McClure et al v. Watson et al

Filing 55

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER that defts' 33 MOTION for Summary Judgment is hereby GRANTED; judgment will be entered accordingly. Signed by Judge Susan Webber Wright on 3/28/13. (vjt)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
WESTERN DIVISION
JERRY MCCLURE, DAMIEON F.
JACKSON, IRA NICHOLSON, GREGORY
HIGGINS, BOB H. MILSAP, ANTHONY
OATES, BRIEN HARRIS, JAMES
CLEVELAND, DEMETRIUS CHISM,
CAROLYN CRAIG, KEM AUSTIN,
DARRELL DAVIS, BERNARD ROSEBY,
DENIOUS HOUSTON, CALVIN CARTER,
ROY DANIELS, RANDY CHAPMAN,
MALACHI HARSHAW, and FREDERICK
WILLIAMS,
Plaintiffs,

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vs.
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DR. LINDA WATSON, Individually and in
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her Official Capacity as Superintendent of
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Schools of the Little Rock School District;
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LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT;
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LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD *
OF EDUCATION; WAYNE ADAMS,
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Individually and in his Official Capacity as
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Director of Maintenance and Operations of
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the LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT; and *
KEVIN YARBERRY, Individually and in his *
Official Capacity as Supervisor of
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Maintenance and Operations of the Little
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Rock School District,
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Defendants.
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No. 4:10CV01172 SWW

Memorandum Opinion and Order

Before the Court is defendants’ motion for summary judgment to which plaintiffs
responded. Defendants filed a reply to the response and plaintiffs filed a surreply. For the
reasons stated below, the Court finds the motion for summary judgment should be granted.

I.
Plaintiffs are African Americans who work in the Maintenance and Operations
Department (“MOD”) of the Little Rock School District (“LRSD”). The MOD operates out of a
warehouse located at 3601 South Bryant Street in Little Rock. The MOD is responsible for the
physical maintenance of the buildings and grounds owned by the LRSD as well as the LRSD’s
fleet of vehicles. This includes maintenance of the heating and air systems, the plumbing, the
electrical systems, alarm systems, and the door and locks.1
Separate defendant Wayne Adams has been the Director of MOD since 2006. Separate
defendant Kevin Yarberry was employed by the District from 2008 to November 2011 as the
Maintenance Supervisor. Employees of the LRSD are paid on a salary scale. Each position
within the LRSD is assigned a salary class or salary grade. That grade is approved by the LRSD
Board of Directors and is based on the skill required for the position and the complexity of the
job duties.2 In the MOD, employees are paid pursuant to five classifications. In descending
order, they are: foreman, trade specialist, trade, trade helper, and labor.3
Plaintiffs allege the LRSD operates the MOD in a racially discriminatory manner and
that the LRSD Board of Directors is aware of the MOD’s unlawful practices and refuses to
correct the situation. They claim the warehouse is divided into separate sections for the white
and black employees, that the two out of ten black foremen supervise racially identifiable work
crews, and that white employees earn higher pay, better benefits, and more opportunity for

1

Defs.’ Statement of Material Facts Not in Dispute and Pls.’ Response [docket entries 35 & 38] at

¶ 1.
2

Id. at ¶¶ 2-4.

3

Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex I (Adams Aff.) at ¶ 10.

2

advancement. They complain black employees get inferior equipment, that hiring is based on
subjective job qualifications, and that black employees have greater education and experience
than white employees. Plaintiffs also assert individual claims alleging denial of promotions,
demotions, and discriminatory pay based on race.4
Defendants move for summary judgment, arguing plaintiffs fail to establish a prima
facie case of race discrimination for disparate treatment, fail to present evidence that defendants’
stated reasons are a pretext for intentional discrimination, and fail to establish they were
subjected to a hostile work environment.
II.
Standard of Review
Summary judgment is appropriate when “the pleadings, depositions, answers to
interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no
genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter
of law.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). As a prerequisite to summary judgment, a moving party must
demonstrate “an absence of evidence to support the non-moving party’s case.” Celotex Corp. v.
Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 325 (1986). Once the moving party has properly supported its motion for
summary judgment, the non-moving party must “do more than simply show there is some
metaphysical doubt as to the material facts.” Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp.,
475 U.S. 574, 586 (1986). The non-moving party may not rest on mere allegations or denials of
his or her pleading but must “come forward with ‘specific facts showing that there is a genuine

4

Plaintiff McClure is the only plaintiff who alleged he was subjected to a hostile work
environment. Compl. at ¶ 15a. He does not challenge defendants’ motion for summary judgment on his
hostile work environment claim.

3

issue for trial.’” Id. at 587 (quoting Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e)). Summary judgment “is a useful pretrial
tool to determine whether any case, including one alleging discrimination, merits a trial.”
Torgerson v. City of Rochester, 643 F.3d 1031, 1043 (8th Cir. 2011).
III.
A plaintiff in an employment action may survive a motion for summary judgment by
presenting direct evidence indicating unlawful discrimination or by creating an inference of
unlawful discrimination under the burden-shifting analysis set out in McDonnell Douglas Corp.
v. Green, 411 U.S. 792 (1973).5 Under McDonnell Douglas, a plaintiff must first establish a
prima facie case of discrimination. To meet his burden, a plaintiff must show the following: (1)
that he is a member of a protected class; (2) that he was meeting the employer’s legitimate job
expectations; (3) that he suffered an adverse employment action; and (4) that similarly situated
employees outside the protected class were treated differently. Takele v. Mayo Clinic, 576 F.3d
834, 838 (8th Cir. 2009); Gibson v. Am. Greetings Corp., 670 F.3d 844, 853-4 (8th Cir. 2012). If
the plaintiff succeeds in establishing a prima facie case, the burden shifts to the employer to
articulate a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for its actions. Id. at 802. If it does so, the
burden of production shifts back to the plaintiff to show that the employer’s reason is pretext for
unlawful discrimination. Id. The burden of proof remains at all times with the plaintiff to
establish that he or she was the victim of unlawful discrimination. St. Mary’s Honor Ctr. v.
Hicks, 509 U.S. 502 (1993). With this analysis in mind, the Court addresses each plaintiff’s
claims separately and then their general complaints about work conditions.

5

The Eighth Circuit analyzes Title VII and §§ 1981 and 1983 claims under the same framework.
Humphries v. Pulaski County Special Sch. Dist., 580 F.3d 688, 692 n.3 (8th Cir. 2009).

4

Jerry McCLure
Plaintiff Jerry McClure began working in the LRSD in 1985 as the assistant head
custodian at Hall High School. He worked at Hall High until 1987 when he was promoted to
building engineer at J.A. Fair High School. In approximately 1996, McClure was promoted to a
position in the heating and air department. Plaintiff McClure worked in that job for about one
year.6
In approximately 1999, McClure was promoted to mechanical preventative maintenance
foreman. He testified he supervised the building engineers of the LRSD’s five high schools and
two of its middle schools. He said he supervised as many as thirteen people in his position from
July 1999 to January 22, 2010. In 2008, McClure applied for the maintenance and materials
supervisor position in the MOD. Among the qualifications listed were at least five years of
supervisory experience and experience with a computerized multi-site work-order, preventative
maintenance, utilities, and planning system.7 Separate defendant Adams interviewed McClure
during the first round of interviews. Mr. Adams testified the LRSD was looking to enhance
energy management, specifically the ability to control the HVAC systems in the schools through
computerization. Mr. Adams said he had no knowledge that McClure possessed experience in
an energy management utility system.8 Mr. Adams interviewed all LRSD employees who
applied for the position whether they possessed the requisite supervisory experience or not.
Mr. Adams hired separate defendant Kevin Yarberry for the position. Mr. Yarberry had

6

Defs.’ Statement of Material Facts Not in Dispute , ¶¶ 5-8.

7

Id. at ¶ 11.

8

Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. K (Adams Dep.) at 75-76.

5

worked as a facilities manager for St. Vincent Hospital. His duties at the hospital included
maintaining automation controls for HVAC, lighting, and power plant equipment. Separate
defendant Yarberry testified he was responsible for managing various aspects and facilities for
all the hospital’s properties and clinics.9 Plaintiff McClure alleges his objective qualifications
exceeded those of Yarberry, and that McClure was entitled to preference because of the LRSD’s
practice of promoting from within. He claims defendants denied him the position because of his
race.
Mr. McClure filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (“EEOC”) on January 22, 2010. He complained that on December 1, 2009,
Yarberry informed him that he needed to move McClure to another office to make space for
some computer equipment. Mr. McClure said he had occupied his office since 2003 and that
Yarberry’s decision to move him to a smaller office and give McClure’s office to Yarberry’s
newly-hired friend, Mike Ellis, a white male, was based on race.10
Plaintiff McClure further complains that on January 22, 2010, Yarberry informed him
that he was assigning McClure to be the foreman of a newly organized preventative maintenance
crew. Mr. McClure alleges this reassignment was a constructive demotion and was in retaliation
for filing his EEOC charge.11
After January 22, 2010, McClure’s new assignment included supervising a team of three

9

Id, Ex. BB (Yarberry Dep.) at 9.

10

Id., Ex. F (McClure’s EEOC Charge); Pls.’Resp. in Opp’n. to Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 1 (McClure
Aff.) at ¶ 6.
11

Compl. at ¶ 15.

6

employees, Damieon Jackson, Richard Buckalew, and Janine Houston. This new crew, which
Yarberry referred to as the “tiger crew,” was in charge of cleaning all mechanical rooms and
electrical closets within the LRSD pursuant to a directive of the Arkansas Department of
Education. Mr. McClure’s crew also was to make all necessary repairs to ballasts, ceiling tiles,
and junction box covers. The new crew also was instructed to document all leaks and other
safety hazards including drive belt covers, fire extinguisher covers and unlocked doors and other
needed repairs.12 Plaintiff McClure said Houston, who is white, later was transferred back to
the paint crew, and after February 18, 2010, Buckalew, who is white, never reported to work
with McClure’s crew. When McClure complained in March 2010, that he was short-handed
because of Buckalew’s absence, Yarberry told him he would get another worker to replace
Buckalew. A few days later, Yarberry told McClure he had changed his mind and that
Buckalew would not be replaced. Plaintiff McClure says that in the meantime, Harold Jump, the
foreman of the civil preventative maintenance crew and a white male, had two additional men
added to his already all-white crew.13 On March 11, 2010 , McClure amended his EEOC charge
to include a retaliation claim.14
Denial of Promotion
Defendants argue they are entitled to summary judgment on McClure’s claim that he was
denied a promotion to the maintenance and material supervisor position because of race. They
assert he cannot establish a prima facie case because he cannot show that he was qualified for

12

Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. J (Yarberry Aff.) at ¶¶ 6-9.

13

Pls.’ Resp. in Opp’n. to Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 1 (McClure Aff.) at ¶¶ 3-4.

14

Id. at ¶ 5.

7

the position. Further, even if he could establish a prima facie case, McClure cannot show
pretext.
The evidence establishes that two important qualifications for the supervisor position
were at least five years of supervisory experience and experience with a computerized multi-site
work order, preventative maintenance, utilities, and planning system. Defendants contend
McClure lacked supervisory experience. They argue that even though McClure testified he
supervised as many as thirteen building engineers in his position as preventative maintenance
foreman, the building engineers worked in their respective schools while McClure worked
primarily from his truck and later from an office at the MOD.15 Defendants point out that
McClure argued he did not supervise Jeneen Housdon16 in practice in part because she, like the
building engineers, worked at locations away from him.17 Mr. McClure testified he did
performance evaluations on the building engineers but was not responsible for disciplining
them.18 Defendants submit evidence which shows that the performance appraisals for eight
building engineers completed during the time period from 1999-2007 were signed by Yarberry’s
predecessor, Steve Hayes. Those appraisals were reviewed by MOD director Wayne Adams or
his predecessor Douglas Eaton.19 Effective July 1, 2007, school principals assumed direct

15

Defs.’ Reply Br. in Supp. Mot. Summ. J., Ex. X-1 (McClure Dep.) at 53-4, 138.

16

Yarberry identified Housdon as “Janine Houston” while McClure calls her “Jeneen Housdon.”
Pls.’ Add’l Genuine Issues of Material Facts (doc. 41) at ¶12 and Pls.’ Resp. in Opp’n to Mot. Summ. J.,
Ex. 1 (McClure Aff.) at ¶ 3.
17

Pls.’ Resp. in Opp’n to Mot.Summ.J., Ex 1 (McClure Aff.) at ¶ 3.

18

Defs.’ Reply Br. in Supp.M.Summ.J., Ex. X-1 (McClure Dep.) at 34.

19

Id., Exs. EE, FF, GG, HH, II, JJ, KK, and LL.

8

supervision of the building engineers assigned to their schools.20 Defendants argue that because
McClure did not evaluate or discipline the building engineers or formally supervise them, he
cannot show he possessed five years supervisory experience which was a required qualification.
In reply, McClure presents quarterly observations prepared for a building engineer named John
Payne dated from 2003 to 2006 and initialed by McClure as evidence that he supervised building
engineers.21 He also submits letters from several building engineers who wrote about their
experiences with McClure as their supervisor.
Defendants further argue that at the time of his interview, McClure did not demonstrate
that he had skill or experience in HVAC and utilities automation or controls. Mr. McClure
testified that the resume he submitted with his application for the supervisor position did not
include all of his relevant work experience.22 When asked what was not included in his resume,
McClure gave three examples of some of his job duties that were left off his resume. He testified
that when he became assistant head custodian at Hall High School in 1985, he supervised at least
30 to 40 people. He said that the head custodian or the school’s administration was responsible
for performance evaluations.23 Mr. McClure said his resume did not reflect that he taught
himself to use a multi-task order system that he utilized from a laptop and printer in his work
truck.24 He testified that he learned the system on his own when he worked at Fair High School

20

Id., Ex. MM.

21

Pls.’ Surreply in Opp’n to Mot. Summ. J., Ex. A.

22

Defs.’ Reply Br. in Supp. Mot. Summ. J., Ex. X-1 (McClure Dep.) at 136.

23

Id. at 137.

24

Id. at 138.

9

because he tried to stay on top of his craft even though “the school district did not provide [him]
with what [he] needed at times.”25 Lastly, McClure testified his resume did not reflect that he
worked with HVAC for a year and “got better acquainted with the way the school district
handles their heating and air work.”26
In an affidavit filed in response to defendants’ motion for summary judgment, McClure
says he learned the same multi-task work order system during a work-related in-service while
working as a foreman under Steve Hayes. Mr. McClure also states in his affidavit that he had
experience doing utilities automation in the 1990s while he was a building engineer at J.A. Fair
High School.27 Defendants point out that McClure did not mention this during his deposition
when he was asked about relevant work experience that does not appear on the resume. In fact,
McClure testified that Adams “knows nothing about what I know”28 but McClure further
testified that between his resume and his interview with Adams, all his qualifications were made
known.29
Even if McClure would establish a prima facie case of discrimination, defendants state
Yarberry was hired because he was more qualified. Separate defendant Yarberry testified he had
experience with maintaining automatic controls for building systems, including the hospital’s

25

Id. at 139.

26

Id.

27

Pls.’ Resp. in Opp’n to Defs.’ Mot. Summ.J., Ex. 1 (McClure Aff.) at ¶ 2.

28

Defs.’ Reply Br. in Supp. Mot.Summ.J., Ex. X-1 (McClure Dep.) at 138.

29

Pls.’ Resp. in Opp’n to Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 2 (McClure Dep.) at 143.

10

HVAC, lighting , and power plant equipment.30 Adams testified he had no evidence at the time
he interviewed McClure that he had substantial experience with computerized work order
systems or experience with computerized energy/utility management.31 Mr. McClure argues
Adams should have been aware of McClure’s qualifications because Adams had worked in the
MOD since 1983 and had been the director since 2006. The Court finds McClure presents no
evidence from which a jury could find that Adams’ decision not to promotion McClure was
based on his race. The evidence is undisputed that Adams believed Yarberry had more
experience in computerized utilities/energy management than McClure.
Constructive Demotion
Plaintiff McClure asserts that his re-assignment from supervising building engineers to
supervising a preventative maintenance crew was a constructive demotion based on illegal
discrimination. The Court analyzes a constructive demotion claim in the same way as a
constructive discharge claim. Fenney v. Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern R. Co., 327 F.3d 707, 717
(8th Cir. 2003). “A plaintiff claiming constructive discharge must show that a reasonable person
would have found the conditions of employment intolerable and that the employer either
intended to force the employee to resign or could have reasonably foreseen that the employee
would do so as a result of its actions. Additionally the plaintiff must subjectively perceive the
environment to be abusive.” Id. (internal citations and quotation omitted). Mr. McClure presents
no evidence that a reasonable person would have considered the conditions of his new
assignment intolerable. He remained a foreman in charge of a three person crew responsible for

30

Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. BB (Yarberry Dep.) at 11.

31

Defs.’ Reply Br. in Supp. Mot. Summ. J., Ex. K (Adams Dep.) at 74-5.

11

maintenance and repairs. There is no evidence that the reassignment was intended to cause
McClure to resign. According to Yarberry, there was a “redundancy in the supervision with the
building engineers in that the respective principals have direct supervision of these individuals”
and McClure’s talents and experience were “underutilized.”32 The Court finds defendants are
entitled to summary judgment on McClure’s constructive demotion claim.33
Retaliation
Plaintiff McClure alleges his reassignment was in retaliation for his filing an EEOC
charge of discrimination over Yarberry’s decision to move him out of his office. To establish a
retaliation claim, a plaintiff must show that he suffered an adverse employment action.
“‘An adverse employment action is a tangible change in working conditions that produces a
material employment disadvantage.’ This might include ‘[t]ermination, cuts in pay or benefits,
and changes that affect an employee's future career prospects,’ as well as ‘circumstances
amounting to a constructive discharge.’ ‘Minor changes in duties or working conditions, even
unpalatable or unwelcome ones, which cause no materially significant disadvantage, do not’ rise
to the level of an adverse employment action.” Clegg v. Arkansas Dept. of Correction, 496 F.3d
922, 926 -927 (8th Cir. 2007)(internal citations omitted). Mr. McClure fails to establish his
reassignment was an adverse employment action.
Further, McClure fails to show a causal connection between his reassignment and his
EEOC charge. There is no evidence Yarberry was aware on the morning of Friday, January 22,

32

Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. J (Yarberry Aff.), Ex. 1.

33

To the extent he asserts such a claim, the Court finds McClure fails to present evidence to
support a finding that Yarberry’s decision to move him to a smaller office was a constructive demotion.

12

2010, that McClure had filed an EEOC charge that same Friday afternoon after McClure’s shift
had ended. Even if, as McClure says, Yarberry informed McClure of his reassignment on the
following Monday, January 25, 2010, there is no evidence that Yarberry or anyone with the
LRSD received notice of the charge McClure had filed the Friday before.
Even if McClure could establish a prima facie case of retaliation, defendants have come
forward with a legitimate reason for creating the new preventative maintenance crew. According
to Yarberry’s letter dated January 22, 2010, he wanted to “start a more comprehensive and
practical approach to the way this department maintains this districts[’] facilities, particularly the
school buildings.”34 As stated previously, since 2007, school principals have been charged with
supervising the building engineers assigned to their schools.
As to McClure’s claim that Yarberry’s failure to replace a member of his preventative
maintenance crew was in retaliation for filing his EEOC charge, McClure fails to establish that
he suffered an adverse employment action.
Kem Austin
Plaintiff Kem Austin began working for the LRSD in Plant Services in 1987 as a
substitute employee. After working eighteen months as a driver/laborer, Austin got a full-time
job doing custodial work at an elementary school. He now works as a trade specialist and
supervises a six-person crew made up of five blacks and one Hispanic. He complains that he
supervises more people than most of the white foremen and that all the other trade specialists
crews are treated better than his in terms of pay and other conditions of employment. He seeks
“foreman designation, equalization of the work assignments and fair treatment for his minority
34

Defs.’ Mot.Summ.J., Ex. J (Yarberry Aff.), Ex. 2.

13

work crew.” Compl. at ¶ 25.
Plaintiff Austin is paid on a pay grade 51. He testified he has topped out on the pay scale
and that every trade specialist who is at step 20 makes the same amount of money as he. He
testified that when he began working for the LRSD he had to start out at step 1 whereas when
white people were hired, their prior experience was taken into account and they started out in the
middle of the pay scale. Even though no one in the MOD is paid on pay grade 53, Austin
testified he should be paid at a grade 53, the grade at which supervisors formerly were paid. He
said supervisors now are paid on a pay grade 55, that no one in the MOD is paid on a grade 53,
and that “there should be some people that are assistants to the foreman who are on that scale.”35
He admits that prior to filing the lawsuit before the Court, he never requested a change of his job
title to foreman.36
In Chappell v. Bilco Co., 675 F.3d 1110, 1119 (8th Cir. 2012), the Eighth Circuit held that
a plaintiff proves the fourth element of a prima facie case by showing comparators are similarly
situated in all respects. “To be similarly situated, the individuals used for comparison must have
dealt with the same supervisor, have been subject to the same standards, and engaged in the same
conduct without any mitigating or distinguishing circumstances.” Wierman v. Casey’s General
Stores, 638 F.3d 984, 994 (8th Cir. 2011)(internal citation and quotation omitted). Plaintiff
Austin presents no credible evidence that similarly situated white employees are paid at a grade
53, and therefore, he fails to establish a prima facie case of race discrimination as to his pay.
Damieon Jackson

35

Id., Ex. L (Austin Dep.) at 26.

36

Pls.’ Br. in Supp. Resp. to Mot. Summ. J. at 12.

14

Plaintiff Damieon Jackson started working for the LRSD in 1991 as a substitute on the
mechanics’ crew. On the mechanics crew, he delivered weed eaters, lawn mowers, trucks and
vacuums to schools throughout the LRSD. After working as a substitute for about three years,
Jackson became a permanent employee and began working on the paint crew as a trade helper.
After about one year, Jackson was promoted to trade employee where he worked on the
preventative maintenance crew under foreman Harold Jumper.37
He alleges that in late 2009, defendants Adams and Yarberry moved him from a
preventative maintenance lock crew where he was the only black employee to the boiler room
crew that was headed by McClure. Plaintiff Jackson alleges that by moving him, defendants
demoted him and “created a five person all white section called the ‘p.m. crew’ . . .”

38

He

asserts the move was a demotion because he would have had an opportunity to move up in the
lock crew when a locksmith, Fred Cato, retired in 2011. He says he applied for the locksmith job
in 2004 but Cato, a white person, was selected. Plaintiff Jackson believes he was not selected
because of his race.39 Plaintiff Jackson admits that the last position for which he formally
applied was locksmith in 2004 and that the claim is time-barred.40
As noted, Jackson claims defendants’ decision to transfer him from the lock crew denied
him an opportunity to advance to Cato’s locksmith position. He testified that Glenn Robinson, a

37

Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. W (Jackson Dep.) at 5, 9-10.

38

Compl., ¶ 17.

39

Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. W (Jackson Dep.) at 30-31.

40

Pls.’ Br. in Supp. Resp. to Mot. Summ. J., at 12.

15

white employee who was on the “pm” or preventative maintenance crew, replaced Cato.41
However, Adams said Cato’s locksmith position was eliminated after he retired and his duties
were absorbed by the remaining members of the preventative maintenance crew.42
To establish a prima facie case of discrimination for a failure-to-promote claim, a
plaintiff must show he was qualified and applied for a position and that a similarly-situated
employee, not a part of the protected group, was promoted instead. Jackson v. United Parcel
Serv., 643 F.3d 1081, 1086 (8th Cir. 2011). Because Jackson cannot establish that he applied for
an available position and that the position was filled by someone outside the protected class, his
denial of opportunity/failure-to-promote claim fails .
Bob H. Milsap
Plaintiff Bob H. Milsap is employed in the MOD as a small engine mechanic. He is a
trade specialist and his salary for the 2011-12 school year was $51,504.00.43 He was first
employed by the LRSD in 1979 as a laborer. In 1997, he began working in the “black mechanic
department.”44 His supervisor was LeMon McCoy, who retired in 2009. Plaintiff Milsap alleges
he was next in line to succeed McCoy as foreman, and was interviewed for the position. He
alleges defendants decided to leave the position vacant and reassigned Milsap to work under
Yarberry. Plaintiff Milsap complains that when white supervisors are reassigned, retire, or die,
they are replaced by a white person, but the same does not happen when the supervisor is black.

41

Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. W (Jackson Dep.) at 15.

42

Id., Ex. I (Adams Aff.) at ¶ 6.

43

Id., Ex. G (Milsap Contract)..

44

Compl. at ¶ 19.

16

He claims defendants’ decision not to replace McCoy was racially motivated.45
Defendant Adams states he decided not to fill McCoy’s position because the mechanics
department had only four employees and instead of hiring a supervisor, Adams hired another
mechanic, Jody Castleberry. Mr. Castleberry is a certified mechanic and his position is a grade
51, the same as Milsap’s. Mr. McCoy’s position was a grade 54. Defendant Adams said his
decision was based on cost savings. He points out that he also decided not to fill an electrical
foreman position after the person holding that position resigned in 2010.46
Plaintiff Milsap asserts he was the most qualified person for the foreman position because
he had the most years of experience. He argues Adams’ cost-savings rationale for eliminating
the foreman position is not credible because in a memo written in January 2010, when he sought
approval of a request to eliminate the foreman position and replace it with a mechanic trade
specialist, Adams did not mention saving money but instead said approval of the request would
allow him to fully staff the crew.47 Plaintiff Milsap argues these reasons conflict and are
evidence of pretext.48 Defendants respond that Yarberry’s testimony that the actual machine
work Castleberry performed was no different than the work McCoy had performed, including
working on heavy equipment, shows that Adams’ decision was based on cost savings. The
newly-hired Castleberry performed the same work as the former foreman McCoy at a lower
classification and for less money.

45

Id.

46

Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. I (Adams Aff.), ¶¶ 7-9.

47

Pls.’ Resp. in Opp. to Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 6 (Adams Dep.), Exs. 2-4).

48

Pls.’ Br. in Supp. of Resp. to Mot. Summ. J. at 14.

17

The Court finds Milsap fails to present credible evidence that defendants’ stated reasons
for eliminating the foreman position were pretextual and that the real reason was to deny him a
promotion because of his race.
Ira Nicholson
Plaintiff Nicholson has worked for the LRSD since 1991. He was hired as a substitute
custodian; now he is employed as a custodian at the MOD facility where his responsibilities
include washing mops and cleaning the warehouse and offices. He sometimes substitutes for
custodians in the schools. He complains defendants did not afford him an opportunity for
promotion in spite of his successful job performance, but concedes he did not formally apply for
a promotion. 49
He also alleges defendants discriminated against him by paying him less than a
comparator, Mary Robinson, but submits no evidence to support his allegation. See Chappell,
supra, 675 F.3d at 1119; Wierman, supra, 638 F3d at 994 (“individuals used for comparison
must have dealt with the same supervisor, have been subject to the same standards, and engaged
in the same conduct without any mitigating or distinguishing circumstances”). The Court finds
defendants are entitled to summary judgment as a matter of law on Nicholson’s race
discrimination claim.
Brien Harris
Plaintiff Brien Harris is employed by the LRSD as a laborer/driver in the MOD. He is
responsible for deliveries, small engine repairs, and regular mechanical work. His position is
classified as a grade 40. The District is paying his tuition for courses he is taking that will lead
49

Id. at 12-13.

18

to a certificate in automotive technology. Plaintiff Harris testified he was told he would get a
trade specialist job when he gets his certificate.
In 2009, when LeMon McCoy retired, defendants decided to hire a trade specialist and
Harris applied for the position. Defendants hired Joseph Castleberry, a white man, who is a
certified auto mechanic with thirteen years experience as an auto mechanic. Plaintiff Harris
alleges defendants denied him the promotion because of his race. He complains that the
defendants have a practice of employing white persons from outside the LRSD into trade or trade
specialist position and then providing them with education, if necessary. On the other hand,
Harris says, defendants require black employees to have prior training before placing them in
trade or trade specialist positions.
Defendants argue their reasons for hiring Castleberry are his experience and his
certification. While Harris’s only mechanical experience is in the MOD with small engines like
lawn mowers, weed eaters, and leaf blowers, Castleberry is certified in Hunter brakes/wheel
alignment, engine maintenance, brake maintenance, electrical maintenance, and engine
overhaul/rebuilds. Plaintiff Harris responds that the position announcement did not require any
kind of certification or license nor did it mention experience with heavy equipment. Further,
Harris testified that his regular mechanical work includes repairs on truck engines,50 that he has
been performing these duties for fourteen years at the LRSD and, therefore, he is more qualified
than Castleberry.
The fact that a plaintiff “may have been capable of filling the role of [the position], or
that he has specific strengths as a candidate, does not show pretext.” Barber v. C1 Truck Driver
50

Pls.’ Resp. in Opp’n. to Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 7 at 7.

19

Training, LLC, 656 F.3d 782, 793 (8th Cir. 2011). “To support a finding of pretext, [the
applicant] must show that the [employer] hired a less qualified applicant.” Torgerson v. City of
Rochester, 643 F.3d 1031, 1049 (8th Cir. 2011)(quotations omitted and emphasis in original).
See also Pierce v. Marsh, 859 F.2d 601, 604 (8th Cir.1988) (“The mere existence of comparable
qualifications between two applicants ... alone does not raise an inference of racial
discrimination.”). The Court finds Harris comes forward with no evidence that defendants’
stated reasons for hiring Castleberry are a pretext for unlawful discrimination.
Demetrius Chism
Plaintiff Demetrius Chism was first employed by the LRSD in 1999 as a laborer/driver.
He now works as a concrete helper allegedly without the title “trade helper.” He testified his
typical day consists of cutting trees and moving furniture in and out of classrooms. He says he
works with plumbers and carpenters and helps with concrete jobs, such as installing benches on
playgrounds. Plaintiff Chism testified he does concrete work about one day out of five; the other
four days he moves furniture in and out of schools, cuts down trees, runs the tractors, digs up
stumps, puts tables together, and does anything else that needs to be done.51 As described by
Chism, his duties are substantially similar to the duties performed by other laborer/drivers.52 He
complains that defendants refuse to upgrade his job title and pay to reflect the work he performs.
Plaintiff Chism testified he applied for a carpentry position in 2005 or 2006 but
defendants hired a white person named Richard. He said he applied for a position on the

51

Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. O (Chism Dep.).

52

Id., Ex. P (Craig Dep.) at 9; Ex. Q (Daniels Dep.) at 10, 12, 16; Ex. R (Davis Dep.) at 4; Ex. T
(Harshaw Dep.) at 5-6; and Ex. V (Houston Dep.) at 6.

20

preventative maintenance crew in 2006 or 2007 but did not get the job. Lastly, he testified he
applied for a trade-level concrete position in 2007, that was filled by Gregory Higgins, a fellow
plaintiff.
Plaintiff Chism admits he did not formally make an application for a carpenter position
within the applicable statute of limitations.53 As to the preventative maintenance position, he
offers no evidence as to who got the job or whether the position was filled. The concrete
position was filled by Higgins, a member of the same protected class. Further, Chism offers no
evidence that similarly-situated white person performing the work of a laborer/driver have the
title and pay of trade helper. The Court finds Chism presents no evidence from which a
reasonable jury could find defendants unlawfully discriminated against him.
Carolyn Craig
Plaintiff Carolyn Craig has been employed by the LRSD in the MOD as a laborer/driver
since 1993. She is part of the labor crew which performs odd jobs such as moving furniture,
tearing down furniture, painting, hauling trees off and things of that nature. She worked on the
grounds crew and as a team leader on the grounds crew. She had to transfer to the labor crew
because of severe allergies. Her job duties on the labor crew have remained consistent
throughout her employment.
Plaintiff Craig alleges she applied for the position as custodian supervisor in 2006, was
interviewed, but did not get the job. She says the job has remained vacant and although she has
consistently sought to fill the position, Yarberry told her in 2009 that there was no money in the
budget for the position. She alleges Yarberry hired a friend of his, Michael Ellis, as a control
53

Pls.’ Br. in Supp. of Resp. in Opp’n to Mot. Summ. J. at 12.

21

specialist, a position that did not previously exist. She claims Ellis is paid a salary substantially
greater than hers and he also receives a travel stipend.54 Plaintiff Craig testified she does not
know what Ellis does for the LRSD55 but she believes she was denied the supervisor position
because she is black. She also complains that she should be paid ay the trade level position.
According to Adams, Ellis is a controls technician for the HVAC department and
monitors and operates all of the computerized heating and air systems in the schools.56 His
position is not similar to the custodial supervisor position. Hiring Ellis for a position that is not
similar to the custodial supervisor position does not create a genuine issue of material fact as to
whether the stated reasons for not filling the supervisor position is a pretext for race
discrimination. The Court finds Craig fail to establish a genuine issue of material fact as to
whether she was denied the supervisor position because of her race. There is no evidence that
the position was ever filled or that the reason advanced for not filling the position, budgetary
concerns, is a pretext for discrimination.57 Likewise, Craig presents no evidence of
discrimination in the title and pay assigned to her work for the LRSD.
Anthony Oates
The LRSD hired Anthony Oates in 1998 as a custodian. He transferred to the MOD in
1999 as a trade helper in the plumbing department. Initially, Oates worked with another
plumber. In 1999, Oates began attending classes to get his plumbing license. The LRSD paid
54

Compl. at ¶ 23a.

55

Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. P (Craig Dep.) at 20-21.

56

Id, Ex. K (Adams Dep.) at 45-46.

57

Plaintiff Craig admits that her allegation that she was denied a warehouse specialist position is
time-barred. Pls.’ Br. in Resp. to Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J. at 15.

22

for his schooling the first time he took the exam. He paid for his own classes the second time.
In approximately 2004, Oates finished school and got his plumber’s apprentice license.58
There are three other plumbers in the plumbing department. Two are white and hold
master plumber’s licenses and the third, Roger Collins, is black. Plaintiff Oates does not believe
Collins has an apprentice license. In 2009, Oates’s position was reclassified from trade helper to
tradesman. He complains he should have been classified as a tradesman as soon as he got his
apprentice license in 2004 and defendants failure to do so was because of his race. He further
alleges white employees were assigned directly into trade specialist positions and are paid more
than he.
Plaintiff Oates fails to establish a claim for discrimination. There is no evidence that
plumbers are automatically promoted to tradesman position upon obtaining apprentice licenses.
The two white plumbers hold superior licenses to his, and Oates cannot show that any white
employee who holds an inferior license in any trade is paid more than he. Employees in other
trades who hold positions as trade specialists are not similarly situated to those in the plumbing
trade.
Randy Chapman59
Plaintiff Randy Chapman has been employed by the LRSD for approximately sixteen
years as a laborer/driver.60 He alleges defendants have not paid him commensurate with the
58

Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. Z (Oates Dep.) at 5; Pls.’ Resp. to Defs’Statement of Material Facts
Not in Dispute at ¶¶ 148-151.
59

The Complaint lists Randy “Chatman” as a plaintiff. However, at his deposition, “Chatman”
identified himself as Randy Chapman. The Court, therefore, directs the Clerk to correct the spelling of
Randy Chapman’s name in the style of the case.
60

Defs.’ Mot.Summ.J., Ex. N (Chapman Dep.) at 4.

23

work assignments he performs.61 He describes a typical day as going from one school to
another, hauling trash, patching holes in a blacktop parking lot, and replacing signs in a parking
lot.62
Defendants argue Chapman’s pay claim is nothing more than an attack on the LRSD’s
legitimate business decision to set the pay scale for its laborer/drivers. Plaintiff Chapman
presents no evidence that a similar situated white employee is paid more for performing the same
or similar duties. The Court finds Chapman fails to establish a genuine issue of material fact that
defendants acted in a discriminatory manner in setting his pay.
Malachi Harshaw
Plaintiff Harshaw has worked for the LRSD for about twelve years as a laborer/driver.
He testified he performs different duties, from cutting trees, to moving furniture, to working on
playground equipment.63 He claims he gets paid less for what he does and does a lot of work for
which he is not paid. He complains defendants will not change his title so that he can get paid
more.64
Plaintiff Harshaw fails to come forward with any evidence that the LRSD pays similarly
situated white employees more for performing the same duties as he. Therefore, the Court finds

61

Although he alleged in the complaint that he was denied promotions, Chapman concedes that he
did not formally apply for a promotion within the applicable statute of limitations. Pls.’ Br. in Supp. of
Resp. to Mot. Summ. J. at 12.
62

Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. N (Chapman Dep.) at 7-8.

63

Id., Ex. T(Harshaw Dep.) at 5-6.

64

Id. at 10-11.

24

defendants are entitled to judgment as a matter of law on Harshaw’s race discrimination claim.65
Roy Daniels
Plaintiff Roy Daniels testified he has been working as a laborer/driver for the LRSD for
eleven years. He typically drives a pick-up truck to perform assignments such as cutting trees
and moving pea gravel and cross timbers. Sometimes he drives a larger truck for hauling
furniture.66 He testified that in 2008 he talked to Steve Hayes, Yarberry’s predecessor, about a
carpenter trade helper’s position and that Hayes told him he did not have to apply for the
positions because Hayes said “he had me.”67 Plaintiff Daniels testified Hayes claimed the
position was phased out but Daniels says Hayes hired a white person whose name he does not
recall, who was not around for a long time, and was not replaced.68
According to defendants, the LRSD’s policy is to advertise all positions it chooses to fill
and an employee will not be considered for a vacancy unless he applies for it.69 Separate
defendant Adams states that since he became an employee of the LRSD in 1983, the MOD has
never had a carpenter trade helper’s position. The last time there was a vacant position in the
carpentry department was in January 2005 when Richard Collier was promoted from his
carpentry trade position to carpentry trade specialist.70 Any claim that Daniels may have had to

65

Plaintiff Harshaw admits he has not formally applied for a promotion within the applicable
statute of limitations. Pls.’ Br. in Supp. of Resp. to Mot. Summ. J.at 12.
66

Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. Q (Daniels Dep.) at 5, 10, 12.

67

Id. at 6.

68

Id. at 7.

69

Id., Ex. I (Adams Aff.) at ¶12.

70

Id. at ¶¶ 13-14.

25

those positions in 2005 are time-barred.
Plaintiff Daniels also alleges defendants treat him unfairly as to his job title and pay, yet
he submits no evidence that defendants pay or award different job titles to white employees who
are performing similar duties. The Court finds plaintiff fails to establish evidence of a prima
facie case of discrimination.
Gregory Higgins
Plaintiff Gregory Higgins has been employed by the LRSD since 2005 as a brick cement
finisher. For the 2011-12 school year, he was paid at grade 49, step 12. He is considered a
tradesman and his job duties include brick laying, cement finisher, plastering, and tile setting.
He works in the labor department of the MOD. When there is no mason work to perform,
Higgins assists the labor crew. There are no other brick layers, cement finishers or masons
employed by the LRSD.71 He complains his classification does not reflect his skills as a
bricklayer and that defendants should raise his job classification to trade specialist. He testified
that when he worked in the union, he was classified as a journeyman bricklayer, which is on the
top of the pay scale. He said he thought the LRSD was hiring him at the highest scale.72
Plaintiff Higgins compares himself to Jody Castleberry, a white person, who was hired as
an auto mechanic and is paid at the higher, trade specialist rate. Plaintiff Higgins testified that
the LRSD hired a white person as a locksmith and some roofers and paid them as trade
specialists. He complains that the job duties of these white people do not require the skill level

71

Defs.’ Statement of Material Facts Not in Dispute, ¶¶ 71-76.

72

Defs,’ Mot. Summ, J., Ex. U (Higgins Dep.) at 14-15.

26

that he must possess to perform his bricklayer/cement finisher job.73 In response to defendants’
motion for summary judgment, Higgins argues the LRSD classifies some carpenters and painters
as trade specialists and asserts defendants’ decision to classify his position as a tradesman is
racially motivated.
According to employment records filed by defendants, Higgins replaced Kenneth Craig,
who was paid at the same grade as Higgins.74 Although Higgins identifies white employees who
are classified at the higher trade specialist pay grade, there is no evidence that they perform
similar job duties to Higgins, the only mason or bricklayer employed by the LRSD. Of the six
painters and six carpenters to which Higgins compares himself, seven have the same
classification as he does, and two of the three trade specialists in the carpentry department are
black.75 Because he fails to present evidence to show that similarly situated white employees
were paid at a higher grade than he, Higgins cannot establish a prima facie case of race
discrimination. His disagreement with defendants’ classification of his position is not evidence
of discrimination.
Darrell Davis
Plaintiff Darrell Davis has been employed by the LRSD since 1982. He works as a
laborer/driver and his job duties include making repairs around the schools and on the
playgrounds.76 He was interviewed for the position of team leader on the grounds crew and was

73

Id. at 16-17.

74

Id., Ex. C (Craig Employment Record).

75

Defs.’ Reply to Pls.’ Resp., Ex. DD.

76

Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. R (Davis Dep.) at 4.

27

offered the job in June 2007. According to the evidence, Davis wanted to negotiate for a higher
salary, and when he did not timely respond to the offer made, the LRSD withdrew it.77 Plaintiff
Davis presents no evidence that the salary offered was based on race discrimination.
He also testified that he and other members of the labor crew do work similar to
employees in other departments such as preventative maintenance but get paid less money. The
Court finds Davis fails to establish a case of race discrimination as he cannot show he is
similarly situated to white employees who perform the same work and are paid at a higher rate.

Bernard Roseby
Plaintiff Roseby has been employed by the LRSD in the MOD as an electrician since
2000. When he was hired, he worked with another electrician, Richard Buckalew. He worked
with Buckalew for about five years. Since then, he has worked mainly by himself.
Approximately four years after he started as an electrician, Roseby attended school and obtained
an apprentice electrician license. The LRSD paid for Roseby to attend school. Plaintiff Roseby
twice sat for the test to get his journeyman’s license but failed the test both times. His position is
classified as a tradesman.
The three other electricians in the MOD are white. They each hold master or
journeyman electrician licenses and their positions are classified as trade specialist. Plaintiff
Roseby complains that even though he is not certified as an electrician, he has been doing the
work of a journeyman electrician for the past eleven years without receiving the pay of a trade
specialist. He wants to be grandfathered in as a certified electrician and receive the pay of a
77

Id., Ex. D (Letter to Davis); Pls.’ Resp. in Opp. to Mot. Summ. J., Ex. 10 (Davis Dep.).

28

trade specialist. He complains that other employees who work as carpenters and painters have
no licenses or certifications but are classified as trade specialists. He testified that a white
person, Jody Castleberry, who is a mechanic, was hired in as a trade specialist.
Defendants state that the requirements and distinctions of each classification are different
for each trade.78 Some carpenters and some painters are classified as tradesmen and some as
trade specialists. Painters and carpenters are not required to hold licenses. Defendants argue
that in order to be a trade specialist, an electrician in the MOD must have a journeyman license
or a master license. Plaintiff Roseby admits that a specialist in the electrical department is not
the same as a specialist in another department.79
The Court finds there is no evidence that similarly situated persons not in the protected
group are treated more favorably than Roseby. Therefore, defendants are entitled to summary
judgment on Roseby’s claim.
Denious Houston
Plaintiff Denious Houston has been employed at the LRSD as a helper to separate
plaintiff Kem Austin who is an equipment specialist. He complains that when Austin was on
sick leave between September 2009 and March 2010, he filled in for Austin but was not paid for
his work performed outside his labor grade. He claims other similarly situated white employees
were paid for such work.
Plaintiff Houston admits that his work did not change while Austin was on sick leave and

78

Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. I (Adams Aff.) at ¶ 10.

79

Id., Ex. AA (Roseby Dep.) at 13.

29

that he never formally applied for a promotion.80 The Court finds Houston fails to present
evidence that a similarly situated white employee was treated more favorably than he.
Frederick Williams
Plaintiff Frederick Williams alleges he has worked at the LRSD for sixteen years as a
laborer/driver and, in spite of applying on numerous occasions, he has never received a
promotion. He also claims defendants discriminated against him as to his pay and he seeks a
promotion to trade or trade specialist classification.81 Defendants seek summary judgment based
on the fact that Williams has failed to produce any facts in support of his claims of
discrimination. Plaintiff Williams admits he did not show up for his scheduled deposition in this
case and asks that any dismissal of his claims be without prejudice.82. The Court finds
Williams’s claim should be dismissed without prejudice.
Calvin Carter
Plaintiff Calvin Carter, who says he has worked as a paraprofessional and/or computer
technician for the LRSD for about 20 years, complains that in 2003 his salary was cut “for no
legitimate reason.”83 He also alleges that in October 2009, he applied for the position of
electrical foreman in the MOD but did not receive an interview. The position was posted again
in early 2010 and Carter says Yarberry interviewed him prior to the end of the 2009-10 school
year. He said he had a second interview in July of 2010 but has not heard back fromYarberry

80

Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. V (Houston Dep.) at 8, 11-12, 16-17.

81

Compl. at ¶ 33.

82

Pls.’ Br. in Supp. of Resp. in Opp’n to Mot. Summ. J. at 16.

83

Compl. at ¶ 29.

30

whether a decision has been made.84 Plaintiff Carter testified that he does not know who else
applied for the position or whether or not the position was filled.85 He said that based on his
second interview, which was conducted by five people, including Yarberry, Adams, two black
persons, and another person, he believes Adams would have hired him if Yarberry had agreed.
Plaintiff Carter alleges Yarberry put the position on hold because he did not want to fill it with a
black person.86
To the extent Carter claims race discrimination when his salary was cut in 2003, that
claim is barred by the statute of limitations.87 As to his claim that he was denied the electrical
foreman position in 2009 and in 2010 because of his race, Carter presents no evidence that the
position remains unfilled because of race discrimination. Defendants are entitled to summary
judgment as to Carter’s claims.
Working Conditions
Plaintiffs allege the MOD facility is divided into three separate sectors: one is for
employees of whom 47 of 50 are white and is located on the facility’s east side; the second
sector is for employees of whom 47 of 50 are black and is located on the facility’s west side; and
the third sector is in the middle and consists of two parts: (1) the seven-member management
office, which is all white, and several other offices which are mixed but house less than six

84

Compl. at ¶ 29a.

85

Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. M (Carter Dep.) at 21.

86

Id. at 20-22.

87

See Jackson v. Homechoice, Inc., 368 F.3d 997 (8th Cir. 2004)(4-year statute of limitations for
claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1981; Ketchim v. City of West Memphis, 974 F.2d 81 (8th Cir. 1992)(§1983
claims governed by State’s general personal injury statute of limitation, which in Arkansas is three years).

31

people, and (2) the bookkeeping unit which is mostly black.88
Plaintiffs allege the white sector is well-maintained and air-conditioned while the black
sector is not. Plaintiffs allege that historically MOD supervision is racial, with two black
foremen supervising racially identifiable work crews and eight white foremen supervising black
and white work crews.89 Plaintiffs further allege the white sector workers get the new equipment,
including vehicles, while the black sector workers get used equipment.90
Plaintiff McClure testified that the west end of the shop is occupied by the mechanics,
labor and grounds crews.91 It consists mainly of an automotive garage where the MOD’s
mechanics repair LRSD-owned vehicles, including pick-up trucks, dump trucks, and riding
mowers. The mechanics also repair other lawnmowers, weed eaters, and other motorized
equipment in the west end of the maintenance shop. There is also a storage area for the
equipment used by the laborer/driver crew like two-wheelers and flat dollies.92
The west end of the shop contains two offices, one used by the MOD’s four mechanics,
Terry Draper, Jody Castleberry, Brien Harris, and Bob Milsap, and the other by the labor
foreman, Larry Adrow. The west end is where the laborers/drivers and grounds crew tend to
congregate as they await their assignments for the day. They spend most of their day out in the
schools, filling work orders. They typically return to the shop for a lunch break, where they are

88

Compl., ¶8.

89

Id. at ¶¶ 9-10.

90

Id. at ¶ 11.

91

Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex. X (McClure Dep.) at 111.

92

Pls.’ Resp. to Defs.’ Statement of Undisputed Fact, ¶¶ 119-120.

32

free to relax in the lounge area in the east end or “white sector” of the shop and eat lunch. After
lunch, they return to the field to complete work orders. They return to the shop in time to clock
out at 4:00 p.m.93
Between the east and west wings of the shop are the administrative offices of the MOD.
The offices for the plumbing, carpentry, and electrical foremen are located at the east end of the
shop. The east end is where the roofing, plumbing, carpentry, electrical, painting, and HVAC
crews tend to congregate. Like the west end of the shop, the east end contains storage areas for
the tools used by the various crews on the east end. Like the laborer/drivers and grounds crews,
the painters, plumbers, carpenters, electricians, and HVAC are rarely in the shop because they
are out filling work orders. There are white employees on the mechanic crew who work on the
west end of the shop, and there are black employees on the painting, carpentry, plumbing,
electrical, and HVAC crews whose foremen have offices on the east end of the shop. A break
room with a snack machine and flat-screen television is also located on the east end. It is
available for use by any employee of the MOD regardless of his or her work assignment. White
and black employees work alongside each other on a daily basis.94
In each department, the foreman decides which employees are assigned to use a
particular piece of equipment on a daily basis. The foreman also decides when new equipment is
needed. The foreman makes a request to the MOD supervisor for new equipment who usually
approves the request.95

93

Id. at ¶¶ 121-127.

94

Id. at ¶¶ 128-135; Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J., Ex.L (Austin Dep.) at 20.

95

Pls.’ Resp. to Defs.’ Statement of Facts at ¶¶ 136-138.

33

The foreman for the laborer/drivers is Larry Adrow. There are three new pickup trucks
in the labor department. The labor department received the new trucks at the same time the
departments on the east end of the shop received new trucks. One of the new trucks at the east
end of the shop was assigned to plaintiff Anthony Oates. All three new pickup trucks in the
labor department at the west end are assigned to black employees.96 Plaintiff Ira Nicholson, who
cleans the shop, testified that the old trucks get sent down to the mechanics on the west end
where they are repaired and given out. He said sometimes the white employees get some bad
trucks.97 The Court finds plaintiffs have presented no evidence that the physical arrangement of
the MOD facility is unlawfully segregated. They also have presented no evidence that vehicle
assignments are based on race.
Plaintiffs also allege job segregation exists within in the MOD that leads to racial
disparities in pay. They assert there are 85 employees in the MOD. Of the 26 who are trade
specialists, only 5 are black. Since 2007, the MOD has hired five trade specialists and all were
white. Further, there are only 2 black foreman. The other remaining black employees in the
MOD are classified as tradesmen and laborers. All of the 19 employees on the labor and
grounds crew are black except for one white employee and one Hispanic. Plaintiffs argue this is
evidence of racial disparity in compensation.
While statistical evidence may be evidence of discrimination, the plaintiff must also
provide some context or analysis to support the statistics. Chappell v. Bilco Co., 675 F.3d 1110,
1119 n.5 (8th Cir. 2012). In Miller v. Weber, 577 F.2d 75 (8th Cir. 1978), the plaintiff offered

96

Id. at ¶¶ 139-142.

97

Defs.’ Mot. Summ. J. Ex. Y (Nicholson Dep.) at 20.

34

evidence showing that the National Guard had low employment rates for women. The Eighth
Circuit held that the evidence was inadequate to establish plaintiff’s sex discrimination claim:
Statistical analyses can serve as indirect indications of discrimination where all
citizens are on an equal footing. In an employment situation, however, each
member of the general populace is not on an equal footing. To the contrary . . .
‘this is not a case in which it can be assumed that all citizens are fungible for
purposes of determining whether members of a particular class have been
unlawfully excluded.’ It is the plaintiff’s responsibility to produce a meaningful
statistical comparison. She failed to do so here.
Id. at 77. See also Bogren v. Minnesota, 236 F.3d 399, 406 (8th Cir. 2000)(overall generic
employment statistics have little bearing on issue of pretext).
The Court finds plaintiffs fail to come forward with evidence supporting their claim that
defendants engage in race discrimination in their hiring or salary decisions. Plaintiffs do not
show that there are similarly situated white employees who receive more favorable treatment.
IV.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that defendants’ motion for summary judgment [docket
entry 33] should be and is hereby granted. Judgment will be entered accordingly.
DATED this 28th day of March, 2013.
/s/Susan Webber Wright
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

35