Opinion ID: 707584
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: the specific requirements

Text: 25 The Special Master's report also often failed to explain the apparent discrepancy between a low compliance figure and his conclusion that, notwithstanding that data, Defendants had substantially complied with a specific requirement of the decree. For example, the Special Master noted that district lows and highs for the timeliness and content of the 30-day conferences ranged from 6.2% to 63%, while other testimony concluded that the plans satisfied at least the content requirement from 31% to 97% of the time. The Special Master then goes on without further explanation to conclude that [t]here is a high occurrence level for this event and that Defendants had substantially complied with this requirement. Sp.Mast. at 52-53. Another such example is the Special Master's treatment of the requirement that the children's attorney be notified every month as to whether they were freed for adoption. The report indicated that only 26% of the attorneys for the children in the state's care were notified on time and 8% of the attorneys were never notified after establishing a plan for adoption; nonetheless, without further explanation except for a reference to caseworker attorney contacts (which were often also untimely), and a conclusion that late notification did not lead to cessation of movement, the report concluded that Defendants had substantially complied with this requirement. Sp.Mast. at 55-56. These conclusions of substantial compliance are non-sequiturs based on the facts stated in the report. These are but two examples, but similar leaps of faith or non-sequitur conclusions abound in the report. Thus, we are simply unable to review the district court's rulings that Defendants substantially complied with the specific terms of the decree. On remand, the court must outline the essential subsidiary findings and reasoning which lead to its ultimate conclusions as to each specific requirement. 26 The Defendants in their brief argue that they presented opposing evidence to explain or refute the Plaintiffs' evidence, but it is not the role of the Court of Appeals to weigh such evidence and make evidentiary findings as to what evidence is most credible. It is the role of the district courts to engage in clear and specific factfinding, and we are neither equipped nor inclined to assume that role. Moreover, given the length of the record in this case, it is especially inappropriate that we study the record in an attempt to discern whether the district court could have found the facts necessary to justify its holding. See Hull v. United States, 971 F.2d 1499, 1513 (10th Cir.1992), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 113 S.Ct. 1844, 123 L.Ed.2d 469 (1993) (even though support exists in record for district court's judgment, the insufficiency of district court's findings requires remanding the case to the district court). Thus, we VACATE the judgment of the district court and REMAND this case for further proceedings. Id.; Battle, 788 F.2d at 1425. 12