Opinion ID: 335108
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: discrimination against specific individuals

Text: 35 The United States argues that 55 qualified black applicants for teaching positions in the Hazelwood schools were refused employment on the basis of race. Twenty-five of these applicants testified at trial. The Government offered documentary evidence from Hazelwood's personnel files to show that subsequent to the application of each of the 55 blacks, vacancies in the applicant's field were filled by whites with less or no better objective qualifications than those of the black applicants. The district court ruled, however, that there was no basis in the record for concluding that Hazelwood acted in a discriminatory fashion in failing to hire the 55 applicants. 36 The United States contends that the district court erred in so holding and requests back pay and other appropriate injunctive relief for those applicants who were refused employment on the basis of race. We believe that for an applicant to be entitled to specific relief, the United States had the burden at trial of establishing a prima facie case of racial discrimination against him or her. In McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792, 93 S.Ct. 1817, 36 L.Ed.2d 668 (1973), the Supreme Court held that a private, non-class-action 37    complainant in a Title VII trial must carry the initial burden under the statute of establishing a prima facie case of racial discrimination. This may be done by showing (i) that he belongs to a racial minority; (ii) that he applied and was qualified for a job for which the employer was seeking applicants; (iii) that, despite his qualifications, he was rejected; and (iv) that, after his rejection, the position remained open and the employer continued to seek applicants from persons of complainant's qualifications. 38 Id. at 802, 93 S.Ct. at 1824, 36 L.Ed.2d at 677. 39 This four-pronged test, we think should be applied to the 55 applicants before us even though this is not a private action, but rather one brought by the Attorney General. See, E. E. O. C. v. Detroit Edison Co., 515 F.2d 301, 316 (6th Cir. 1975). Subsection (iv) is satisfied here by a showing that within a reasonable time after application, vacancies in the applicant's field were filled by whites with less or no better qualifications than those of the black applicant. The only applicants entitled to specific relief are those for whom the Government has established a prima facie case by satisfying the test, and whose prima facie case was not rebutted by defendants. 40 The district court made specific findings regarding 41 of the 55 rejected black applicants. We shall examine these findings with regard to each applicant, applying the standard articulated in Green, supra, 416 U.S. at 802, 93 S.Ct. at 1824, 36 L.Ed.2d at 677. Of course, the findings of fact made by the district court are entitled to full credit before this court, except for those that the record reveals to be clearly erroneous. Fed.R.Civ.P. 52; Barryhill v. United States, 300 F.2d 690, 693-694 (8th Cir. 1962). Ordinarily, where we reverse a district court's interpretation of the law applicable to a set of facts, it is appropriate simply to remand the injured parties to the district court for further relief. In this instance, however, we believe that a review of the specific findings on 41 of the applicants serves both the interests of justice and judicial economy by hastening relief for those discriminated against, and by preventing further litigation of the claims for which no prima facie case has been made. 41 We hold that the following applicants established a prima facie case of discrimination which was not rebutted by Hazelwood and that they are entitled to specific relief: 42 1. Derek Novel applied for a position as a junior or senior high social studies teacher on January 31, 1973. Novel had an outstanding academic record, had experience as a student teacher, and had travelled widely. Hazelwood informed Novel on several occasions that there were no vacancies in his field and never interviewed him. Evidence produced by the Government, however, showed that 10 persons applying after Novel for the same position were subsequently hired. At least five of these persons had teaching experience comparable to, or lesser than that of Novel. All five had weaker academic records. One had even been dismissed from his university on the basis of his grades. Hazelwood offered no evidence to explain why Novel was never considered for any of the positions filled after his application, or why Novel was told that there were no vacancies, when, in fact, there were. The district court's finding that Hazelwood did not act in a discriminatory manner in failing to hire Novel is clearly erroneous. 43 2. Robert Howell applied in March of 1973 for a position teaching in the same area as had Novel, secondary social studies. Howell graduated from the University of Missouri and was awarded a scholarship on the basis of his grades. At the time of his application, he had a life certificate in Missouri with two years of experience teaching in his field. Moreover, Howell had served as a student teacher at Hazelwood Senior High, and his cooperating teacher had been impressed with his abilities. Hazelwood offered no evidence to explain why Howell was never interviewed for any of the 10 vacancies in social studies filled by whites subsequent to his application. Only one of these whites had more experience than Howell. Neither did Hazelwood attempt to explain why, as a former student teacher at Hazelwood, Howell was not given preference over other applicants, in light of their practice of doing so. We hold the district court's finding that the failure to hire Howell was non-discriminatory to be clearly erroneous. 44 3. James Washington also applied for a position as a social studies teacher at the beginning of 1973. Washington graduated from college in 1972 and held a life certificate in Missouri at the time of his application. He had experience as both a student and a substitute teacher. Sometime after he applied, Washington was told by Hazelwood that there were no vacancies in his field, although ten vacancies in this area were filled by whites subsequent to his application. Five of these whites had experience comparable to, or less than, that of Washington. Hazelwood offered no evidence to rebut the inference of discrimination resulting from the Government's evidence. The district court's finding that Washington had suffered no discrimination at the hands of Hazelwood is clearly erroneous. 45 4. Samuel Downs applied for a position as an industrial arts teacher on May 24, 1972. At that time Downs held a life certificate in Missouri and a bachelor of sciences degree in industrial arts. He had one year of experience teaching industrial art in St. Louis. Downs never had a formal interview but was told by Hazelwood's personnel director that there would probably be no vacancies in his field. Two such vacancies were filled after his application for the 1972-73 school year. One of the teachers hired had the same amount of experience as Downs, and the other had less. The latter, unlike Downs, did not even possess a state life certificate at the time of his application. Hazelwood submitted no evidence to explain why Downs was not considered for either of these positions. We hold the district court's finding that the failure to hire Downs was non-discriminatory to be clearly erroneous. 46 5. Alice Moore Roach applied for a position as an elementary teacher April 30, 1972. Roach had an excellent academic record with experience as a student teacher. However, she was never interviewed. The district court erred in finding that Roach was not hired because she lacked teaching certification at the time she applied. Forty-six elementary school teachers with similar experience were hired subsequent to Roach's application. Eight of these 46 teachers also had not applied for certification at the time they applied for teaching positions. Hazelwood offered no evidence to explain why a different standard was applied to these eight white applicants than was applied to Roach. The district court's finding that Hazelwood did not discriminate against Roach on the basis of race is held to be clearly erroneous. 47 6. Cynthia Edmond applied for a position as a teacher of social studies on July 11, 1972. Subsequently she was told there were no vacancies in her field. The following year she renewed her application. Edmond testified that in college she had a 3.9 grade point average on a 4.0 scale in her major. She possessed a life certificate at the time of her application and had experience student teaching a twelfth grade government class. Edmond was never interviewed by Hazelwood. The district court apparently overlooked evidence that, after Edmond was told no vacancies existed, five whites were hired as social studies teachers for the 1972-73 school year. Three of the five whites had teaching experience no greater than that of Edmond. Nine vacancies in the field of social studies were filled for the 1973-74 year after Edmond had renewed her application. Four of the teachers hired to fill these vacancies had no more teaching experience than Edmond. Hazelwood offered no evidence to explain why in 1972 Edmond was told there were no vacancies when, in fact, there were, or why she was not hired for any of the openings for the 1972-73 or 1973-74 terms. The finding of the district court that Edmond was rejected for non-discriminatory reasons is clearly erroneous. 48 7. Beverly Ellis applied for an elementary teaching position on August 4, 1972. Ellis had a life certificate and seven years of teaching experience at several different schools. She was interviewed at Brown and Charbonier elementary schools, but was not offered a position at either. Hazelwood offered no evidence to rebut her testimony in support of the Government's view that these interviews were insufficient reason for refusing employment. Moreover, the district court failed to discuss evidence showing that 51 other elementary teaching positions were filled subsequent to her application by persons of lesser experience, 33 of whom had only student teaching experience. Hazelwood offered no evidence to show why she was not hired for any of these 51 positions. We hold that Ellis established a prima facie case of discrimination which was not rebutted by Hazelwood. 49 8. Delores Penton applied for a kindergarten or elementary level position on June 21, 1973. Penton testified that she had a 3.29 grade point average on a 4.0 scale in college and had three years of experience teaching elementary school. Penton was never interviewed. The finding of the district court that she was not hired because she lacked certification was clearly erroneous. The United States offered evidence showing that five persons were hired by Hazelwood as elementary level teachers after Penton's application, all of whom lacked certification at the time of their applications. None of them had as much teaching experience as Penton. Hazelwood offered no evidence to rebut the inference of discrimination created by this evidence. We hold that Penton was denied employment on the basis of race. 50 9. Timotheus Carson applied for a position teaching secondary English, French, or German on April 6, 1972. Carson possessed a Master of Arts degree in English, French, and German and a life certificate. Moreover, he had 10 years of experience teaching languages. The day after he applied, Carson was interviewed by the department chairman, who rated him very highly. However, Hazelwood never offered him a position. The district court failed to note that subsequent to his application, 23 teachers in Carson's field were hired for the 1972-73 school year, all having less teaching experience than he. The great majority of these teachers had significantly less experience than Carson and only one had a master's degree. The finding of the district court that Carson was not rejected on racial grounds is clearly erroneous in light of the Government's evidence. 51 10. Georgia Shaw applied for a position as an elementary level teacher on April 27, 1973. Shaw had a degree in elementary education and had applied for her Missouri certification at the time of her application with Hazelwood. Moreover, Shaw was a student teacher at Black Jack Elementary School in the Hazelwood District. Her cooperating teacher stated on Shaw's evaluation form dated March 1, 1973: 52 She (Shaw) has a good rapport with the children, but she is also able to use effective methods of discipline. She is a willing worker and will do anything that is suggested. She has also shown initiative in making individual projects, games, learning packets, and other aids, to help the individual child. I feel Georgia has the qualities and capabilities which when fully developed will make her a very effective teacher. 53 Hazelwood never interviewed Shaw. The district court clearly erred in finding that she was not hired because she lacked proper certification at the time of her application. Thirteen whites with no more than student teaching experience were hired by Hazelwood to teach elementary school during the 1973-74 school year. All 13 teachers were interviewed after Shaw's application. Seven of these teachers also lacked certification at the time of their applications. Hazelwood offered no evidence to explain why Shaw was not hired for one of these positions, in light of her comparable qualifications and the laudatory recommendation of her cooperating teacher. We hold that the Government established a prima facie case of discrimination against Shaw, which was not rebutted by Hazelwood. 54 11. Alexis Smith applied for a position as an elementary school teacher on April 21, 1972. Smith had an undergraduate degree in elementary education and had experience as a student teacher. At the time of her application, Smith had applied for certification in Missouri. Hazelwood never interviewed her. The district court's finding that she was not hired because, at the time of her application, she lacked proper certification was clearly erroneous. Twenty-five white teachers with experience no greater than Smith's were hired as elementary teachers for the 1972-73 school year. Twelve of these teachers also lacked certification at the time of their applications. Hazelwood produced no evidence to explain why Smith was not hired for one of these positions. We hold that the Government established a prima facie case of discrimination against Smith which was not rebutted by Hazelwood. 55 12. Geraldine Thomas applied for a position as fourth, fifth, or sixth grade teacher in April of 1972. Thomas had an undergraduate degree in elementary education and had more than five years of experience teaching fifth grade. Hazelwood never interviewed her. The finding of the district court that Thomas was not hired because she lacked proper certification is clearly erroneous. Evidence adduced by the Government showed that at least six positions for the 1972-73 school year were filled by white teachers, who also lacked certification at the time of their applications. None of these teachers had experience comparable to that of Thomas. Hazelwood produced no evidence to explain why she was not hired to fill one of these positions. A prima facie case of discrimination against Thomas was made out by the United States and was not rebutted by Hazelwood. 56 13. Mary Etta Wilson applied for a position teaching first, second, or third grade on April 5, 1972. In December of 1972, she wrote Hazelwood asking that her application be kept in the active file. Wilson had an undergraduate level degree in elementary education and more than five years of experience teaching grades one through three. Hazelwood never interviewed her. The district court clearly erred in finding that Hazelwood rejected her for lack of proper certification at the time of her application. The Government's evidence demonstrated that at least eight white teachers, who also lacked certification when they applied, were hired for the school years 1972-73 and 1973-74 to teach at the elementary level. All 8 teachers had less teaching experience than Thomas, and four of them had experience only as student teachers. Hazelwood offered no evidence to explain why Wilson was rejected in favor of less qualified whites. The Government, we hold, made out a prima facie case of discrimination against Wilson which was not rebutted by Hazelwood. 57 14. Robert Wilson applied for a position teaching junior or senior high school science on April 5, 1972. In December of 1972, he wrote Hazelwood asking that his application be kept in the active file. Wilson had an undergraduate degree in science and seven years experience teaching science courses on the senior high level. Hazelwood never interviewed him. The finding of the district court that Wilson was rejected because he lacked certification at the time of his application is clearly erroneous. Evidence adduced by the Government showed that, after Wilson's application, at least five junior or senior high level science teachers, who also lacked certification when they applied, were hired for the 1972-73 or 1973-74 school years. None of the five had as much teaching experience as Wilson; four had experience only as student teachers. Hazelwood produced no evidence to explain why Wilson was not hired for one of these positions. We conclude that the United States established a prima facie case of discrimination against Wilson, and Hazelwood failed to rebut it. 58 15. Cozeene Triplett applied for a position as an elementary guidance counselor on August 21, 1972. Triplett had a master's degree in counselor education. His application forms indicate that he had certification in elementary administration and seven years of experience teaching fifth grade. Hazelwood never interviewed him. The finding of the district court that Triplett was rejected because he applied after all teachers for the coming school year had been hired, 392 F.Supp. at 1286, was clearly erroneous. The defendants, the Government evidence showed, hired a white elementary counselor nine days after Triplett applied. This counselor applied after Triplett had, and was interviewed the same day she applied. She did have a master's degree in counselling, but had three fewer years of teaching experience than Triplett. No evidence was offered by Hazelwood to show why Triplett was rejected in favor of a comparably, if not less, qualified white. We hold that the United States made out a prima facie case of discrimination against Triplett which was not rebutted by Hazelwood. 59 16. Willie Palmer applied for a position as a reading specialist, an administrator, or a science teacher on May 3, 1972. Palmer had an excellent academic record and 15 years of experience teaching reading, science, and elementary school. Palmer possessed a life certificate for elementary education. The district court found that he was not certified as a science teacher, and that he lacked a master's degree as required for an administrative position in Missouri. The district court did not discuss evidence adduced by the Government showing that, after Palmer's application, the defendants hired 57 persons to teach elementary school or reading during the 1972-73 school year. None of these persons had as much teaching experience as Palmer. The district court considered significant the fact that Palmer's salary in a non-teaching job at the time of his application was higher than the salary the Hazelwood District could offer him. In light of the fact that Palmer applied for the lower-salaried teaching position, evidence concerning the level of his current salary was totally inadequate to rebut the inference of discrimination created by the Government's evidence. Dedicated teachers often choose to teach or remain in teaching positions without regard for the pecuniary compensation involved. The finding of the district court that Palmer was rejected on a non-discriminatory basis is clearly erroneous. 60 We agree with the district court that the Government's evidence did not substantiate a finding of discrimination against the remainder of the 55 black applicants, including the following individuals, for whom specific findings were made: Judith Ealy, Lonnie Lockett, Patricia Fletcher, Nikki Lenoir, Pearlie Boyd, Atry Cotton, Melvin Lowe, Westelle Florez, Cullen Cook, Naomi Cooksey, Jerome Trotter, Gerald Trotter, Geneice Kincaid, Vina Jones, Charlene Catlin, Jerry Fitch, Harriet Mullins, Naomi Easter, Ruby Lee Carroll, Jesuita Payne, Marva Hill, Elwood Moore, Rosa Lee Thompson, Alberta Riggs, and Sandra Reid.