Prior Cases
Lewisville Independent School District Agrees to Provide District with Greater Political Opportunity
On August 18, 2023, The Brewer Storefront (“Storefront”) announced a settlement with the Lewisville Independent School District (“Lewisville ISD”) of the Voting Rights Act lawsuit it filed against the school district in 2022 on behalf of plaintiff Paige Dixon. The outcome came nearly three years after the Storefront sued Lewisville ISD under the Voting Rights Act.
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The agreement provided for a new electoral system consisting of five single-member districts and two at-large districts. The new election system includes at least one single-member district comprised of a majority of eligible minority voters – paving the way for greater political opportunity in one of the largest and most diverse school districts in North Texas.
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“This is an important outcome for our client, the school district, local voters, and all who believe our political systems work best when they are inclusive,” said William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer Storefront. “We applaud the Lewisville ISD school board for agreeing to adopt an electoral system that provides voters of color a fair opportunity to elect candidates of their choosing. We hope the board’s actions are instructive to other school boards and elected bodies.”
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Lewisville ISD is a diverse school district. According to the Texas Education Agency, as of the 2021-22 school year, the school district enrolled 49,113 students. The majority-minority student body was 36.6% white, 30.7% Hispanic, 15.7% Asian, 12% African American, and 4.6% two or more races. About 33.6% of students were economically disadvantaged and 19.6% were English learners.
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“I appreciate the work of the Storefront and its commitment to this issue, even as it had to travel a long road to secure this outcome," said Dixon. "The school board’s decision to change the election system is admirable as well, especially to those of us who believe in the promise of LISD and its future generations. A new day has finally arrived at LISD.”
Brewer Storefront Announces Resolution of Richardson ISD Voting Rights Act and Texas Open Meetings Act Cases
On January 17, 2019, The Brewer Storefront announced that a settlement was reached with the Richardson Independent School District (“Richardson ISD”) in the Voting Rights Act and Texas Open Meetings Act (“TOMA”) lawsuits filed against the school district in 2018 on behalf of plaintiff and former Richardson ISD school board trustee David Tyson, Jr.
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The parties’ agreement resolves all claims against Richardson ISD. All seven members of Richardson ISD’s school board are currently elected at-large. Mr. Tyson claimed that the district’s voting scheme violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The agreement provides for a new electoral system consisting of five single-member districts and two at-large districts.
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“We are pleased that the Richardson ISD school board agreed to adopt an electoral system that provides minority voters a fair opportunity to participate in the political process,” said William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer Storefront, the firm’s community service legal affiliate. “We also commend the board members for taking steps to provide greater transparency in connection with their decision making. This is a transformational outcome for the local community – a moment that celebrates all who were part of this agreement and hopefully provides instruction to other school boards across the state.”
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Joining Brewer in representing Mr. Tyson were Partner Michael J. Collins and Katherine Leal Unmuth of the Brewer Storefront’s Public Affairs Division.