Hawkins v. Desoto Independent School District et al
| Matthew Aaron Hawkins |
| Desoto Independent School District, DeSoto Independent School District School Board, Dr Usamah Rogers, Jasen Campbell, Jocelyn Starling, Kristi Primus, Dr Leon Darden, Gene Morrow, Jorge Medina, Christopher Polk, Alicia Bailey and Alma Murphy-Goss |
| 3:2025cv00652 |
| March 18, 2025 |
| U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas |
| Sidney A Fitzwater |
| Rebecca Rutherford |
| Civil Rights: Employment |
| 42 U.S.C. § 1983 Civil Rights (Employment Discrimination) |
| Plaintiff |
Docket Report
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This docket was last retrieved on March 30, 2026. A more recent docket listing may be available from PACER.
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Filing 39
ELECTRONIC ORDER granting #34 Defendants' motion to stay discovery pending the resolution of Defendants' motions to dismiss (ECF No. #26 and #27 ), which are dispositive to the case. See Carder v. Continental Airlines, Inc. , 595 F. App'x 293, 300 (5th Cir. 2014) ("[A] trial court may properly exercise its discretion to stay discovery pending a decision on a dispositive motion."). Accordingly, the Court STAYS the discovery deadline -- currently 4/17/2026 -- until the Court disposes of the pending motion to dismiss. The Court also DENIES without prejudice Plaintiff's #36 motion to compel discovery. (Ordered by Magistrate Judge Rebecca Rutherford on 7/30/2025) (chmb) Docket text modified on 8/1/2025 (twd).
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Filing 38
ORDER REFERRING CASE to Magistrate Judge Rebecca Rutherford for pretrial management. (Ordered by Senior Judge Sidney A Fitzwater on 7/29/2025) (axm)
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| Filing 37 RESPONSE AND OBJECTION filed by Matthew Aaron Hawkins re: #34 MOTION to Stay and for Temporary Protection from Discovery (Attachments: #1 Proposed Order Proposed Order Denying Defendants Motion to Stay Discovery) (Hawkins, Matthew) |
| Filing 36 MOTION to Compel Discovery from DeSoto Independent School District filed by Matthew Aaron Hawkins with Brief/Memorandum in Support. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit(s) Exhibit D Email from Defense Counsel Rejecting Discovery Conferral, #2 Proposed Order Proposed Order Granting Plaintiffs Motion to Compel Discovery) (Hawkins, Matthew) |
| Filing 35 Appendix in Support filed by Alicia Bailey, Jasen Campbell, Leon Darden, DeSoto Independent School District School Board, Desoto Independent School District, Jorge Medina, Gene Morrow, Alma Murphy-Goss, Christopher Polk, Kristi Primus, Usamah Rogers, Jocelyn Starling re #34 MOTION to Stay and for Temporary Protection from Discovery (Attachments: #1 Exhibit(s) A, #2 Exhibit(s) B, #3 Exhibit(s) C) (Rothey, K) |
| Filing 34 MOTION to Stay and for Temporary Protection from Discovery filed by Alicia Bailey, Jasen Campbell, Leon Darden, DeSoto Independent School District School Board, Desoto Independent School District, Jorge Medina, Gene Morrow, Alma Murphy-Goss, Christopher Polk, Kristi Primus, Usamah Rogers, Jocelyn Starling with Brief/Memorandum in Support. (Attachments: #1 Proposed Order) (Rothey, K) |
| Filing 33 REPLY filed by Desoto Independent School District re: #27 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim (Rothey, K) |
| Filing 32 REPLY filed by Alicia Bailey, Jasen Campbell, Leon Darden, Jorge Medina, Gene Morrow, Alma Murphy-Goss, Christopher Polk, Kristi Primus, Usamah Rogers, Jocelyn Starling re: #26 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim (Rothey, K) |
| Filing 31 RESPONSE filed by Matthew Aaron Hawkins re: #27 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim, #26 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim (Hawkins, Matthew) |
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Filing 30
ELECTRONIC ORDER granting #29 Motion for Leave to File. Plaintiff is granted leave to file a response not exceeding 34 pages in length. (Plaintiff must file the document with the clerk.) (Ordered by Magistrate Judge Rebecca Rutherford on 7/8/2025) (Magistrate Judge Rebecca Rutherford)
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| Filing 29 First MOTION for Leave to File Response in Opposition to Defendants Motions to Dismiss Exceeding Page Limit filed by Matthew Aaron Hawkins with Brief/Memorandum in Support. (Attachments: #1 Proposed Order Leave to Exceed Page Limit) (Hawkins, Matthew) |
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Filing 28
Order Referring #26 , #27 Motion for Recommendation pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 636(b)(1)(B). The Magistrate Judge may conduct a hearing if he/she determines that a hearing is necessary. This order of reference also prospectively refers all procedural motions (e.g., to modify briefing limitations, to supplement a motion, or for an expedited hearing) hereafter filed by a party who supports or opposes the referred motion, and that relate to the resolution of the motion to Magistrate Judge Rebecca Rutherford. (Ordered by Senior Judge Sidney A Fitzwater on 7/1/2025) (kcr)
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| Filing 27 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim filed by DeSoto Independent School District School Board, Desoto Independent School District with Brief/Memorandum in Support. (Rothey, K) |
| Filing 26 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim filed by Alicia Bailey, Jasen Campbell, Leon Darden, Jorge Medina, Gene Morrow, Alma Murphy-Goss, Christopher Polk, Kristi Primus, Usamah Rogers, Jocelyn Starling with Brief/Memorandum in Support. (Rothey, K) |
| Filing 25 CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PERSONS/DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by Alicia Bailey, Jasen Campbell, Leon Darden, DeSoto Independent School District School Board, Desoto Independent School District, Jorge Medina, Gene Morrow, Alma Murphy-Goss, Christopher Polk, Kristi Primus, Usamah Rogers, Jocelyn Starling. (Clerk QC note: No affiliate entered in ECF). (Rothey, K) |
| Filing 24 CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PERSONS/DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by Matthew Aaron Hawkins. (Clerk QC note: No affiliate entered in ECF). (Hawkins, Matthew) |
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Filing 23
TRIAL SETTING ORDER: Trial set for 9/28/2026 before Senior Judge Sidney A Fitzwater. (Ordered by Senior Judge Sidney A Fitzwater on 6/13/2025) (kcr)
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Filing 22
SCHEDULING ORDER: Amended Pleadings due by 7/21/2026. Discovery due by 4/17/2026. Joinder of Parties due by 7/21/2025. Motions due by 5/18/2026. Status Report due by 4/17/2026. (Ordered by Senior Judge Sidney A Fitzwater on 6/13/2025) (kcr)
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Filing 21
ORDER: Plaintiff has not filed the certificate of interested persons required by N.D. Tex. Civ. R. 3.1(c) or 3.2(e). Within 14 days of the date this order is filed, plaintiff(s) must comply with Rule 3.1(c) or 3.2(e) so that the court can determine whether recusal is required in this case. Defendants have not filed the certificate of interested persons required by N.D. Tex. Civ. R. 7.4. Within 14 days of the date this order is filed, defendant(s) must comply with Rule7.4 so that the court can determine whether recusal is required in this case. (Ordered by Senior Judge Sidney A Fitzwater on 6/13/2025) (kcr)
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| Filing 20 Joint Scheduling Proposal filed by Alicia Bailey, Jasen Campbell, Leon Darden, DeSoto Independent School District School Board, Desoto Independent School District, Jorge Medina, Gene Morrow, Alma Murphy-Goss, Christopher Polk, Kristi Primus, Usamah Rogers, Jocelyn Starling (Rothey, K) Modified event text on 6/11/2025 (kcr). |
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Filing 19
ORDER granting #15 MOTION to Extend Time to Answer or Move to Dismiss Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint. Defendants must respond to plaintiff's first amended complaint no later than 6/30/2025. (Ordered by Senior Judge Sidney A Fitzwater on 6/6/2025) (kcr)
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| Filing 18 REPLY filed by Alicia Bailey, Jasen Campbell, Leon Darden, DeSoto Independent School District School Board, Desoto Independent School District, Jorge Medina, Gene Morrow, Alma Murphy-Goss, Christopher Polk, Kristi Primus, Usamah Rogers, Jocelyn Starling re: #15 MOTION to Extend Time to Answer or Move to Dismiss Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint (Rothey, K) |
| Filing 17 RESPONSE filed by Matthew Aaron Hawkins re: #15 MOTION to Extend Time to Answer or Move to Dismiss Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint (Hawkins, Matthew) |
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Filing 16
ORDER: Any response in opposition to defendants' 6/6/2025 opposed #15 motion to extend time to file an answer or otherwise respond to plaintiff Matthew Hawkins' first amended complaint must be filed no later than Tuesday,6/10/2025 at noon CDT. Any reply to a response must be filed no later than Wednesday, 6/11/2025 at 5:00 p.m. CDT. Unless the court notifies the parties otherwise, the motion will be decided without oral argument. (Ordered by Senior Judge Sidney A Fitzwater on 6/6/2025) (ykp)
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| Filing 15 MOTION to Extend Time to Answer or Move to Dismiss Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint filed by Alicia Bailey, Jasen Campbell, Leon Darden, DeSoto Independent School District School Board, Desoto Independent School District, Jorge Medina, Gene Morrow, Alma Murphy-Goss, Christopher Polk, Kristi Primus, Usamah Rogers, Jocelyn Starling with Brief/Memorandum in Support. (Rothey, K) |
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Filing 14
ORDER denying without prejudice #10 Motion to Dismiss; denying without prejudice #11 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim. (Ordered by Senior Judge Sidney A Fitzwater on 5/30/2025) (Senior Judge Sidney A Fitzwater)
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| Filing 13 AMENDED COMPLAINT WITH JURY DEMAND [First] AMENDED COMPLAINT against Alicia Bailey, Jasen Campbell, Leon Darden, Desoto Independent School District, Jorge Medina, Gene Morrow, Alma Murphy-Goss, Christopher Polk, Kristi Primus, Usamah Rogers, Jocelyn Starling filed by Matthew Aaron Hawkins. (One or more defendant(s) is no longer named.) Unless exempted, attorneys who are not admitted to practice in the Northern District of Texas must seek admission promptly. Forms, instructions, and exemption information may be found at www.txnd.uscourts.gov, or by clicking here: # Attorney Information - Bar Membership. If admission requirements are not satisfied within 21 days, the clerk will notify the presiding judge. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit(s) EEOC Notice of Right to Sue Letter, #2 Exhibit(s) Hawkins' Record of Academic Integrity Enforcement, #3 Exhibit(s) Confirmation of Superintendent Meeting, #4 Exhibit(s) High Flying Eagle Award Recognition (March 27, 2023), #5 Exhibit(s) Teacher Evaluation 2022-2023, #6 Exhibit(s) Parent Nomination for Teacher of the Year, #7 Exhibit(s) December 2022 Grading Policy Changes, #8 Exhibit(s) No grades below 50 reminder, #9 Exhibit(s) September 19, 2023, Meeting Regarding Calculator Usage, #10 Exhibit(s) Texas Education Code 11.164(a)(6) Lesson Plan Requirements, #11 Exhibit(s) Emails and Formal Letter of Concern (October-November 2023), #12 Exhibit(s) February 27, 2024, Email from Kristi Primus Reassigning Ms. Jackson, #13 Exhibit(s) March 6, 2024, TINA Plan and Subsequent Correspondence, #14 Exhibit(s) TINA Plan, #15 Exhibit(s) March 21, 2024, Meeting Transcript with Jocelyn Starling, #16 Exhibit(s) Hawkins' Level I Grievances (March 8 and September 9, 2024), #17 Exhibit(s) Principal Campbells Level I Grievance Response (April 8, 2024), #18 Exhibit(s) DeSoto ISD Board Policy DK (Local), #19 Exhibit(s) DeSoto ISD Board Policy EIA (Local) - Grading Policy, #20 Exhibit(s) DeSoto ISD Board Policy EIA (Legal), #21 Exhibit(s) September 5, 2024 Parent Email Regarding Hawkins' Reassignment, #22 Exhibit(s) Additional Parent Correspondence Regarding Hawkins Reassignment, #23 Exhibit(s) Hawkins Grievance Record, #24 Exhibit(s) Email to HR Director Larry Davis (October 24, 2024), #25 Exhibit(s) Level II Grievance Response (November 11, 2024) by Gene Morrow, #26 Exhibit(s) October 30, 2024 Incident Documentation (Disruptive Students, Medina Intervention), #27 Exhibit(s) DeSoto ISD Student Handbook (2024-2025) p 50-52, #28 Exhibit(s) 2024-2025 DHS Campus Employee Handbook p 24-25, #29 Exhibit(s) "Mens 33" Meeting Announcement (January 6, 2025), #30 Exhibit(s) Principal Campbells Statements from "Mens 33" Meeting, #31 Exhibit(s) Ms. R Complaint (September 17, 2024), #32 Exhibit(s) J.R.'s Father's Complaint (November 11, 2024), #33 Exhibit(s) C.D.'s Complaint and Subsequent Resolution (October 17, 2024), #34 Exhibit(s) D.T. Family Complaint (January 2025), #35 Exhibit(s) Schedule Change Policy (20242025 DHS Staff Handbook)p42-43, #36 Exhibit(s) Schedule Change Documentation (23 students moved post-deadline), #37 Exhibit(s) SPED Student S.C.s Schedule Change & Grade Inflation Request (February 10, 2025), #38 Exhibit(s) Documentation of Student S.C.s Behavioral and Academic Record, #39 Exhibit(s) Level III Grievance Hearing Transcript (February 24, 2025), #40 Exhibit(s) Hawkins Employment Contract with DeSoto ISD, #41 Exhibit(s) DeSoto ISD Employee Handbook (Policy DK Local) p14-15, #42 Exhibit(s) DeSoto ISD Board Policy DGBA (Local) - Grievance Procedure, #43 Exhibit(s) DeSoto ISD Board Policy FNCA (Local) - Student Dress Code, #44 Exhibit(s) Student Handbook 23 -24 Parent Note Policy, #45 Exhibit(s) Student C Attendance excused vs unexcused, #46 Exhibit(s) TIA Score Card, #47 Exhibit(s) McCowen TARP, #48 Exhibit(s) 6th Grade Opt Out, #49 Exhibit(s) NSolve, #50 Exhibit(s) TI Calc Policy 23-24, #51 Exhibit(s) ECHS Organization, #52 Exhibit(s) Tardy Dispute, #53 Exhibit(s) T-TESS Calendar 2023 - 2024 sent 08-07-2023, #54 Exhibit(s) Incident April 2, 2025, #55 Exhibit(s) Backlash from Incident - April 2, 2025) (Hawkins, Matthew) |
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Filing 12
Order for Scheduling Order Proposal: No later than seven days before the scheduling proposal due date, lead counsel for each party (or a designee attorney with appropriate authority) must meet in person at a mutually agreeable location, and confer on the matters specified in Rule 26(f)(2) and this order. Proposed Scheduling Order due by 6/13/2025. (Ordered by Senior Judge Sidney A Fitzwater on 5/16/2025) (ykp)
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| Filing 11 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim filed by Alicia Bailey, Jasen Campbell, Leon Darden, Jorge Medina, Gene Morrow, Alma Murphy-Goss, Christopher Polk, Kristi Primus, Usamah Rogers, Jocelyn Starling with Brief/Memorandum in Support. (Rothey, K) |
| Filing 10 MOTION to Dismiss Plaintiff Matthew Hawkins's Complaint filed by DeSoto Independent School District School Board, Desoto Independent School District with Brief/Memorandum in Support. (Rothey, K) |
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Filing 9
ORDER granting #8 Motion for Leave to File. Defendants DeSoto ISD and the DeSoto ISD School Boards response shall not exceed 35 Pages, and the Individual Defendants shall not exceed 30 pages. (The requesting party must file the document with the clerk.) (Ordered by Senior Judge Sidney A Fitzwater on 5/8/2025) (kaf)
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| Filing 8 Unopposed MOTION for Leave to File briefing to exceed 25-page limit filed by Alicia Bailey, Jasen Campbell, Leon Darden, DeSoto Independent School District School Board, Desoto Independent School District, Jorge Medina, Gene Morrow, Alma Murphy-Goss, Christopher Polk, Kristi Primus, Usamah Rogers, Jocelyn Starling (Attachments: #1 Proposed Order) (Rothey, K) |
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Filing 7
ORDER granting #6 Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to File Answer or Otherwise Respond to Plaintiff Matthew Hawkins's Complaint. Answer due 5/13/2025. (Ordered by Senior Judge Sidney A Fitzwater on 4/14/2025) (kcr)
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| Filing 6 Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to File Answer or Otherwise Respond to Plaintiff Matthew Hawkins's Complaint filed by Alicia Bailey, Jasen Campbell, Leon Darden, DeSoto Independent School District School Board, Desoto Independent School District, Jorge Medina, Gene Morrow, Alma Murphy-Goss, Christopher Polk, Kristi Primus, Usamah Rogers, Jocelyn Starling (Attachments: #1 Proposed Order)Attorney K Adam Rothey added to party Alicia Bailey(pty:dft), Jasen Campbell(pty:dft), Leon Darden(pty:dft), DeSoto Independent School District School Board(pty:dft), Desoto Independent School District(pty:dft), Jorge Medina(pty:dft), Gene Morrow(pty:dft), Alma Murphy-Goss(pty:dft), Christopher Polk(pty:dft), Kristi Primus(pty:dft), Usamah Rogers(pty:dft), Jocelyn Starling(pty:dft) (Rothey, K) |
| Filing 5 SUMMONS Returned Executed as to All Defendants. (Attachments: #1 Affidavit(s) Jocelyn Starling Proof of Service, #2 Affidavit(s) Dr. Usamah Rogers Proof of Service, #3 Affidavit(s) Kristi Primus Proof of Service, #4 Affidavit(s) Christopher Polk Proof of Service, #5 Affidavit(s) Alma Murphy-Goss Proof of Service, #6 Affidavit(s) Gene Morrow Proof of Service, #7 Affidavit(s) Jorge Medina Proof of Service, #8 Affidavit(s) DeSoto Independent School District School Board Proof of Service, #9 Affidavit(s) Dr. Leon Darden Proof of Service, #10 Affidavit(s) Jasen Campbell Proof of Service, #11 Affidavit(s) Alicia Bailey Proof of Service) (Hawkins, Matthew) |
| ***Clerk's Notice of delivery: (see NEF for details) Docket No:1,2. Wed Mar 19 10:04:27 CDT 2025 (crt) |
| Filing 4 Summons Issued as to Alicia Bailey, Jasen Campbell, Leon Darden, DeSoto Independent School District School Board, Desoto Independent School District, Jorge Medina, Gene Morrow, Alma Murphy-Goss, Christopher Polk, Kristi Primus, Usamah Rogers, Jocelyn Starling. (ndt) |
| Filing 3 COMPLAINT WITH JURY DEMAND against Alicia Bailey, Jasen Campbell, Leon Darden, DeSoto Independent School District School Board, Desoto Independent School District, Jorge Medina, Gene Morrow, Alma Murphy-Goss, Christopher Polk, Kristi Primus, Usamah Rogers, Jocelyn Starling filed by Matthew Hawkins. (Filing fee $405.00; Receipt number 300016857) Unless exempted, attorneys who are not admitted to practice in the Northern District of Texas must seek admission promptly. Forms, instructions, and exemption information may be found at www.txnd.uscourts.gov, or by clicking here: # Attorney Information - Bar Membership. If admission requirements are not satisfied within 21 days, the clerk will notify the presiding judge. (ndt) |
| Filing 2 Notice and Instruction to Pro Se Party. (ndt) |
| Filing 1 New Case Notes: A filing fee has been paid. Case received over counter or electronically. No prior sanctions found. (For court use only - links to the #national and #circuit indexes.) Pursuant to Misc. Order 6, Plaintiff is provided the Notice of Right to Consent to Proceed Before A U.S. Magistrate Judge (Judge Rutherford). Clerk to provide copy to plaintiff if not received electronically. (ndt) |
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