Bremer and Human Win Landmark Case for Clayton School District & Taxpayers
May 9, 2012
Firm attorneys Mark Bremer and Leo Human successfully challenged a Missouri statute governing the transfer of students from an unaccredited school district (St. Louis Public Schools) to a nearby accredited district (Clayton). Judge David Lee Vincent, III ruled that the statute “is unconstitutional and unenforceable as to [Clayton and SLPS] because it violates the unfunded mandate prohibition contained in [Missouri’s] Hancock Amendment . . . and, alternatively to this constitutional violation, because compliance is impossible.” Judge Vincent blocked enforcement of the statute and authorized the recovery of costs to the school districts and attorneys’ fees to the taxpayers. “We are extremely pleased with Judge Vincent’s ruling,” said Clayton’s Interim Superintendent Dr. Sharmon Wilkinson. “His decision reaffirms all of the contentions we have made about this case and the related statute for the past five years. On behalf of the Board, our students, staff and the entire Clayton Community, I would like to thank everyone whose hard work and dedication allowed us to be where we are today.”