Parties settle Title IX lawsuit in Chouteau

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- A Title IX lawsuit filed against Chouteau Public Schools last year has been settled, according to federal court documents. <br><br>A settlement conference report signed Tuesday by

Wednesday, March 15th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- A Title IX lawsuit filed against Chouteau Public Schools last year has been settled, according to federal court documents.

A settlement conference report signed Tuesday by U.S. Magistrate Claire Eagan indicates the parties reached a tentative accord during a closed-door meeting.

The agreement needs the formal approval of Chouteau school officials as well as the plaintiffs, who are parents of female students in Chouteau. If the parties sign off on the agreement, it would be filed officially with the court and forwarded to U.S. District Judge Michael Burrage for his approval.

The pact features a grievance procedure designed to resolve future gender-equity problems and the possibility of new sports being added for girls if sufficient interest is indicated, defense attorney Karen Long said. It does not call for construction of new playing fields, she said.

The pact also will feature girls getting to use the football locker room in the spring and significant improvements in the school's softball facility, plaintiffs' co-counsel Ray Yasser said.

Co-counsel Sam Schiller said the agreement also will allow girls greater access to weight training.