End In Sight For 42-Year-Old Desegregation Case

OPELOUSAS, La. (AP) — The federal judge overseeing desegregation of St. Landry Parish public schools says the 42-year-old case will end in a few months.

Schools Superintendent Michael Nassif says he expects the federal government to keep monitoring the system, but it won't be the current intense scrutiny.

U.S. District Judge Tucker Melancon told the School Board on Thursday that he won't be able to close the case this year, as hoped — but will by March 31.

At the same meeting, the board considered attorney Gerard Caswell's request for a raise from $2,500 to $3,500 a month and from $125 to $175 an hour.

Caswell said he hasn't had a raise in 14 years. The board voted to wait until new members are seated in January.

Nassif says Caswell played a big part in winding up the desegregation case.