Georgia Officials Lose Appeal Over Black Teacher Bias Pact Suit

Georgia school officials aren’t immune from a Black teacher’s claims that they violated federal law by not complying with recruitment and hiring requirements in an agreement settling prior bias claims, the Eleventh Circuit ruled Wednesday.

The US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit’s decision provides guidance on when public officials who aren’t party to a contract underlying a race discrimination claim can be personally liable under federal civil rights law and when they might enjoy qualified immunity from such claims.

The decades-old law ensures Black individuals equal rights in making and enforcing contracts, and a lower court was correct ...