FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CR
TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1997                             (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

                                 
       JUSTICE DEPARTMENT REACHES AGREEMENT WITH LOUISIANA
           SCHOOL BOARD TO ELIMINATE SEX DISCRIMINATION


     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A Louisiana school board today reached
an agreement with the U.S. Justice Department to ensure that
women are given the same opportunities as men when applying for
janitorial positions at schools.

     The agreement, filed today with a complaint in U.S. District
Court in Baton Rouge, resolves allegations that the East Baton
Rouge Parish School Board violated Title VII of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 by engaging in a pattern of discrimination because it
failed to hire and promote women on an equal basis as men. 

     "We will work to eliminate artificial barriers which deny
qualified individuals a chance to compete for a job," said
Isabelle Katz Pinzler, Acting Assistant Attorney General for
Civil Rights. 

     Before today's agreement, the job Janitor I, which offered
the lowest salary and benefits of all janitorial positions in the
Baton Rouge Parish School District, was only filled by women. 
However, the majority of higher paying positions (known as
Janitor II and III) were filled mostly by men.  The higher
positions required workers to do some additional outdoor yard
work, such as mowing the lawn.

     The agreement, which will be in effect for four years,
requires the school board to provide job opportunities and
seniority status for qualified female workers.  The school board
will also establish a $95,000 fund to provide back pay to
claimants. 

     The agreement still must be approved by the court.


 97-133