Local

Parents file lawsuit to pause Union Co. redistricting process

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — More than a dozen Union County parents have filed a lawsuit designed to stop the redistricting process, at least temporarily.

The complaint filed Monday afternoon in Union County court lists 15 plaintiffs who are suing the school board over claims board members intentionally misled the public in the redistricting process.

The lawsuit requests a temporary restraining order against the process. A judge could hold a hearing as early as Tuesday.

The legal action is being funded by a group called CAPS, or Citizens for Adequate Public Schools. CAPS President Kim Hillegas is the first plaintiff listed on the lawsuit.

"There are absolutely no checks and balances for our Board of Education," Hillegas said.

Hillegas said after the BOE's surprise vote on March 4, parents felt like they had no choice but to take legal action.

"There are laws that they need to follow, and there are expectations within the law of things that they need to do," Hillegas said.

Hillegas said nearly 500 parents have joined CAPS, which has filed for nonprofit status and has raised more than $8,000 to pay for the injunction.