ALEXANDRIA, La. – A Catahoula Parish schools employee claims the district, superintendent, and his school’s principal discriminated against him due to his race, gender and religion.
Plaintiff Leodis Norman, of Franklin Parish, filed his lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.
The named defendants include Catahoula Parish School District, Superintendent Johnnie Adams, and Amanda Parker, principal of Block High School in Jonesville.
In his 11-page complaint, Norman also makes allegations of retaliation, harassment, and a hostile work environment.
Norman, who is Black, was hired by Catahoula Parish schools in August 2019 as a teacher and athletic director. He also assumes the duties of a JAG-Louisiana Specialist.
A JAG-Louisiana Specialist is an educator and mentor in Louisiana schools who runs the Jobs for America’s Graduates program. They help students overcome life and school hurdles, teach career and leadership skills, and guide them to graduate and find good jobs.
Norman alleges Parker “chastised” and “humiliated” him in front of students and other teachers for pulling students out of class during instructional time.
He contends he had permission from the teacher to do so, and that it did not interfere with core subject teaching.
“Parker always conference [sic] Caucasian teachers in private while confronting African American teachers such as Plaintiff in public spaces to humiliate and diminish his authority,” his filing states.
Norman claims Parker also denied him permission to make a JAG-related field trip announcement over the intercom.
“Parker allows other Club sponsors such as the FFA and Science Club to make announcements over the intercom during instructional time,” he notes in his complaint.
In his filing, he also claims Parker denied his request that an assistant coach travel with the boys’ basketball team, while an assistant coach was allowed to travel with the girls’ team
He also contends Parker prohibited him from having JAG officer meetings during class hours, unlike others.
“Defendant Parker allows other sponsors and the football coach to meet doing class time,” his complaint states.
Norman also claims that Parker “pressured” co-workers to make false statements against him.
He alleges Parker also treated him differently because of his religious beliefs.
“In December 2025 Plaintiff was on a religious fast which required him to wear a religious cap,” the filing states. “Parker instructed Plaintiff to remove the cap or be written up.”
He contends he was removed as athletic director “without explanation,” and has been retaliated against because he filed an internal complaint in February 2025 alleging the school district’s discriminatory treatment.
He describes their treatment as “willfully oppressive” in the complaint.
Norman seeks back pay, an “equitable” increase in pay, compensatory damages, punitive damages and attorney fees.
Attorney Carol D. Powell Lexing in Monroe, Louisiana, is representing him in the lawsuit.
