Des Moines School District Settled Discrimination Lawsuit
The district agreed to a $24,000 payment to resolve claims filed by a former Hoyt Middle School principal.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Special Education
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Des Moines Public Schools has settled a discrimination lawsuit filed in December 2025 by former Hoyt Middle School principal Fairouz Bishara-Rantisi Martinez. The resolution concludes the legal dispute before it reached its scheduled November 2027 trial date.
Why it matters
The settlement resolves claims that the plaintiff was passed over for senior positions within the district, though the school system maintains no admission of wrongdoing or liability. This outcome highlights the financial and administrative resolution of employment disputes for local taxpayers.
The $24,000 settlement includes $16,000 designated for lost wages and emotional distress, alongside $8,000 allocated for attorney fees. This payout resolves all claims made by the former principal who served at Hoyt Middle School starting in 2022.
The players
Des Moines Public Schools
The local school district serving Des Moines students and managing district personnel policies.
Fairouz Bishara-Rantisi Martinez
A former principal at Hoyt Middle School who filed the discrimination lawsuit and currently works in state human resources.
The details
The settlement was reached to dismiss the lawsuit filed in 2025 after the plaintiff alleged discriminatory hiring practices in senior district roles. While the district agreed to the financial terms, it explicitly did not admit to any wrongdoing or liability. The plaintiff, who was replaced as principal during the 2025-2026 academic year, has since transitioned to a human resources role with the state.
Timeline
2022: Fairouz Bishara-Rantisi Martinez became Hoyt Middle School principal.
December 2025: The lawsuit was filed against the district.
2025-2026: The plaintiff was replaced as principal.
November 2027: The trial was originally scheduled to begin.
The Home Front
This settlement reflects a common trend in public-sector employment litigation where districts opt for financial resolution rather than proceeding to a public trial. It follows the established pattern of managing district personnel disputes through out-of-court agreements.
For parents and residents, this case serves as a reminder to monitor school board meetings and district transparency reports regarding legal expenditures. Families may wish to review public school budget documents to understand how legal settlement costs are allocated within the district.
The takeaway
Employment disputes between administrators and the district are typically managed through negotiated settlements rather than public court proceedings. Residents should continue tracking school district board minutes for updates on personnel policy and public funding usage.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in local school oversight at Special Education.
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