For the first time ever, there are more Asian students in the Coppell Independent School District than any other ethnic group.
New enrollment numbers from the Texas Education Agency show 11,881 attend students in Coppell schools, including 4,839 Asians – or 41 percent.
But some families feel their voices aren't being heard because out of the seven board members, not one is Asian American.
Now, Coppell parent Dr. Pankaj Jain is suing over what he says is a lack of Asian representation on the school board.
"It's just time to request a school board system to comply with U.S. laws," Jain said.
Like many school districts, Coppell has an at-large election system, meaning board members are elected based on how the entire city votes, not individual districts.
According to the lawsuit filed Thursday, "The at-large election system denies Asian American voters a fair opportunity to elect the candidates of their choosing."”
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"It's high time the school district recognize the growing needs of Asian parents and Asian students and Asian cultures have tremendous values," Jain said.
In an e-mail, a Coppell ISD spokesperson said the district, "Has not received any legal notification of a lawsuit related to an alleged violation of voter rights. Additional comment by the District may be provided at a later date and time."
Three similar lawsuits have been filed against the Carrollton-Farmers Branch, Irving and Grand Prairie school districts. Each lawsuit ended in the plaintiff's favor.
