Fredericks v. New York City Department of Education

Background

Shakeerah Imani Fredericks, representing herself, sued the New York City Department of Education and the United Federation of Teachers. She alleges that she was wrongfully terminated from her employment with the New York City Department of Education. In an earlier order dated February 15, 2024, the court allowed her to proceed without prepaying filing fees.

Service of process

Because Fredericks was allowed to proceed without prepaying fees, the court explained that she could rely on the court and the U.S. Marshals Service to serve the defendants. The order specifically addressed service on the United Federation of Teachers. The court stated that the usual 90-day service period could not begin before the court reviewed the amended complaint and ordered that summonses be issued. It therefore extended the service period until 90 days after the summonses were issued.

Order

The court directed the Clerk of Court to issue a summons for the United Federation of Teachers, complete the required U.S. Marshals Service Process Receipt and Return form with the union’s address, and provide the Marshals Service with the documents needed for service. The Clerk was also directed to mail Fredericks an information package. The court instructed Fredericks to request more time if the amended complaint was not served within 90 days after the summonses were issued. It further required her to notify the court in writing if her address changed and stated that the action could be dismissed if she failed to do so.

Judge Katherine Polk Failla’s order concerned service and case administration. It did not decide the merits of Fredericks’s wrongful-termination allegations.