In two unrelated cases, school employees brought actions against county boards of education, challenging employment decisions. Boards moved to dismiss on Eleventh Amendment immunity grounds. In one case, the United States District Court denied motion, while, in the other, the District Court, granted motion. Parties appealed and appeals were consolidated.
The Court of Appeals held that school boards in Alabama counties were not arms or alter egos of state, and thus did not have Eleventh Amendment immunity.