Opinion
ORDER
KIMBERLY J. MUELLER, District Judge.
On February 10, 2015, this court directed the parties to meet and confer to develop a new joint report addressing, among other things, (1) whether notice or redaction of defendants' records is required under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and (2) methods for streamlining the production of discovery. (Order, ECF No. 91 at 2.) On March 12, 2015, the parties filed their joint report, stating they had met as directed. (ECF No. 93 at 2.) Despite their efforts, the parties continue to be unable to reach agreement on fundamental methods of sharing electronic information so as to allow discovery to proceed efficiently and effectively. (Id. at 4-9.)
Based on their most recent joint report and the parties' past inability to reach agreement on discovery procedures and practices, this court finds the appointment of a special master appropriate for the limited purpose, at least initially, of assisting the parties in developing methods of propounding and responding to requests for electronic discovery materials. Accordingly, the court directs the parties to submit a joint report, at least three (3) days before the April 30, 2015 status conference, identifying at least three (3) and no more than five (5) candidates for the position of special master, as described herein. Each person on the parties' joint list must be someone to whom all parties will agree if that person is appointed as special master. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 53.
At the April 30th status, the court will review procedures for actual appointment of a master, and for resolving the parties' dispute regarding FERPA notice.
IT IS SO ORDERED.