Northcross v. Memphis City Schools Board of Education Brief for Cross-Appellants
Public Court Documents
June 30, 1972
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Brief Collection, LDF Court Filings. Jackson v. Wheatley School District No. 28 Appendix, 1969. 798e9efe-b89a-ee11-be36-6045bdeb8873. LDF Archives, Thurgood Marshall Institute. https://ldfrecollection.org/archives/archives-search/archives-item/f02486d6-95a8-4498-98c0-46384ab5701a/jackson-v-wheatley-school-district-no-28-appendix. Accessed July 01, 2025.
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In the
MnitPii Glrntri nf Appeals
F oe the E ighth Circuit
No. 19952
L. R. J ackson, et al.,
v.
Appellants,
W heatley S chool D istrict N o. 28
of St. Francis County, Arkansas, et al.,
Appellees.
APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT1
FOB THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
EASTERN DIVISION
A P P E N D I X
J ack Greenberg
J ames M. Nabrit
N orman C. A maker
Conrad K . H arper
10 Columbus Circle
Suite 2030
New York, New York 10019
J ohn W alker
1820 West 13tb Street
Little Rock, Arkansas
George H oward, J r.
329% Main Street
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Attorneys for Appellants
I N D E X
Docket Entries .... ......................_____ _________ __ la
Complaint ___________________ __________ __ __ 2a
Answer ........ .............. ............... .... ..... .......... ................ 7a
Letter Memorandum dated June 27, 1969 _______ ___ 10a
Transcript of Testimony ____ ____ ___ _________ .5-343
Judgment ...................... ... ........ ................................... . 344
Notice of Appeal....... .......... ............... ........................ . 345
Bond for Costs on Appeal____ ____ __ ____ ____ __ 346
Testimony
Plaintiffs’ W itnesses:
Sidney Kennedy—
Direct .... ..... ..................... ............................... 6
Ira 0. Wheeler—
Direct ______________ __ _________ ______ 19
Cross ......... ....... ............ ................................... 65
Redirect ............ ........... .............. ..............75, 86, 87
Recross ......................... .......... ..... .................85, 87
By the Court ............ ..................................... ......... 89
L. R. Jackson—
Direct ______ __ ____ ________ __________ 95
Cross ------- ------- ------------- ------ --------- - 121
Redirect ...... ........................ ........... ................ 140
Recross ....... .... ................................... ........... 142
By the Court..................... ................. ........ ............. 143
PAGE
Marvin E. Coleman—
Direct ..... ....... .......................................... ....... 144
Cross ............ 149
Redirect ..................................... 153
By the Court ............................................ 154
Mittie Jackson—
Direct...... ................ 337
Defendants’ Witnesses:
Mittie Jackson—
Direct ....................... 155
William Irving—
Direct ..... 160
Cross .............. 169
Bv the Court ............................... 175
Malissa A. Meeks—
Direct ........... 180
Cross ..................... 189
Redirect ...... 191
Recross ........... 193
Bobby Michaelis—
Direct ............................................................. 195
Cross ........ 205
Redirect ...................................... .......-............ 215
Recross ____ _______ —............... -....— ........ 216
Billy Joe Jo n es-
Direct ............................ .................................— 218
Cross ...........— .............. -............. -...... —- ........ 230
Redirect .............. —............................... -.... ..... 241
ii
PAGE
I l l
Russell James Noosler—
Direct ............................... ................................ 242
Cross ........................................................ ....246, 251
By the Court .............................. ...... ...................... 250
Redirect ............ 252
Recross ............ ........................................... ..... 252
Robert G. Noosler—
Direct ...................... 255
Cross ...... .................................. ............... ........ 261
Redirect ................ 268
Recross .................. .......... ..... ........... .............. 269
By the Court ................... ............. .......................... 274
Sidney M. Kennedy—
Direct ........... .................................. ........... ..... 275
Cross ..... .........- .... ......................................— 301
Redirect ................ 328
By the Court ........................ ................................... 329
Recross ................. 334
E xhibits
Plaintiff s’ Exhibits:
Offered
Page
1— Letter dated May 28, 1968 ............................. 48
2— Letter dated November 20, 1968 ............... 51
3— Letter dated May 28, 1968 ......................... 52
4— Letter dated May 28, 1968 ........................... — 55
5— Letter dated May 28, 1968 ........... ..............— 58
6— Minutes of Board March 25, 1964 ............... 59
7— Minutes of Board April 11, 1960 ..... ....... . 60
8— Minutes of Board April 2, 1968 ................ ...... 61
PAGE
Offered
Page
9—Minutes of Board March 11, 1968 ....— .......... 64
10— Invoice of School Products Co. ... 303
11— Statement of School Products Co................. 303
12— Statement of School Products Co........... 304
13— No. of students in classes _____.________ 320
14— No. of students in High School ....... ............ 321
15— List of teachers ’67-’68 school y e a r ...... ........ 336
Defendants’ Exhibits:
1— Minutes of Board April 29, 1968 ... .............. 71
2— State Dept. Certificate (Le Roy Jackson) ..... 123
3— —90 hour Permits ...... — ..................... - ....... 153
4— 90 hour Permits ........................ ........... ....... 153
5— Teacher’s Contract ( Millie Jackson) .......... 163
6— Elementary Certificate (Mrs. Meeks) ------ 192
7— Student’s Permanent Record (Mrs. Meeks) .... 193
8— Letter dated October 19, 1967 ___— ...... . 283
9— Reading Tests (Nelson and California) .. 296
iv
la
9-12-68
9-27-68
2- 5-69
3- 13-69
3-14-69
7- 1-69
7- 1-69
7-28-69
7-28-69
D ocket Entries
Complaint filed.
Answer filed.
Pre-trial before Judge Harris in Helena. Prayer
of complaint to be amended and counsel for
parties to complete discovery. Case set for trial
on March 13th.
Court trial before Judge Harris in Helena be
gun at 9 :30 a.m. Not having been concluded at
5 :20 p.m., continued until March 14th at 9 :30
a.m.
Court trial resumed. At the conclusion of testi
mony for parties, briefs to be submitted; defen
dant— 20 days; pltf— 10 days to reply.
Letter memorandum by Harris, J. filed.
Judgment, claims of plaintiff denied and com
plaint dismissed, signed and dated June 30,
1969.
Notice of appeal filed by plaintiffs.
Bond for costs on appeal filed by plaintiffs.
2a
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
E astern District of Arkansas
E astern D ivision
Complaint
Civil A ction F ile No. H 68 C-22
L. R. J ackson, Marvin E. Coleman, Mrs. Mittie J ackson,
Mrs. Malissa A. Meeks and the Arkansas T eachers
A ssociation, A Nonprofit Association Organized Under
the Laws of the State of Arkansas,
Plaintiffs,
vs.
W heatley S chool District No. 28 of St . F rancis County,
Arkansas, A Corporation; S idney K ennedy, Superin
tendent of Schools of the Wheatley School Dist. No. 28;
and I ra 0 . W heeler, B illy J oe J ones, B obby" Mich -
aelis, B obby Noosler and P aul Behring, Board of
Directors of the Wheatley School Dist. No. 28 of St.
Francis County, Arkansas,
Defendants.
I.
The jurisdiction of this Court is invoked under Sections
1331, 1343, 2201 and 2202 of Title 28 of the United States
Code. This is an action in equity authorized by Sections
1981 and 1983 of Title 42 of the United States Code to
be brought by a citizen of the United States or other
persons within the jurisdiction thereof to redress the
deprivation, under color of state law, statute, ordinance,
3a
regulation, custom or usage of rights, privileges and
immunities secured by the equal protection and due
process clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Con
stitution of the United States.
II.
This is a proceeding for a preliminary and permanent
injunction enjoining the Wheatley School District No. 28,
its members and its Superintendent from generally re
fusing to employ, reemploy, assign and use teachers with
out regard to race or color and specifically from refusing
to offer teacher contracts for the 1968-69 school year to
plaintiffs L. R. Jackson, Marvin E. Coleman, Mrs. Mittie
Jackson and Mrs. Malissa A. Meeks and other members
of their class similarly situated solely because of their
race and color.
III.
Individual plaintiffs are Negro citizens of the State of
Arkansas and the United States who were employed by
defendants to teach in the all Negro Wheatley Central
Elementary School for the 1967-68 school year.
Plaintiff L. R. Jackson holds a B. S. Degree and has
teaching experience in excess of 10 years.
Plaintiff Marvin E. Coleman holds a B. S. Degree and
has teaching experience in excess of 10 years.
Plaintiff Mrs. Malissa A. Meeks holds a B. A. Degree
and has teaching experience in excess of 10 years.
Plaintiff Mittie Jackson holds a B. S. Degree and has
teaching experience in excess of 10 years.
Plaintiff Arkansas Teachers Association, Inc. (ATA)
is an incorporated professional organization which repre
sents most of the Negro teachers in the State of Arkansas.
Complaint
4a
The ATA. is authorized by its membership to engage in
litigation to protect the employment rights and integrity
of its members. Plaintiffs are members of the Arkansas
Teachers Association, Inc.
Complaint
IV.
Defendant Wheatley School District No. 28 of St. Francis
County, Arkansas, is a public body corporate organized
and operating under the laws of the State of Arkansas.
Defendant Sidney Kennedy is the Superintendent of
Schools of defendant school district.
Defendants Ira 0. Wheeler, Billy Joe Jones, Bobby
Michaelis, Bobby Noosler and Paul Tehring are members
of the Board of Directors of the Wheatley School District
No. 28 of St. Francis County, Arkansas.
Y.
Defendant school district operates the public schools
within the Wheatley School District No. 28 which includes:
The Wheatley Elementary School and Wheatley High
School and prior to the 1968-69 school term, the all Negro
Wheatley Central Elementary School.
VI.
Prior to the 1968-69 school term, defendants operated
a completed segregated school system for white and Negro
pupils. However, at the close of the 1967-68 school term,
defendants decided to close the all Negro elementary school,
namely, Wheatley Central Elementary School, in order to
comply with the requirements of the office of Education
of the United States Department of Health, Education and
Welfare and plaintiffs were advised by Superintendent
5a
Sidney Kennedy that as a result of the desegregation of
the schools, they would not be employed for the 1968-69
school term.
That plaintiffs further allege that they were dismissed
as teachers and were refused reemployment within the
Wheatley School District No. 28 solely because of their
race and color and because of a policy of defendants to
assign Negro teachers to the formerly all white schools
on a token basis; plaintiffs further allege that although
four or five vacancies were created as a result of resigna
tions on the part of certain white teachers, defendants
failed and refused to consider plaintiffs for such vacancies
and that defendants have hired or will hire for the 1968-69
school term white teachers to teach in the Wheatley School
District No. 28 of St. Francis County, Arkansas, whose
experience and qualifications are inferior to that possessed
by plaintiffs.
Complaint
VII.
That by the denial of employment of these plaintiffs
within the Wheatley School District No. 28 of St. Francis
County, Arkansas, solely on the basis of race and color
of these plaintiffs, plaintiffs are subjected to and have
suffered irreparable harm and injury. That no plain, ade
quate and complete remedy exist to redress this injury
other than this action for injunctive relief. Any other
remedy to which these plaintiffs could be remitted would
be attended by such uncertainties and delays as to deny
substantial relief and cause further irreparable injury,
damage and vexation.
Whebeeobe, it is respectfully prayed that upon the filing
of this Complaint, as may appear proper and convenient
6a
to the Court and upon a hearing of this cause, this Court
enter a permanent injunction requiring the defendants,
their agents, employees and successors to :
A. Offer the plaintiffs a contract for the 1968-69 school
term in accordance with their qualifications and experiences
without regard to their race and color; and,
B. Enjoin defendants from employing any teachers to
replace the plaintiffs until this matter has been duly heard
by the Court.
I n the Alternative, plaintiffs pray that if the Court
does not see fit to grant them the relief prayed above, the
Court grant them money damages for loss of reputation
in the teaching profession and in the community, reason
able attorneys’ fees, cost of this action and for any and
all other proper relief.
Respectfully submitted,
/ s / George H oward, J r.
George H oward, J r.
329% Main Street
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
J ohn W . W a lk er
1304-B Wright Avenue
Little Rock, Arkansas
J ack Greenberg and
Michael Meltsner
10 Columbus Circle
New York, New York
Attorneys for Plaintiffs
C omplaint
7a
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
E astern D istrict of A rkansas
E astern D ivision
Civil A ction F ile No. H 68 C-22
Answer
L. R. J ackson, Marvin E. Coleman, Mrs. Mittie J ackson,
Mrs. Malissa A. Meeks and the A rkansas T eachers
A ssociation, A Nonprofit Association Organized Under
the Laws of the State of Arkansas,
Plaintiffs,
vs.
W heatley School District N o. 28 of St. F rancis County,
A rkansas, A Corporation; Sidney K ennedy, Superin
tendent of Schools of the Wheatley School Dist. No. 28;
and I ra 0 . W heeler, B illy J oe J ones, B obby Mich -
aelis, B obby Noosler and P aul Gehring, Board of
Directors of the Wheatley School Dist. No. 28 of St.
Francis County, Arkansas,
Defendants.
I.
Defendants, jointly and severally, deny each and every
allegation contained in Paragraph I of the complaint of
plaintiffs.
II.
Defendants admit that the proceeding instituted by the
plaintiffs appears to be one requesting a preliminary and
permanent injunction enjoining the Wheatley School Dis
8a
Answer
trict No. 28, its members and its superintendent, and De
fendants, jointly and severally, deny each and every other
allegation contained in Paragraph II of the complaint of
the plaintiffs.
III.
Defendants admit that plaintiffs are Negro citizens of
the State of Arkansas and the United States who were
employed by defendants to teach in the all Negro Wheatley
Elementary School for the 1967-68 school year, and de
fendants, jointly and severally, allege that they are without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as
to the truth of the balance of the allegations contained in
Paragraph III of the complaint of the plaintiffs.
IV.
Defendants admit Paragraph IV of the complaint of the
plaintiffs.
V.
Defendants admit Paragraph V of the complaint of the
plaintiffs.
VI.
Defendants admit that they decided to close the all
Negro Wheatley Elementary School, namely, Wheatley
Central Elementary School, in an effort to comply with
the requirements of the Office of Education of the United
States Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and
defendants, jointly and severally, deny each and every
other allegation contained in Paragraph VI of the com
plaint of the plaintiffs.
9a
VII.
Defendants, jointly and severally, deny each and every
allegation contained in Paragraph VII of the complaint
of the plaintiffs.
W herefore, P remises Considered, defendants, jointly
and severalty, respectfully pray that the complaint of
the plaintiffs be dismissed, the prayers of the complaint
of the plaintiffs be denied, for costs of this action and
for any and all other proper relief.
Respectfully submitted,
P hil H icky and E. J. B utler,
Attorneys for Defendants,
P. 0. Box 830
Forrest City, Arkansas
By / s / E. J . B utler
E. J. Butler
Answer
10a
United States District Courts
E astern & Western Districts op Arkansas
P. 0. Box 1733
E l Dorado, Arkansas 71730
Oren H arris
CHIEF JUDGE
WESTERN DISTRICT
June 27, 1969
Honorable John W. Walker
1820 West 13th Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202
Honorable E. J. Butler
P. O. Box 830
Forrest City, Arkansas 72335
Re: Ho. H 68 C-22
L. R. Jackson, et al. v.
Wheatley School District Ho. 28, et al.
Gentlemen:
This case was tried to the Court Thursday, March 13
and Friday, March 14, 1969, at Helena. Briefs have been
submitted by the parties pursuant to request which was
granted by the Court following the conclusion of the
testimony. A copy of this letter is being filed with the
clerk to be considered as the opinion of the Court to
include finding of facts and conclusions of law.
This proceeding was brought by the plaintiffs, L. R.
Jackson, Marvin E. Coleman, Mrs. Mittie Jackson and Mrs.
Malissa A. Meeks, under 42 U.S.C.A. §§ 1981 and 1983, seek
ing to redress the deprivation under color of state law of
Letter Memorandum dated June 2 7 , 1 9 6 9
11a
rights, privileges and immunities secured by the equal pro
tection and due process clauses of the Fourteenth Amend
ment to the Constitution of the United States. The juris
diction of the Court is invoked under 28 U.S.C.A. §§ 1331,
2201 and 2202. The plaintiff, The Arkansas Teachers As
sociation, Inc,, (ATA) joins in the proceeding as repre
sentative of Negro Teachers in the State of Arkansas.
This action seeks a preliminary and permanent injunction
to enjoin the Wheatley School District No. 28 of St, Francis
County, Arkansas, its superintendent and members of the
board of directors from refusing to reemploy, assign and
use teachers without regard to race or color and specifi
cally from refusing to offer teacher-contracts for the 1968-
69 school year to plaintiff's, L. R. Jackson, Marvin E.
Coleman, Mrs. Mittie Jackson and Mrs. Malissa A. Meeks,
solely because of their race and color.
These plaintiffs are Negro citizens previously employed
by the defendants to teach and were teachers in the all-
Negro Wheatley Central Elementary School for the 1967-
68 school year. Each of the plaintiffs taught certain classes
in the elementary school for certain periods of time prior
to the 1967-68 school year. The school district operated a
dual segregated school system which resulted in the plain
tiffs being employed to teach the elementary grades in this
all-Negro elementary school. It had only a “B” rating
under established procedures as provided by the laws of
the state.
In 1965 the school district adopted a program for inte
grating the school system to meet the requirements by
the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare. Com
mencing with the school year 1967-68 grades six through
twelve, inclusive, were integrated with the completion of
new facilities for the school district, For grades one through
five the school used “freedom of choice”. However, all stu
Letter Memorandum dated June 27, 1969
Letter Memorandum dated dime 27,1969
dents attended the new Wheatley schools on an integrated
basis except some ninety students who attended the all-
Negro Wheatley Central Elementary School taught by
these and other all-Negro faculty members.
With apparent approval of H.E.W. the school district
intended to continue the operation of the all-Negro Wheat-
ley Central Elementary School for the school year 1968-69.
On March 1, 1968, the defendants mailed freedom-of-choice
forms to the parents of the children of these elementary
grades in the school district. This was required under the
approved freedom-of-choice plan. The parents had until
April 1, 1968, to submit the elections as to which elemen
tary school their child would attend.
In the meantime, on March 11, 1968, at a regular meeting
of the school board it was decided that nine of the teachers
in the school system would be reemployed for the school
year 1968-69. At the same time the school board decided
that four of the teachers would not be reemployed for the
school year 1968-69. They were James Cooper (a white
teacher), the plaintiffs, L. R. Jackson, Mrs. Mittie Jackson
and Mrs. Malissa A. Meeks (Negro teachers). This action
was taken on recommendation of the then superintendent
of schools, Richardson. (Mr. Richardson subsequently re
signed as superintendent of schools effective July 1, 1968,
and was succeeded by Mr. Sidney Kennedy as superinten
dent at that time.)
For the school year of 1967-68 five Negroes taught a
total of ninety students in the first five grades at Wheatley
Central Elementary School. From the report under the
freedom-of-choice procedure as of April 1, 1968, some sixty
of the students attending Wheatley Central the preceding
year elected to attend Wheatley Elementary for the ensuing
school year leaving only about twenty-five students to be
enrolled in Wheatley Central for the five grades. The
13a
Letter Memorandum dated June 27, 1969
school board in a regular meeting on April 2, 1968, deter
mined that it would be impractical to continue the elemen
tary Wheatley Central School by employing five teachers
to teach twenty-five students for the school year 1968-69.
The school board decided to move all students from the
Wheatley Central to the Wheatley Elementary School thus
completely integrating the entire school system of the dis
trict.
With the closing of the Wheatley Central the dual system
no longer existed within the school district. This made it
necessary for the school board to make adjustments re
evaluating the faculty and arrange for the operation of the
integrated school system without racial consideration as
to both students and faculty.
At the April 2, 1968, meeting of the school board it was
decided that Mr. Billy Harris (a white teacher) would not
be reemployed and he was notified of the decision. The
school board determined that it was necessary to upgrade
the faculty in order to maintain an “A” rating. With the
employment of the new superintendent of schools, Mr. Ken
nedy, the school board entered into a contract with Mrs.
Kennedy and one other teacher which would make the
component of the faculty for the school year 1968-69. This
was prior to the decision that Wheatley Central Elemen
tary School would be closed. When the plaintiffs, L. R.
Jackson, Mittie Jackson and Malissa Meeks were advised
that they would not be reemployed, even before the deci
sion to close Wheatley Central, they asked for and re
ceived a hearing before the board. The board advised them
the reason for their action and they were informed that
should they wish to reapply and there was a vacancy for
which either of them would be qualified, consideration would
be given to their reemployment. But at the time the hear
ing was given by the board it had already been decided to
14a
Letter Memorandum dated June 27,1969
close the Wheatley Central Elementary School and thus
their previous position as elementary teachers no longer
existed. Neither of the plaintiffs made formal application
for future consideration.
Mrs. Anneice Cannon, a Negro teacher, was transferred
from the closed Wheatley Central school to Wheatley Ele
mentary School. In a decision to upgrade the faculty to
meet the additional standards she was the only teacher at
Central qualified to teach in Wheatley Elementary. The
board reemployed for the school year 1968-69 Iola Fay
Dickson, Lou Anna Spears, and Vicki Haley, all Negro
teachers. James Haley, a Negro teacher and husband of
Vila Haley, had resigned and had been given a release.
Thus, for the school year 1967-68 the Wheatley School
District employed twenty-three teachers, including the
superintendent. Five were located at Wheatley Central all-
Negro elementary and eighteen in the new Wheatley inte
grated schools. With the closing of Wheatley Central Ele
mentary the number of teachers required for the school
system was reduced to eighteen, exclusive of the superin
tendent. Of the eighteen employed for the school year
1968-69 four were Negro teachers and fourteen were white
teachers.
The plaintiff, Marvin E. Coleman, had received an “emer
gency permit” from the Department of Education, State
of Arkansas, to finish the school year as a teacher at
Wheatley Central Elementary School for the 1967-68 school
year. His emergency permit expired automatically on
August 31, 1968. There was some question that he would
be certified and qualified to teach in the school year 1968-69
unless he obtained additional semester hours of new credit.
He was advised that he would not be reemployed under the
conditions unless he obtained the additional requirements.
He failed to meet the requirements and was therefore of
15a
fered no contract for the school year 1968-69. He testified
that later in the year he was certified by the Department of
Education.
It is quite apparent that Mrs. Jackson met the quali
fications as a teacher but there was substantial question as
to her conduct in the community to become employed as a
teacher in the integrated school of the Wheatley School
system. There is substantial question as to the qualifica
tions of Both L. R. Jackson and Malissa A. Meeks. L. R.
Jackson and Mrs. Jackson are husband and wife, and Ma
lissa Meeks is the sister of L. R. Jackson. It appears there
is no- question but what the record of Mr. Jackson, Mrs.
Meeks and Mr. Coleman was primarily responsible for the
low rating being maintained for the Wheatley Central Ele
mentary School.
This action for injunctive relief was filed September 12,
1968. The school year had already begun or was just started
and arrangements for teachers had long since been made.
In the meantime, Mrs. Jackson obtained a position as
teacher at the Forrest City schools at a comparable salary
that- she received at the Wheatley schools.
Mr. Coleman apparently made up requirements to some
extent during the summer, received his certificate to teach
and obtained a position with the Arkansas Enterprises for
the Blind with a reduction in salary from $4800 to $4200
for the school year.
Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Meeks were unable to obtain com
parable teaching positions with their record, but were given
employment with reduced salaries at Brinklej^ in a special
program of adult teaching.
This is another instance where a school system has ac
complished integration as required by law, which unfor
tunately resulted in adjustment that caused certain of the
teachers to become victims of the “constitutionally required
Letter Memorandum dated June 27, 1969
16a
process”. In Arkansas a school district has the right to
investigate the competency and fitness of those employed
to teach in its schools. There is no obligation on the part
of the board to rehire a teacher should a determination be
made that it would not be in the best interest of the school
system if such decision is not based on the grounds of racial
considerations.
Public school teachers have a right to demand and to
be shown that race is not the criteria by which employment
is granted or denied in determining whether the termina
tion of a school teacher was racially motivated. This, as
all other cases, must be decided upon the basis of its on
particular facts, but in so doing the adjustments required
must be kept in mind.
While there must be a source of satisfaction that the
criteria for a constitutionally operated school system has
been accomplished, it is unfortunate that some may be ad
versely affected with the necessary adjustments. The pro
cess of school integration is not always an easy accomplish
ment. Disappointments as a result of integration will ob
viously result in some instances. This appears to be the
situation in this instance.
Jurisdiction is established, with respect to due process
and equal protection, under the Civil Rights Statute, 42
U.S.C.A. §§ 1981 and 1988, and under 28 U.S.C.A. § 1343(3)
and (4), and is not questioned.
The Court concludes that this situation comes within the
Walton decision, 401 F.2d 137, 1968. The Court said in that
case, “Those who are employment victims of the constitu
tionally required process should not immediately jump to
the conclusion that their predicament is necessarily the
result of racial considerations. They have every right to
demand and to be shown that race is not the criterion by
which employment is granted or denied. They must, how
LeMer Memorandum dated June 27, 1969
17a
ever, face the fact that integration tends to do away with
expensive and unnecessary duplication for districts already
too short of funds and that often some persons will be
terminated.”
Such is the case here regardless of the questions as to
qualifications of one or more of the plaintiff's. The testi
mony is clear that with the adjustment there was no vacancy
for elementary teachers in the new school system effectuated
by this school district for the school year of 1968-69. The
testimony is clear that only one teacher was replaced in
the elementary grades and that was at the time the school
commenced when one of the Negro teachers resigned due
to pregnancy. This in no way indicates that this Court
decides this case contrary to the numerous eases decided
in recent years. As was stated in the Walton case (supra)
the facts do not add up to a showing of discrimination.
During the course of the hearing it was conceded that
the question of contracts for these plaintiffs for the school
year 1968-69 was moot, Counsel for the plaintiffs requested
in the alternative that the Court grant damages for loss of
reputation in the teaching profession and in the commu
nity and reasonable attorney’s fees. The Court concludes
that the evidence is not sufficient to sustain the plaintiffs’
contention of damages for loss of reputation in the teach
ing profession and in the community.
Further, “in view of these conclusions, appellants are not
entitled to attorney’s fees”. Walton v. Nashville, Arkansas
Special School Dist. No. 1, supra.
And order will be entered denying the claim of the plain-
tigs and dismissing the complaint.
Sincerely yours,
/ s / Obex Harris
Oren Harris, Judge
Letter Memorandum dated June 27,1969
cc.: Mr. W. H. McClellan, Clerk
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OP ARKANSAS
EASTERN DIVISION
L. R. JACKSON, et al. ,
Plaintiffs,
- v s -
WHEATLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 28
OP ST. FRANCIS COUNTY, ARKANSAS,
61 Q.1 • j
Defendants.
)
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j No. H 68 C-22
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VOLUME I
Helena, Arkansas
March 13 & 1^, 1969 Pages 1 -
JO A N F. LINES
U nited S tates C ourt R eporter
FEDERAL BUILDING
E l Dorad o , A rkansas
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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
EASTERN DIVISION
L. R. JACKSON, et al.,
Plaintiffs,
-vs-
WHEATLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 28
OF ST. FRANCIS COUNTY, ARKANSAS,
et al.,
Defendants.
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) No. H 68 C-22
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BE IT REMEMBERED, that the above entitled and
numbered cause came on to be heard at Helena, Arkansas, on
the 13th and 14th days of March, 1969, before Honorable Oren
Harris, United States District Judge, wherein the following
proceedings were had, to wit:
APPEARANCES:
For the Plaintiffs: Honorable John W. Walker
1820 West 13th Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202
For the Defendants: Honorable E. J. Butler
P. 0. Box 830
Forrest City, Arkansas 72335
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Index of Testimony
Witness Dir. :Cross :Red.:Recr.:Re-Red.:Re-Rec:Re-Re-Red
Walker:Butler: : : : :
: Ct
Sidney Kennedy: 6 : : : : : : ;
Ira 0. Wheeler: 19 : 65 : 75 : 85 : 86 : 87 : 87, 94
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L. R. Jackson : 95 : 121 : 140: 142 : : : 143
Marvin Coleman: 145 : 149 : 153: : : : 154
Mittie Jackson:Butler
: 155 : : : : : :
William Irving: 160 : 169 : : : : : 175
Continued in Volume II
Pis' 1
Pis ' 2
Pis’ 3
Pis’ 4
Pis' 5
Pis' 6
Pis' 7
Pis’ 8
Pis’ 9
D ef 1
Def' 2
Def’ 3
Def' 5
Plaintiffs' Exhibits
Letter to Mr. Coleman, 5/28/68................
Letter to superintendent, 11/20/68............
Letter to Mrs. Meeks, 5/28/68.................
Letter to Mrs. Jackson, 5/28/68...............
Letter to Mr. Jackson, 5/28/68................
Minutes of Board, 3/25/6^4......................
Minutes of Board, 4/11/60......................
Minutes of Board, 4/2/68.......................
Minutes of Board, 3/11/68......................
Continued in Volume II
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Defendants Exhibits
Minutes of Board, 4/29/68.......................
Lee Roy Jackson State Department Certificate...
4 - Ninety-hour permits.........................
Teacher's Contract, Mittie Jackson.............
Page
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Continued in Volume II
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P R O C E E D I N G S
THE COURT: There are two cases scheduled
for trial this morning, L. R. Jackson, et al, versus
the Wheatley School District; and John Bolden, et al,
versus the Wheatley Special School District No. 28.
Both of these cases arise out of the same school district,
and as I recall from the pretrial in the matter primarily
the same witnesses will be used in both cases. It was
suggested by Mr. Walker that he wanted to try them
separately. This morning we will hear L. R. Jackson,
et al, versus the Wheatley School District, H 68 C-22.
Are you gentlemen ready to proceed?
MR. V/ALKER: Plaintiffs are ready, Your Honor.
MR, BUTLER: Defendants are ready, Your Honor.
THE COURT: At the outset are there any problerr
with reference to the pleadings or motions, or any reques
MR. BUTLER: Your Honor, I would like to state
that there has been a change in witnesses. When we
were here at pretrial we submitted a list, and we have
Mr. Richardson here, the former superintendent; but in
addition to the other witnesses listed we will have Mr. E
Noosler and Mr. Russell Noosler, who are both members of
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the Wheatley School Board, and Mr. Paul Gehring who was
a member of the school board and has since resigned.
Mr. Russell Noosler has been elected to take his place
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and Mr. Gehring will not be a witness.
MR. WALKER: We have no objections, Your
Honor.
THE COURT: You may proceed, Mr. Walker.
MR. WALKER: My first witness is Mr.
Sidney Kennedy.
WHEREUPON,
Sidney Kennedy, a witness called on behalf of the
plaintiffs, being first duly sworn, testified as follows:
DIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. WALKER:
Q. Please state your name?
A. I am Sidney Monroe Kennedy.
Q. And your address and occupation?
A. My address is Box 125, Wheatley, Arkansas. I am a
professional educator.
Q. Where are you presently employed?
A. Wheatley school system.
Q. And you are superintendent of that school system?
A. Yes.
Q. What was the date that you began your responsibilities
as superintendent of the Wheatley School District?
A. July 1st, 1968.
Q. What is your education, Mr. Kennedy?
A. I have a Bachelor of Science; 1 have a Master of Arts
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in Educational Administration Supervision. I have 2 4
hours on a doctor's degree in educational administration
supervision.
Q. At which institution?
A. Memphis State University.
Q. Mr. Kennedy, is it true that you had nothing to do with
the recommendations to the board of directors that the
plaintiffs in this case be dismissed?
A. Repeat your question, please?
Q. (Question repeated)
A. Yes.
Q. Did you recommend that any teachers be hired subsequent
to July 1, 1968 to the board?
A. I did not recommend. Some teachers applied to the board.
Q. My question is, then, how many teachers have been hired
subsequent to July 1, 1968?
A. I don't know.
Q. Would it be as many as two?
A. (Pause)
THE COURT: Do you understand the
question?
A. I don't understand the question - from when from 1968.
That's several years.
THE COURT: I understand Mr. Walker asked
you how many teachers have you employed, or has the
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school district employed, since July 1, 1968?
A. Since July 1?
Q. (MR. WALKER, continuing) Since you became superintendent
A. I'm sorry, I thought you said before,
Q. I said "subsequent to".
A. Two.
Q. What is the race of those teachers?
A. Caucasian.
Q. What grades do they teach?
A. One of them teaches fifth grade, and the other is a
high school principal.
Q. Was Mrs. Kennedy employed by the district subsequent to
July 1, 1968?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. So that means a third person was also hired, is that
true?
A. I ’m sorry. I'm confused on the word "subsequent". She
was hired before July 1, 1968.
Q. But it was after the close of the 1967-68 school year?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Do you know how many persons were hired after school
closed at the end of the '67-68 school year up until
July 1, the day that you took office, to teach in the
Wheatley school system?
A. All of them were hired before July 1968 except two.
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What was that number of teachers?
I don’t know.
I have a list of your teachers. Maybe you can tell
me whether these teachers were hired subsequent to
May 28, 1968, and prior to July 1, 1968, when you becan
superintendent. There is really a one-month period in
between - that is, the month of June before you became
ouperintendent, or shortly after school was out. You,
of course, were hired.
Minola Kennedy, is that your wife?
Yes.
She was hired subsequent to the end of the school year?
You keep using the word "subsequent" - could we change
that to before?
Subsequent means after, Mr. Kennedy.
All right, that’s what I was hoping, that the question
was that way, but you kept... she was hired after July?
No, after school was out last year, ’67-68.
I don't know, I don't remember these dates.
Mr. Kennedy, was your wife employed to teach by the
school district for the 1967-68 school year?
Yes .
So that means she was employed after 1967-68, right?
Just one teacher and yourself, that makes two people
who were hired. What about Estella Chlpman - did she
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work there last year?
A. I believe she did.
Q. What about Lloyd Lackey?
A. I believe he did.
Q. John Clifton?
A. You’re asking me about the '67-68 school year?
Q. Yes. Did these teachers work there during the ’67-68
school year?
A. I believe they did. As far as knowing I was not connecte
with the system. I'm pretty sure they did, though.
Q. John Stroud?
A. John Stroud did not work there '67-68 to my knowledge.
Q. He does teach there this year?
A. Yes.
Q. E. E. Fowler.
A. Teaches there this year.
Q. Did he teach there last year?
A. I believe he did.
Q. Dick Hefner?
A. Taught there last year, I believe, and he is teaching
there this year.
Q. Barbara Taylor?
A. I believe she taught there last year, and she is teaching
there this year.
Q. Edith Ann Pierce?
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A. She did not teach last year, she is teaching this year.
Q. Connie Bellinger.
A. She did not teach last year, she is teaching this year,
Q. Alpha French.
A. I believe she taught there last year, and is this year.
Q. Mrs. Hoyle Halbert?
A. She did not teach there last year, and she is teaching
this year.
Q. Laura Smith?
A. She... last year, she is teaching this year.
Q. She did teach there last year?
A. Yes.
Q. Iola Faye Dickson?
A. I would say I'm reasonably sure... these... they did
teach there last year, and they are teaching there this
year.
Q. Anneice Cannon?
A. Same for Mrs. Cannon.
Q. Lou Anna Spears?
A. Same for Mrs. Spears.
Q. Evelyn Lineback?
A. She did not teach there last year, she is teaching there
this year.
Q. William Lee?
A. He did not teach there last year, and he is teaching this
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year.
Mr. Kennedy, I count, by your statement, a total of
eight teaching personnel, or administrative personnel,
who are employed by the school district for the ’68-69
school year, who were not employed by that school
district for the *67-68 school year. Of those eight
persons that you identified, how many of those eight
are black?
That did not teach there last year?
Yes, and are teaching there this year? The ones who
are teaching there this year for the first time, how
many are black?
Not any of them are black.
Mr. Kennedy, what is the race of lola Faye Dickson?
She is Negro.
Anneice Cannon?
Negro.
Lou Anna Spears?
Negro.
What is the racial composition of the pupils that Mrs.
Dickson teaches?
The racial composition?
Yes .
She teaches predominately Negro, all Negro except one
at the present time.
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Q . How did that situation develop, sir?
A. I do not know.
Q. How did the students get assigned to class?
A. I do not know.
Q. Is it true that in a deposition given earlier on February
28, you stated that it was the choice of the students
and their parents that caused them to have their partic
ular grade assignments?
A. And their parents?
Q. Y es.
A. If it is it is not to my knowledge.
Q. Did you state that it was the choice of the pupils?
A. Basically I believe you asked me and I said that that
was about right.
Q. What grade does she teach?
A. Of whom are you speaking?
Q. Mrs. Dickson.
A. First grade.
Q. With regard to Anneice Cannon, what is the race of the
pupils who she teaches, and what grade does she teach?
A. She teaches a combination of the fourth and fifth grades.
The race is Negro.
Q. How did this result develop?
A. You mean the result that they are Negro?
Q. That all of her pupils are Negro?
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A. Actually, I don't know.
Q. Did those pupils have a choice in the selection of their
teachers?
A. Yes, I would say they did. I think we asked those
students in the fifth and fourth grades if they'd like
to go to Mrs. Cannon's room please go and a group of
them left, and I think we got too many, as best I
remember, and three students were asked to return to
the fourth-grade class.
Q. Did you consult their parents before giving them a
choice?
A. I did not.
Q. Now, Mrs. Spears is also a Negro teacher, what is the
number of white students in her class?
A. She doesn't have any white students.
Q. So that all of her pupils are Negro?
A. Yes.
Q. What grade does she teach?
A. Third grade.
Q. Were those pupils given a more or less freedom of choice-
A. Mrs. Spears herself said that she didn't want to teach
a combination first and second grade. She would like
to have a solid third. We asked the students to go
to Mrs. Spears room; she was not there in the room at
the time they walked in, and I believe the room came
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out about 2 l\ or 25 students at the time.
Q. Do you know if the racial composition of Mrs. Spears'
class last year was any different than it is this year?
A. No, sir, I do not know.
Q. Do you know whether you have ever had a Negro teacher
who had primary responsibility for teaching a fully
integrated class at the Wheatley School?
THE COURT: Mr. Walker, which case are
you trying now? I said that we would take up 22, and...
MR. WALKER: This is a Wheatley dismissal
case, Your Honor, and the reason I am going into this is
to show that a pervasive pattern of racial assignments
continues to exist at the Wheatley School.
THE COURT: That is involved in the second
suit.
MR. WALKER: I think that it is involved
in the second suit to this extent. What we are attempting
to show is that these defendants were motivated in their
dismissal of these plaintiffs by race, and that the
practices persist. This defendant did not have any
thing to do with the past practices complained about
which I have fully established. I think it is useful
to have in the record a showing that there is now
segregation within the school system.
THE COURT: That is involved in the second
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lawsuit as I suggested to you, Mr. Walker. We are
talking now about the first one, and it was your request
that we consider them separately.
MR. WALKER: Your Honor, perhaps I'm
not stating my position.
M R . BUTLER: Your Honor, I was waiting
to see how far Mr. Walker was going with this before
I interposed an objection. This suit we're trying now
has to do with the dismissal or the failure to rehire
four teachers, and it has nothing to do with the issues
about which he is interrogating the witness. We object
to that line of questioning in this particular case.
It is not applicable; and in this case we came prepared
to determine whether the failure to rehire these four
teachers who are plaintiffs was against the law of the
land.
THE COURT: That is the reason the Court
interjected the statement. I think we had better go
ahead and try one case at a time.
MR. WALKER: I want to respectfully
except to the Court's ruling. Our position, which I
think has a legal validity, is that if a school district
continues to practice desegregation this - at least
inferentially - suggests that in the past the practices
with regard to Negro teachers who have been dismissed
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have also been racially discriminatory. I will, of
course, take the Court's ruling, but I would just like to
have noted my exceptions.
THE COURT: The record so states.
MR, BUTLER: Your Honor, I would just like
to make one other statement. As I understand it, the
contention is that the teachers were not rehired because
of race. That is the sole issue.
THE COURT: The pleadings make it very
clear, and I don't think there is any misunderstanding
about it.
MR. WALKER: I take it that Your Honor
is limiting me to direct proof - at least limiting
the parties to direct proof, that the parties have
in their possession about facts leading up to and con
cluding with the termination of these four or five
teachers .
THE COURT: I understand, Mr. Walker,
that Mrs. Dickson and Mrs. Cannon and Mrs. Spears are
presently employed as teachers, is that right?
MR. WALKER: Yes, Your Honor.
THE COURT: And they are not plaintiffs
in this matter?
MR, WALKER: Right.
THE COURT: And you are asking this
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witness now about the present assignment of the students
and the makeup of the classes. Your readings go to the
question that these certain plaintiffs who are named
in your complaint were let out, or at least were not
employed, and your complaint contends that the school
district failed to employ them on the basis of race.
MR. WALKER: Your Honor, I think I can
link this up. I want to show, and I think the proof
will show, that as the pupils in the Negro school were
desegregated into the white school that they were - in
the elementary grades anyway - taken from the Negro
school to the white school, and perhaps a Negro teacher
would also be taken from the Negro school to the white
school in the early years of desegregation - and that
those teachers would continue in the white school to
teach only Negro pupils - and that the district has not
been in the past prepared to utilize Negro teachers
teaching in the white schools, teaching white pupils.
This is the proof that we want to show. This
witness can only talk about the present practice which
we say is just a continuation of the past practice.
MR. BUTLER: Your Honor, that is still
going beyond the issues in the pleadings in this particu
lar case - which the issue is, whether these four teacherls
were discharged, or they failed to rehire them, on
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grounds of race, on grounds of qualifications, or some
other grounds.
THE COURT: Mr. Walker is permitted to
show by testimony the facts which motivated the school
district in refusing or declining to re-employ these
school teachers; but if it is going to go into the
issues that you are alleging in your other lawsuit,
then we will defer that until we get to it.
Proceed.
MR. WALKER: All right, Your Honor; I
really have no more questions of this witness since I'm
limited by the Court.
MR. BUTLER: Your Honor, I will use Mr.
Kennedy as witness in chief for the defendants.
THE COURT: You do not care to cross
examine him?
MR. BUTLER: I do not care to cross
examine him.
THE COURT: Mr. Kennedy, please stand asicl
MR. WALKER: I would like to next call
the board president, Mr. Ira Wheeler.
WHEREUPON,
Ira 0. Wheeler, a witness called on behalf of the plain
tiffs, after first being duly sworn, testified as follows:
DIRECT EXAMINATION
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BY MR. WALKER:
‘ Wheeler, I want to somewhat shorten your testimony
as I have taken your deposition. I would ask you if
your name is Ira Wheeler and you are a farmer who lives
at Wheatley, and you are the board president of the
Wheatley School District?
A. Correct.
Q. You have been a member of the board since 1967, and
before then you were not officially related to the school
board in any way?
A. Correct.
Q. You have never been to college?
A. Correct.
Q. You do have children in school?
A. Correct.
Q. All the members of the Board of Education of the
Wheatley School District are white, and all the adminis
trators of the school district, to your knowledge, are
also white?
A. Correct.
Q. And that a majority of pupils within the school district
are black?
A. Correct.
Now, is it true, Mr. Wheeler - and when I say ’’you” I
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mean the board of education - that you operate one
school for all pupils In grades one through twelve?
Correct.
And that 1968—69 Is the first year that the school
district has operated in such a fashion?
That is right.
And that prior to 1968—69 you operated a school known
as the Wheatley Central School which was attended only
by Negro pupils and staffed by only black or Negro
faculty members?
It is.
I guess I've led you as far as I should. Do you know
the total number of pupils within the school district,
and what the racial breakdown is?
Not exactly.
What is your best estimate, sir?
Approximately 425 students. I believe this would be
60 percent Negro and 40 percent white.
Have you at any time, to your knowledge, employed on the
high school level any Negro teachers to teach pupils of
both races?
No.
Have you ever hired at any time on the high school level
Negro teachers to teach in the high school department?
No.
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Q. Isn't It true that you did hire a Negro man during the
'67-68 school year to teach physical education at the
high school level?
A.
Q.
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Q.
No.
Your answer is no?
That's right.
What is the reason that you do not have any Negro teacher
at the high school level?
To the best of my knowledge we haven't had an application
that we felt was qualified to fill a position.
Have you recruited teachers?
s
A. No.
Q. Do you feel that it is necessary or useful and helpful
to black youngsters to have Negro teachers or black
teachers at the high school level?
A. I wouldn't be in a position to say that it would help.
Q. Do you know whether parents who happen to be black having
students in the system have ever asked that you have
Negro teachers at the high school level?
A. Not to my knowledge.
Q. You have had eight vacancies to be filled since the
end of the 1967—68 school year. Did you recruit any of
those persons?
A. No.
Q. Did you consider any of the applications of any of the
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dismissed Negro teachers for any of those positions?
A. To my knowledge there wasn't no applications from them.
Q. Did you consider them for filling any of these vacancies
did you consider any one of them for the position of
superintendent of schools?
A . Yes .
Q. Isn’t it true, though, that you stated in an earlier
deposition that you did not? (Observing)
A. I don’t remember stating that.
Q. You did consider Mr. Jackson for superintendent of
schools?
A. Yes.
Q. Did you reflect this in the board minutes?
A. I don’t know if the minutes will reflect it or not.
Q. When did you do this?
A. At the time the vacancy was known to us.
Q. Would you tell me in detail how you went about consider
ing Mr. Jackson for the position of superintendent of
schools?
A. Well, to the best of my knowledge it was brought up...
we had told him that he would be considered for it if
a vacancy became available. It was brought up and it
was not the opinion of the school board members that he
would be qualified for the position.
Q. What factors did you take into consideration in determ-
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ining that he was not qualified?
A. The complaints that we had of his actions in the Wheatley
Central School.
Q. Complaints that you had had about him as principal of
the Wheatley Central School?
A. Correct.
Q. What other factors did you take into consideration in
determining that he was not qualified to be the superin
tendent of the school system?
A. None other.
Q. No other factors other than the complaints?
A. Right.
Q. So except for the complaints he would have been qualified
to be superintendent?
A. To my knowledge.
Q. And those are the only factors you took into account.
Did you investigate any of those complaints yourself
personally?
A. No, I did not.
Q. Did you receive any written complaints?
A. Not to my knowledge.
Q. To your knowledge while you were on the board, did you
receive the names of individuals who made complaints
about him?
A. Not directly to me.
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Q. I mean to you or the board directly?
A. I know of some names who complained.
Q. Isn’t it true that you stated earlier when your deposi
tion was taken that you did not have any names?
A. Well, I've learned these names since that time.
Q. I see. But at the time, you decided not to hire him as
superintendent of schools you did not have those names,
did you?
A. No.
Q. And you did not take the step of checking those complaints
out, did you?
A. No.
Q. Isn't it true that really there was no vacancy for the
position of superintendent in March or thereabouts, and
that that position was then filled by a man named Mr.
Richardson?
A. I don't remember the date Mr. Richardson resigned, and
Mr. Kennedy applied for the position.
Q. Pardon?
A. I don't remember the date.
Q. But isn't it true that Mr. Richardson’s resignation and
Mr. Kennedy's hiring were almost simultaneous?
A. Well, they were close.
Q. In fact, the same night?
A. I couldn’t say for sure.
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Q. Did you ever consider Mr. Jackson for a position of
principal?
A. (Pause)
Q. You did have a vacancy for principal, didn't you?
A. Yes.
Q. Did you consider him for the position of principal?
A. Yes.
Q. Principal of which school?
A. Wheatley High School.
Q. What was the reason that you decided not to consider him?
A. Because of his reputation in the teaching profession.
Q. Did you ever go over to the Wheatley Central School in
your official capacity as a board member during his
tenure there?
A. Yes, but not visiting in the class.
Q. Did you go to any classes or did you talk to Mr. Jackson
at the school?
A . No,
Q. Do you know of any board member who did?
A. I'm not positive.
Q. Would you have wanted your child to have attended the
Wheatley Central School?
A . No.
Q. What was the accreditation of that school?
A. X rating.
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Q. Why would you have not wanted your child to attend that
school?
A. Because it was an all-colored school.
Q. Are you aware of the fact that Mr. Jackson was primarily
a teacher rather than a principal at Wheatley Central
School?
A. It was my understanding that he was principal and teacher,
Q. Was it also your understanding that he had a full
teaching load along with it?
A. Well, I wasn't aware that he had a full teaching load.
Q. Do you know what grade he taught?
A. No, I do not.
Q. Did you investigate to determine what grade he taught?
A. No.
Q. Did you compare his teaching credentials with those of
the first grade teacher In the Wheatley Elementary School?
A. I didn't.
Q. Did the board?
A. I'm sure they did.
Q. Were you present when they did?
A. I don't remember.
Q. Would you have been present if they did?
A. Not necessarily, no.
Q. V/as this done in March of 1968?
A. Not to my recollection.
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Q. How can you be sure, then, that they did?
A. I know that he was considered.
Q. My question was, did the board compare his qualifications
with the qualifications of the white teacher teaching in
the Wheatley Elementary School at the first grade level?
A. If you're taking his reputation...
Q. No, no, his qualifications, paper qualifications and
anything else. Did you consider those two persons?
A. No.
Q. Did you consider his qualifications with, say, the second
or third grade teacher at the Wheatley schools?
A. No.
Q. Did you consider his qualifications with, say, the
fourth or fifth grade teacher at the Wheatley school?
A. No.
Q. Isn't it true that you hired several people to fill
vacancies at the white school at the elementary level
of the '68-69 school year?
A. Yes, I don't remember the number.
Q. Did you compare their qualifications with those of Mr.
Jackson?
A. Yes.
Q. First of all, who were they?
A. What were their names?
Q. Yes. Let me ask it in a different way. What criteria
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did the board take into account in deciding to hire
these eight teachers, or seven teachers and Mr. Kennedy?
A. Their qualifications and recommendations.
Q. What were the minimum qualifications that these teachers
were required to have?
A. A bachelor’s degree.
Q. What else?
A. A general reputation and recommendations along with that.
Q. Is it true that the board really did not receive recom
mendations from any source by letter of any one of these
seven people, other than the superintendent?
A. I don't know of any.
Q. You don't know of any you received. So that any recom
mendations that you received were verbal, is that correct
A. Right.
Q. Did you receive those recommendations yourself?
A. Yes.
Q. From whom did you receive the recommendation that
Esteila Chipman be hired? Was she working there this
year for the first time?
A . No.
Q. Lloyd Lackey?
A . No.
Q. John Stroud?
A. This is his first year.
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Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
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A.
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A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Prom whom did you receive the recommendation that he be
hired?
Prom Mr. Kennedy.
Isn't it true, then, that you received the recommendation
that these people be hired from only Mr, Kennedy?
Yes, to the best of my knowledge.
So on the basis of Mr. Kennedy's recommendation, you made
your decision; and this is the only reason or the only
real con-sideration you took into account, isn't that
true?
Yes.
Did you compare the qualifications of the other Negro
teachers with those teachers, that is the other Negro
teachers, who were at the Wheatley Central School, with
the qualifications of the other teachers in the system
at the time that you terminated these four teachers?
You're talking about degree?
Yes.
No.
Did you take into account their teaching experience at
the time you terminated them?
Yes .
Do you know how much teaching experience Mr. Jackson had
within the Wheatley School District?
Not exactly.
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Approximately, to the best of your knowledge?
Approximately eight years.
What about Mrs. Meeks?
Approximately the same.
Did you ever notify them, prior to the day that you told
them that they would be dismissed and not rehired, that
there had been complaints about their work, or about their
credit, and for these reasons they would be terminated?
I did not.
- 3 1 -
Do you know whether anyone in the system did, to your
own knowledge?
The superintendent at that time told me that he had
talked to them.
To whom?
To the teachers.
Now, I am saying of your own knowledge do you know whethe
or not any written notice was given to these teachers
informing them of the deficiencies that you have mentione
To my knowledge it wasn't.
Did the board ever issue any directive to the administrator
or take action itself to notify these teachers of the
complaints about their work, or about their personal credit
or other deficient habits?
I don't remember, I don't believe so.
Did you have any intention to consider Mr. Jackson for
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employment within the Wheatley School District after
he was fired?
Yes.
Why did you intend to consider him for reemployment after
he was terminated?
They met with the school board in a special meeting and
asked that they be considered for any future vacancies,
and we told them that they would.
Do you know whether any of these teachers, therefore,
have been objectively considered in comparison with
John Stroud, and if so, when and how?
I don't understand the question.
Do you know whether any of these teachers have had
their qualifications/ objectively compared with those of
John Stroud, and if they have had such an objective com
parison, would you state when and what factors were taker
into consideration?
I don't recall any.
I hand you a list of teachers for the 1968-69 school
year, all of the names which have been read into the
record, and ask you whether the same answer would
be applicable to the other new teachers who came into the
system for the first time in the 1968-69 school year?
They were all hired after consideration and recommenda
tion from the superintendent.
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Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A .
Q.
A.
Q •
A.
Q.
A.
You're saying that the superintendent is the one who
made whatever objective findings were made, and the
board took their actions solely and completely on the
recommendations of the superintendent?
That's correct.
So that the board itself made no objective determination
of the comparative qualifications of the dismissed
teachers, Negro, with those of the teachers who were
hired for the first time thereafter - I mean after they
were terminated?
No.
Your answer is, "No" the board did not?
Correct.
Did you inquire in detail of the superintendent about
each teacher who was hired, about his qualifications?
Yes .
How long did the meeting take at which time you considered
the new applicants?
To my best memory they were all considered in regular
board meetings which normally last from two to four hours
Do you recall the date that these persons were hired?
No, I do not.
Is it your testimony that Mr. Sidney Kennedy recommended
the employment of all seven of these people?
To the best of my memory.
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Q, You heard, his testimony earlier to the effect that he
recommended only two - that is to say that only two
were employed after he became superintendent on July 1?
Do you recall that?
A. Yes.
Q. Is it your testimony that before he became superintendent
that the board was taking his recommendations and acting
upon them?
A. Well, I don't know if it were prior to... uh, we didn't
take any recommendations from him until after he was
hired.
Q. So that that means as of July 1 when five people had beer
hired, between May and June, that he did not make those
recommendations for those persons, is that true?
A. Not prior to the time he was employed.
Q. What factors were taken into consideration in the employ
ment of those five persons who were hired prior to
July 1, 1968, and subsequent to the close of the 1967-68
school year?
A. Going on the recommendation of the then superintendent.
Q. So it's merely recommendations, is that true?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you know what conversation the former superintendent
may have had with the Negro teachers in the schools, and
were you a party to any of that conversation?
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A. Except this one special school board meeting.
Q. Other than that you don't know what the superintendent
told them, do you?
A. No.
Q. Was it customary to have public board meetings in i960
to your knowledge?
A. Yes, I knew that they were having board meetings.
Q. Was it customary in 1967 when you became president to
have public board meetings?
A. It’s a known fact that anyone...
Q. I know a person can attend a public board meeting, but
was it customary that they would be, in fact, open to
the public in 1967 when you became president?
A. We never had a request that anyone meet with us until
some parents... but no one ever was refused.
Q. Isn't it true that as a matter of routine the Negro
teachers did not come to the board meetings unless they
were invited to come by the board?
A. I don't remember of any ever attending.
Q. Mr. Richardson was the former superintendent, is that rig
A. Correct.
Q. And he is no longer superintendent; do you know where he
is now?
A. No, I don't.
Q. Did you and the board ever discuss with him whose respon-
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sibility it was to run the school system?
A. Yes.
Q, . Whose responsibility did you tell him it was to run the
school system?
A. His responsibility to administer.
Q. So that he had the responsibility for having day-to-day
contact with the teachers in the school, is that true?
A . Yes.
Q. Do you know when the Negro teachers, including the
plaintiffs, were paid the same salaries as white teachers
A. I don't remember.
Q. Do you know whether or not any complaint was ever made
about salary discrimination?
A. No, I do not.
Q. You do know what the salary schedule was in 1967-68,
don't you?
A. I can't remember the exact figure.
Q. I've been provided a statement by Mr. Butler which sets
out that the teacher salary in 1967-68 for persons with
a BS degree was $5,000.00 plus $100.00 per year for
five years experience. Is this your recollection of
what your policy is?
A. To the best of my knowledge that is true.
Q. And a person with a master's degree, the salary would
be $5,300.00, plus $100.00 per year for five years
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experience?
A. That’s right.
Q. And that for 68-69 a person with a BS degree would
receive a salary of $5,500.00, plus $100.00 per year
for five years experience?
A. I believe that is right.
Q. And the master's degree would be the same thing except
that it would be $300.00 more?
A. Correct.
Q. Do you interpret that to mean $100.00 per year for each
of five years up to five years experience?
A. Yes, I believe so.
Q. That means then that a teacher who had been teaching in
the school system up through the 1967-68 school year
for more than five years should have received a salary
of $5,500.00, doesn't it?
A. I believe that's right.
Q. At least $5,500.00, is that right?
A. For the '67-68 year?
Q. Yes.
A. Correct.
Q. Do you know what in fact the Negro teachers were paid?
A. No, I couldn't say positively how much.
Q. The 1967-68 school year, were you aware of the fact that
Mrs. Iola F. Dickson was employed by the school district?
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A. Yes.
Q. Do you know her race?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you know the race of the students she taught during
the 1967-68 school year?
A. Yes.
Q. What was that race?
A. Colored.
Q. She taught only black students?
A. To the best of my knowledge,
Q. How do you explain that for the 1967-68 school year?
A. I don’t know exactly, there was no definite assignment
of students to each class. It was a grouping of the
students according to their ability to learn, and the
class that they wanted to be in.
Q. What grade did she teach, do you know?
A. I don't remember.
Q. Was this the first year that these Negro pupils had been
in a formerly white school?
A. I'm not sure but I think they were there one year prior,
Q. Do you know who their teacher was the year before by race?
A . I'm not sure.
Q. To the best of your knowledge, though, isn't it true
that that person was a Negro teacher the year before?
A. I wouldn't be in a position to say because I'm not on
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the school board, or wasn't.
Q. In preparation of this lawsuit, and in view of the
questions asked at the deposition, did you investigate
this matter?
A. No.
Q. You did not check your records?
A. No.
Q. What standardized tests were given to determine groupings
of first-grade students for the 1967-68 school year?
A. I don't know.
Q. Isn't it true that most of the other first graders
were white for the '67-68 school year?
A. Most of which other?
Q. Isn't it true that you had for the '67-68 school year
two first grade classes?
A. I believe that is right.
Q. And that in one all of the pupils were black, and in the
other almost all of the pupils were white?
A. Approximately, I'm not sure.
Q. Do you know what tests were given by the school district
to produce this result?
A. No, I do not.
Q. Do you know if, in fact, any tests at all were given?
A. I couldn't say.
Q. Do you know whether the parents of the pupils were con-
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suited prior to the pupils assignment?
I don't know.
Did the board issue any directives to the then adminis
trator with regard to pupil assignment in the first
grade, or the third and fourth grade?
Not to my knowledge.
So the superintendent was responsible more or less for
placement of pupils in classes, is that true?
MR. BUTLER: Your Honor, this line of
questioning is not germane to the issues as to whether
these teachers were not rehlred because of their race.
MR. WALKER: Your Honor, it is our posi
tion, which I now reiterate, that for '67-68 a pervasive
pattern of racial discrimination existed within the
school district; and that is the same case, more or
less, that you had in Brown v. Board of Education.
In Brown v. Board of Education,against the Board of
Topeka, you had, in effect, Negro and white pupils
on the same campus, as I recall; but the Negro pupils
were all taught by Negro teachers and the white pupils
were taught by white teachers. They were isolated in
some other way but they were in the same complex.
Now, this pattern has been held to be
violative of the Constitution. We suggest that in a
de jure segregated school system where it is shown that
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integration does not in fact result from the transfer
of Negro pupils from a black school to a white school,
that this is suggestive of a racial determination on
the part of the school administration to maintain segre-
ation.
MR. BUTLER: Your Honor, Mr. Walker is
making a segregation suit out of this particular case.
It has to do with whether or not these teachers were
wrongfully discharged, or because of race they were not
rehired.
THE COURT: I would suggest that you get
along, Mr. Walker. There are issues involved in this
case and we'll get to the other matters in the other
case.
MR. WALKER: Your Honor, I must again re
emphasize that it is our view that this is crucial to
our case. I would like to state another reason so that
the Court would fully understand our position. If we
show that the school district had a design to utilize
Negro teachers in an integrated school only in a segre
gated situation, then I think it is strongly suggestive
that they would not utilize teachers from a former black
school in an integrated school, because it would mean
that those teachers would have to teach integrated classes
Now, it has been shown that not a single
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Negro teacher has really taught an integrated class,
and we will later present proof to show that that one
little white youngster is there because he is the same
kind of outcast as the black youngsters in that school
are.
MR. BUTLER: Your Honor, it seems to me
that what Mr. Walker is pursuing in his questioning of
this witness is whether or not classes within an inte-
i
grated school should be desegregated, and not the issue,
THE COURT: I assume that what Mr. Walker
is trying to get to is that the assignment to the class
is such that they practice the segregation within the
school, and as such they do not employ the Negro teachers.
If that was the purpose and he can show that, of course
that can be permitted.
MR. WALKER: Thank you, Your Honor.
Q. (MR. WALKER, continuing) Now with regard to Mrs. Spears,
isn't it true that Mrs. Spears had taught the year before
that is the '66-67 school year - at the Wheatley Central
School, Negro school, and that she was transferred from
Wheatley Central pursuant to directives from HEW for the
'67-68 school year, and she took with her a class of
Negro pupils from Wheatley Central to Wheatley Elementary
School, and continued to teach only those pupils?
THE COURT: Mr. Walker, I don't know that
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you are on the witness stand to do the testifying. I
think you should ask the questions and not do the testi
fying. In the first place, the Court has been listening
to all this for some time. You are alleging that certair
people were not reemployed because of racial discriminati
The Court would like to suggest that you proceed to de
velop your case, if you can, and then we will get to the
other matter which involves certain violations of
constitutional rights which you have alleged.
I suggested at the outset that we try
both of these cases at one time. You are the one that
suggested that we go into the contractual problem first.
The Court would like to suggest that you move on with
this case, and then we will get to the other one.
MR. WALKER: All right, Your Honor; I
would suggest that the form of my question did cause it
to be a question rather than testimony. I prefaced it
by saying, "Isn't it true-" - and I think I would like
at this time to move to the Court that I be permitted to
examine this witness as a hostile witness under Rule 43.
THE COURT: The Court does not see that
that is necessary as this witness has had no problem
at all in responding to your questions. He has not
shown any hostility whatsoever in replying to your
questions. If it reached that state then the Court would
on
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consider it accordingly. You made the statement at the
outset in the pretrial, and Mr. Butler agreed, that this
school district had operated a dual school system until
the year 1968-69; that prior thereto it was a dual
system operated school with an all colored school and
an all white school; that due to a reconstruction program
and a building program, that one school was used for all
students which was indicated at the outset of this hear
ing from grades 1 through 12.
Gentlemen, if we have been going under a
wrong assumption up to this point, I think it should be
made clear for the record.
MR. BUTLER: Your Honor, I believe it is
correct that prior to '68-69, the current school year,
that they did have desegregation in the junior high and
high school, the Wheatley, and they completed it in '68-
69 when they closed the Wheatley Central School and
moved all of the elementary over to the one school.
THE COURT: The Court further understood
that the issue was that in the transfer or the transition
from the dual system to a unitary so-called system of
one school, that there were certain teachers who were
not retained; and that your lawsuit was against the
school requiring them to employ those teachers, of course
you said for the 1968-69 school term. More than half
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are gone by now.
You do have an alternate request for
certain damages that you propose to show. That being
true, I do not understand what you attempt to do, Mr.
Walker, by showing a teacher presently employed and
formerly teaching in the elementary grade in an all
black class; it was an all-colored school at that time.
MR, WALKER: Your Honor, really I don't
think I've made my point to you, and I must apologize
for that. I want to state to you for the record that
at that school right now is the same situation that
prevailed two years ago when the all-Negro school existed.
That is to say, that at the white school, you have three
classes taught by three Negro teachers, and the pupils
in those three classes, all of them are Negro, except one,
THE COURT: But there is the matter which
you alleged in your other lawsuit about operating the
school system.
MR. WALKER: But Your Honor, I am saying
for '67-68, the year that these teachers taught in that
school system, that same situation prevailed.
THE COURT: But it was an all-Negro school
MR. WALKER: No, Your Honor, It was for
'67-68 that these teachers taught at the Wheatley Elemen
tary School, which is predominantly white, but the Negro
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-46-
pupils attended classes with all—Negro teachers In these
particular grades.
THE COURT: Move on with this, we're takin:
so much time.
MR. WALKER: Let me get this straight
for the record, Your Honor.
Q. (MR. WALKER, continuing) For 1967-68, the year these
teachers taught at the all-Negro school, is it true that
the Negro teachers who were employed to work at the
white school taught only Negro pupils in the white school?
A. I don't know if it was "only" but it was the majority.
Q. But to the best of your knowledge, isn't it true that
there were only black students being taught by the black
teachers - to the best of your knowledge, now?
A. As I say, I couldn't say for sure that there was no
whites in there. I'm sure it was mostly Negro students.
THE COURT: Those teachers are still
teaching in the schools, are they not?
MR. WALKER: Two of them are not, Your
Honor; I think it's two.
THE COURT: It was shown earlier in your
list that they were.
MR. WALKER: No, Your Honor. I want to
clear up any misconception about that. Under the column
of names are three teachers who happen to be Negro who
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-47-
are teaching for the 1968-69 school year. These teachers
also taught during the '67-68 school year, but there was
at least one other Negro teacher who was teaching in the
Wheatley white school who was not rehired for some reason,
according to my information.
Q. (MR. WALKER, continuing) Now, is it true, sir, that the
Board of Directors of the school district when they met
with these Negro teachers, made the view known to those
J;jf
Negro teachers that apparently the community, the black
1
community, must have been dissatisfied with their teaching t
because they all exercised freedom of choice; they had
their pupils transferred to the Wheatley School?
A. No, I don't remember exactly, but I don't think the
freedom-of-choice plan had ever been turned back in at
that time.
|
Q. Would you mind relating to the Court what took place at
that meeting when you met with the Negro teachers who
were seeking redress at that time?
*
A. To the best of my memory, it was a general discussion
as to the complaints that had been made over a period of
years, and that that was the reason they were not being
reemployed.
Q. Is that true for all of those teachers?
A. I don't remember if that was the case with Coleman at
that time. The recommendation to us from the superintend-
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-48-
ent was that he doubted that he could be recertified to
teach.
Q. The recommendation was that he doubted that he could be
recertified?
A . Correct.
Q . Did you ask Mr. Coleman whether or not he could be re
certified?
A. I believe he was asked that night at the meeting.
Q. Do you know what his answer was?
A. I don't remember.
Q. So you're saying that if it had not been for the superin
tendent's apprehension, that Mr. Coleman could not be
recertified, that Mr. Coleman could have been retained?
A. As far as I know.
Q. I hand you a copy of a letter and ask if this is a letter
sent out to you to Mr. Coleman? Do you recognize this
letter?
A. Yes.
Q. And is this a letter dated May 28, 1968?
A. Correct.
Q. Would you read paragraph one, please?
A. "It is our duty, pursuant of the lav/, to inform you that
you will not be reemployed by the Wheatley School. This
action is necessary since you are not now qualified, and
there seems to be some doubt that you could be certified
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by September."
MR, WALKER: I'd like to have this introduced
as Plaintiffs' Exhibit 1.
THE COURT: Any objection?
MR. BUTLER: No objection.
THE COURT: Let it be received for the record.
(WHEREUPON, Plaintiffs'
Exhibit 1 was marked for identi
fication and received into the
record.)
Q. (MR. WALKER, continuing) Did you consider giving him
an opportunity to explain this superintendent's response
prior to writing him that letter?
A. I think he explained it the night he met with us.
Q. Was this before you wrote him the letter?
A. I'm not for sure.
Q. Do you think it would be a fair procedure for a man to
be given an opportunity to hear the complaints against
him before the school board takes any action on whether
or not to reinstate him, whether or not to continue his
employment?
A . Yes .
Q. Is it possible that this statement by the superintendent
could have been not completely true?
A. We asked him to check it out.
Q. Did Mr. Coleman ever advise you that he could be certi-
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fied, and that he was in fact certified?
A. I don't remember exactly what...
Q. What was the reason that you terminated Mrs. Meeks?
A. Her reputation in the teaching field, and the complaints
about how she handled her indebtedness.
Q. What was her reputation in the teaching field, and from
whom was this reputation obtained - where was your
knowledge of this reputation obtained?
A. I cannot name any specific person complaining.
Q. What about her indebtedness?
A. There have been letters at different times come through
the school asking the school's help in collecting debts
from her.
Q. I have asked that copies of those letters to the school
district be brought to the court for use here today.
MR. WALKER: Do you have those letters,
Mr. Butler?
MR. BUTLER: Most of them were not kept
but were destroyed.
MR. WALKER: Do you have any of them?
MR. BUTLER: I have one letter t ll 3. t W8.S
'written about Mrs. Meeks after she was not rehired. It
was regarding a debt prior to the time we had letters
about her.
Q. (MR. WALKER, continuing) (Observing letter) This
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was a letter to the superintendent of schools about a
bill in the amount of $27.00 to the Forrest View Clinic,
is that right to the best of your knowledge?
A . Yes.
Q. You have not seen this before, have you?
A. Yes.
Q. Did you check this bill out with Mrs. Meeks at any time?
A. No, I did not.
Q. And this is the only matter attesting to your testimony
that you received letters about her bad credit?
A. I have seen other letters.
Q. You have seen them but you do not have them in your
custody?
A. No, I don't.
Q. Did you tell Mrs. Meeks before you terminated her that
her credit was a serious problem interfering with her
capacity to function as a teacher?
A . I did not.
Q. Do you know of your own knowledge whether the superintend
ent actually told her?
A. He was instructed to.
Q. Do you know whether he actually told her?
A. No, I don't.
MR. WALKER: I would like to have this
introduced as Plaintiffs' Exhibit 2.
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-51-
MR. BUTLER: No objection,
THE COURT: Let it be received.
(WHEREUPON, Plaintiffs'
Exhibit 2 was marked for identi
fication and received into the
record.)
Q. (MR. WALKER, continuing) Did you, before you fired Mrs.
Meeks, give her an opportunity to explain this?
A. Not directly to me.
Q. Did you know that she had had a fire shortly before the
beginning of the '67-68 school year, and that she lost
all of her possessions in that fire?
A. I did not.
Q. Would that have been a factor in the decision of whether
to hire her or continue her employment, or fire her?
A. Possibly so.
Q. But you did not investigate to determine whether this
was a possibility, did you?
A. I didn’t know that there had been a fire.
Q. Now, are you saying then, that if she had not had the
cross up with her credit card that she would have been
retained?
A. I couldn't say definitely that she would have.
Q. But according to your best knowledge?
A. She would have been considered for it.
Q. For retention?
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A. That’s right.
Q. What about Mrs. Jackson. What was the reason...
Let me get back to Mrs. Meeks. I show you this letter
and ask you if this is a copy of the letter that you
wrote to Mrs. Meeks on or about May 28?
A. To the best of my knowledge it is.
Q. And in that letter you stated, "We are releasing you
because we are generally dissatisfied with your work,
and especially because we are greatly concerned about
the manner in which you handled your indebtedness"?
A. Right.
Q. Did you ever attend any of her classes one time?
A. No, I didn’t.
Q. Do you know whether or not the superintendent went to
her classes one time?
A. I couldn't say positively.
MR. WALKER: I would like to have this
Introduced as Plaintiffs’ Exhibit No. 3.
MR. BUTLER: No objection.
THE COURT: Let it be received.
(WHEREUPON, Plaintiffs’
Exhibit No. 3 was marked for
identification and received
into the record.)
Q. (MR. WALKER, continuing) Now, with regard to Mrs.
Jackson. What was the reason that you decided not to
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rehire her?
A. Complaints of how she handled her indebtedness, and the
type of education she was teaching.
Q . Did you ever advise her of this?
A. I didn't.
Q. Did the superintendent ever advise her of this?
A. He was instructed to.
Q. Do you have any copies of any letters of complaints about
her indebtedness being poorly handled?
A. Not to my knowledge.
Q. Did you ever give her an opportunity to explain any
problems she had with creditors?
A. To the superintendent.
Q. But you don't know what the superintendent said to her,
do you?
A. No, I do not.
Q. Or if he, in fact, said anything?
A. I don't.
Q. What are the other reasons that you decided not to rehire
her, if any?
A. Reports of Absenteeism.
Q. From whom did you receive these reports?
A. From the superintendent.
Q. Did you check them out?
A. I didn't.
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Q. Did you ever find out why she was absent?
A. No.
Q. Is it a normal expectation that in the course of one's
life he or a relative would get sick for a long period
of time?
A. It happens.
Q. You think this is a sufficient reason to discharge a
teacher from a job?
A. Not if this is the only reason, due to sickness.
Q. Did you find out, or did you inquire, whether or not -
before you fired her - she had any justification for any
actions that she may have had?
A. I didn't.
Q. Do you know whether the students suffered as a result of
her absences?
A. There were verbal reports that the children were not
getting...
Q . From whom did you receive these verbal reports?
A. I didn't receive them except through other school board
members.
Q . What other school board members did you receive these
reports through?
A. Mr. MIchaelis said he received complaints.
Q. Did he tell you from whom he received these complaints?
A. I don't remember.
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Q. I show you, then, this letter which is Plaintiffs*
Exhibit No. 4, and ask you if this is the letter that
you sent to Mrs. Jackson or or about May 28, 1968?
A. Yes, to the best of my knowledge.
Q. Did you ever go to her classroom or attend it?
A. I did not.
Q. Do you know whether the superintendent did?
A. No, sir, I ’m not positive.
MR. WALKER: I would like to introduce
Plaintiffs' Exhibit No. 4 into the record.
MR. BUTLER: No objection.
THE COURT: Let it be received.
(WHEREUPON, Plaintiffs’
Exhibit No. 4 was marked for
identification and received into
the record.)
Q. (MR. WALKER, continuing) Nov;, do you recall what the
reason for the termination of Mr. Jackson was?
A. Dissatisfaction with his teaching and principalship.
Q. Did you state that to him at any time?
A. The superintendent was instructed to.
Q. Do you know whether the superintendent, in fact, stated
that to him?
A. It is reflected in the minutes that he met with the
school board.
Q. Would you mind telling me the date that he met with you
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when you were on the board?
A. I don't remember the exact date.
Q. Do you recall him ever meeting with you and the other
board members subsequent to the time that you became
president of the board before he received notice that
he would not be rehired?
A. I don't remember exactly.
q . So isn't it true that really he never did appear before
the board while you were president until he had been
fired?
A . That's true.
Q. When you released him, according to a letter written
May 28, 1968, which I ask you to Identify, isn’t it
true that you said to him, "We are releasing you because
we do not have a position such as you have held in our
reorganized school that your qualifications would fill"?
A. That's true.
Q . What do you mean, "a position such as you have held"?
A. Principalship in an elementary school.
Q. Do you, have a principal at the elementary school?
A. No, we don't.
Q . Are you aware of the fact that he was also a teacher?
A. Correct.
q . You did have some teaching vacancies available, didn't
you?
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To my memory there had been two teachers hired in the
elementary department at that time.
And a total of seven teachers hired In the whole school
system?
Yes.
But you did not have a position for him to fill. What
were his qualifications that you referred to in your
letter?
His reputation as teaching.
Other than reputation do you know of anything else?
I don't recall.
Doesn't it strike you as strange, Mr. Wheeler, that
here is a man who had been retained by the school dist
rict for at least eight years, the proof will show,
who had been kept by this system all these years; then
when this school is closed he is closed out too?
The school wasn't closed.
The Wheatley Central School wasn't closed?
No.
What happened to it?
It was closed after he was notified that he would not
be retained.
It was near the end of the year that he was told that he
would not be rehired, but he continued until the end of
the year; and when the school was closed he was closed
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out , Isn't that true?
A. He was notified after the last day of school by letter.
Q. My question, doesn't it strike you as strange that he
was satisfactory apparently through all these years,
and then suddenly with the closing of the school you
decide that he is dispensable?
A. Not necessarily.
Q. Isn't it true that you made the decision to close the
Wheatley Central School prior to the time that you
actually gave him notice of termination?
A. By letter, yes.
Q . I would like...
A. To the best of my memory; I can't remember all those
dates exactly.
MR. WALKER: - I would like to introduce in
evidence Plaintiffs' Exhibit No. 5, the letter to Mr.
Jackson.
MR. BUTLER: No objection.
THE COURT: Let it be received.
(WHEREUPON, Plaintiffs'
Exhibit No. 5 was marked for
identification and received
into evidence.)
Q. (MR. WALKER, continuing) Now, you stated that there
were complaints about the work of Mr. Jackson, and
those complaints were reflected in the minutes. You are
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official custodian of the records I take it, as presi
dent of the board?
A. They are kept within the school safe.
Q. But you had access to those records?
A. Yes.
Q. I show you what has been supplied to me by Mr. Butler,
and which purport to be minutes of the Board of Edu
cation, 3/25/64, and ask you whether or not this appears
to be taken from the Wheatley board meetings?
A. Yes.
WALKER: I would like to have this
marked as Plaintiffs' Exhibit 6.
MR. BUTLER: No objection.
THE COURT: Let it be received.
(WHEREUPON, Plaintiffs'
Exhibit No. 6 was marked for
identification and received
into the record.)
Q. (MR. WALKER, continuing) I will read to you and ask
whether or not this is contained. "The board met on
March 25, 1964, in a call meeting by Mr. Monroe. The
problem on hand was complaints against L. R. Jackson.
After much discussion the board decided to give Mr.
Jackson a chance to present his side of the problem.
A motion was made and seconded, and voted on by all
members to this effect. Mr. Jackson cleared this
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matter to the satisfaction of the board and the matter
was dropped." Is that true?
A. Yes.
Q. All right. I hand you a copy of the minutes of a board
meeting of April 11, I960 , and call to your attention undj<
Item 4,- a call meeting at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. "The
Wheatley school board met in the high school building
and discussed the colored situation. Several colored
citizens met with the board and voiced their complaint,
L. R. Jackson, as principal of the colored school. Due
consideration was given to their complaints but no action
was taken. It was suggested that Mr. Steel study the
situation and do what he thought best for the school."
Is that, to your knowledge, official minutes of
the board?
A. Yes.
MR. WALKER: I would like to have that
marked for identification as Plaintiffs' Exhibit No. 7.
MR. BUTLER: No objection.
THE COURT: Let it be received.
(WHEREUPON, Plaintiffs'
Exhibit No. 7 was marked for
identification and received into
evidence.)
MR. WALKER: I have asked that all minutes
reflecting dissatisfaction with the work of any of these
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teachers be brought. I have not been provided with any
other copies of any minutes which set forth any complaint
about any of the teachers.
Q. (MR. WALKER, continuing) Do you know of any other
minutes that reflect the fact that complaints were taken
up by the board of education of the school district?
A. I don't know that there's any more in the record book.
Q. With regard to the date that you decided to close the
Wheatley Central School, I would like to refresh your
memory by calling your attention to a special board
meeting in the superintendent's office at 7:30 p.m.
on April 2nd. Do you see that?
A. Yes.
MR. WALKER: I would like to have this
marked for identification as Plaintiffs' Exhibit No. 8.
MR. BUTLER: No objection.
THE COURT: Let it be received.
(WHEREUPON, Plaintiffs'
Exhibit No. 8 was marked for
identification and received
into the record.)
Q. (MR. WALKER, continuing) I will ask you to identify this
and your signature?
A. Correct.
Q. Isn't it true that only five people were present?
A. Correct.
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Q. And those were board members?
A. Correct.
Q. And no members of the public were noted as being present?
A. To the best of my knowledge.
Q. And in fact it was held in the superintendent’s rather
small office?
A . Yes.
Q. I ask you whether or not this Plaintiffs' Exhibit No. 8
carries a statement, "Motion made and seconded to remove
all the children from the Wheatley Central School to
the Wheatley Elementary School for next year. It was
carried unanimously"?
A. Correct.
Q. Isn't it correct that at that time you made no mention
of what you would do with the teachers in that school?
A. It had already been decided these four teachers would
be released.
Q. I see. All right. Now, the decision to terminate
the teachers was made approximately March 11, 1968, is
that true?
A . Yes.
Q. By the board?
A. Correct.
Q. In a special meeting in the superintendent’s office on
March 11, 1968, Is that true?
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A. Correct.
Q. And there were no members of the public present?
A. No one other than the superintendent.
Q. And isn't it true that at this time you decided to rehire
a number of teachers who were teaching in the, what we
call, white school?
A. Correct.
Q. And that a motion was made and seconded to release the
following teachers at the end of this year - James
Cooper, L. R. Jackson, Melissa Meeks and Mrs. L. R.
Jackson?
A. Correct.
Q. James Cooper is white, is that correct?
A. Correct.
Q. And he had not been teaching at the black school?
A. No.
Q. I notice here that you did not state the reasons why
. you were releasing those teachers, is that true?
A. Correct.
Q. I also notice that yoy did not place Mr. Coleman's name
in these minutes, is that true?
A. Right.
MR. WALKER: I would like to have this
introduced as Plaintiffs' Exhibit No. 9.
MR, BUTLER: No objection.
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THE COURT: Let it be received.
-64-
(WHEREUPON, Plaintiffs’
Exhibit No. 9 was marked for
identification and received
into evidence.)
Q. (MR. WALKER, continuing) Now, was it merely a mistake
that you omitted Mr, Coleman's name?
A. As I recall, this is the time that Mr. Richardson was
checking to come back to us with the recommendation
as to his possibility of being certified.
Q. Do you have minutes which reflect the decision that was
made to terminate Mr. Coleman?
A. I believe we do have.
Q. I do not have copies of any minutes stating that the
board made the decision to terminate Mr, Coleman.
Now, you don’t know whether such minutes actually exist
or not, do you?
A. I could...
MR. WALKER: Do you have them, Mr. Butler?
MR. BUTLER: I don’t have any. It is my
understanding that they later were advised that he was
not qualified, or it was doubtful, by Mr. Richardson,
and they sent him a letter May 28 that he could not be
reemployed. If there are any minutes I don’t know about
them.
Q. (MR. WALKER, continuing) So that the board, to your
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knowledge never actually passed in terras of knowledge
as represented by writing, on a decision to terminate
Mr. Coleman?
A. (Pause)
Q. The board as a board at a special or regular meeting of
the board?
A. It was decided but evidently it was not reflected in the
minutes.
Q. Did you ever receive a complaint from the Arkansas
Teachers Association about the dismissal of these teachers
A. Yes.
Q. Did you attempt to meet with the Arkansas Teachers
Association about this matter?
A. No. .
Q. Did you ever respond to their letter of inquiry?
A. I didn't.
MR. WALKER: One moment, Your Honor.
THE COURT: We will be in recess for a
few minutes.
1 (WHEREUPON, at 11:10 a.m.
Court called a recess, and at
11:30 Court resumed and the
following proceedings occurred:)
THE COURT: You may proceed, Mr. Butler.
CROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR. BUTLER:
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Q. Mr. Wheeler, you are the present president of the
Wheatley School District involved in this lawsuit?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. When were you elected to the Wheatley School District
board?
A. September of 1967.
Q. Have you served continuously since that time?
A . Yes, sir.
Q. A little more about your background, Mr. Wheeler. Where
were you born and reared?
A. I was born and reared in Lee County midway between
Wheatley and Moro.
Q . Where did you go to school?
A . Moro.
Q. What grade did you complete in the Moro High School?
A. Completed the 11th grade, came out of the service after
approximately two years stating with enough certificates
from school that I attended in service to go with my
high school record to acquire a high school diploma.
Q. Did you get a high school diploma from the Moro High
School when you came out of the service?
A . Yes, sir.
Q. What year was that?
A. 19^7.
Q. Where have you been residing since that time.
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A. I have resided in and around Wheatley since that time.
Q. After you came out of the service, what was your pro
fession or avocation?
A. I followed construction work for approximately four or
five years, and then started farming.
Q. How long have you been a farmer?
A. Fifteen years.
Q. In what area have you farmed during this period of time?
A. As a tenant, and as a landowner for the past four years.
Q. You are a landowner?
A . Yes.
Q. How much land do you own and farm?
A. I own 700 acres and farm approximately 800.
Q. Do you have a family?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. How many children.
A. Two.
Q. What are the ages of your children?
A. Ten and fifteen years of age.
Q. Mr. Wheeler, when was the Wheatley High School and Junior
High integrated, completely?
A. It was completely Integrated in '68-69.
Q. I say the junior high and high school, when were they
completely integrated?
A. I believe there was partial integration in '66-67. I
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-68-
mean there wasn’t a great number of colored students in
the department, but in '67-68 it was completely inte
grated .
Q. When you say completely in '67-68, you have reference
to the high school and junior high?
A . Yes.
Q. When v,fas the full integration of the school system,
eliminating the dual system, completed?
A. At the beginning of '68-69.
Q. And this was during your tenure as president and member
of the school board?
A. Correct.
Q. In '67-68, how many teachers did the Wheatley School
District have employed in all schools, junior high,
senior high, and Wheatley Elementary and Wheatley
Central - Wheatley Central being the all-Negro school?
A. Twenty-’three.
Q. I believe you've already testified that on March 11, 1968,
the school board in a meeting took action in which they
determined to rehire some teachers, and to terminate the
contract of other teachers, is that right?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. When this hiring of school teachers for the 1968-69 school
year was completed, how many teachers did you have in the
integrated system?
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-69-
Nineteen.
Did you need any more teachers at that time?
No, sir, not to my knowledge.
Why was it necessary, or why did you hire the principal
for the high school and junior high?
The superintendent told us that it had become a state
law.
That was done after the integration of the schools had be
completed, is that right?
Correct.
In 1967-68 I believe you testified on direct examination
that you did not recall any black teachers being hired
or working in the junior high and high school and the
Wheatley Elementary?
That was an error on my part. I apologize; but we did
have two colored teachers in junior high and high school.
Who were they?
Mr. and Mrs. Haley.
Did you have any in the Wheatley Elementary for '67-68?
Any colored teachers?
Yes, in the Wheatley Elementary?
Yes, sir.
Who were they?
Mrs. Dickson and Mrs. Cannon, I believe.
Now, you were asked on direct examination by Mr. Walker
en
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if there were any minutes of a meeting of the Board of
Education of the Wheatley School District in which the
four teachers whose contracts were terminated were
allowed to appear and state their case.
MR. WALKER: That's a good deal stronger
than it was. My question was, whether or not there were
board minutes wherein the decision was made by the
board to terminate Mr. Coleman. There had been a de
cision to terminate three of the teachers, Mr. and Mrs.
Jackson and Mrs. Meeks, but Mr. Coleman's name was not
included in that group.
Q. (MR. BUTLER, continuing) Mr. Wheeler, were you incorrect
in stating that you did not have a record of minutes of
a meeting at which all four of the plaintiffs were pre
sent and their situation acted upon?
A. I believe it was my testimony that I thought we had
minutes where Mr. Coleman was notified, but evidently
since they couldn't be found that there was no minutes
stating directly that he was notified; but that he did
meet at a special school board meeting with the other
three teachers.
Q. Mr. Wheeler, I hand you a paper which purports to be a
copy of the minutes of the meeting of the school board
on April 29, 1968, and ask you if that is a true copy
of the minutes of that meeting?
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A. Yes, sir.
Q. In that meeting what action was taken?
A. "The meeting was called to order by the president. The
minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
The board met with four teachers who had been released
from Wheatley Central School. The board discussed
county clerk's commission. Motion made and seconded
to accept Mr. Kennedy’s recommendation on the remaining
teachers that were to be hired. Motion carried unani
mously ."
MR. BUTLER: I would like to introduce
these minutes of the board, 4/29/68, as Defendants’
Exhibit No. 1.
MR. WALKER: No objection.
THE COURT: Let it be received.
(WHEREUPON, Defendants'
Exhibit No. 1 was marked for
identification and received
into evidence.)
Q. (MR. BUTLER, continuing) Mr. Wheeler, was Mrs. Haley
rehired in 1967-68 for the school year '68-69?
A. Yes, sir, she was.
Q. And where was she to teach?
A. In the high school.
Q. Mrs. Haley is black, is that right?
A. Right.
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Q. Was her husband rehlred, Mr. Haley?
A. No, sir, he wasn't.
Q. Why wasn't he rehired?
A. To the best of my memory he was asked to leave so that
he might go back to school and further his education.
Q. Did he ask you all to release him?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. About Mrs. Haley. Is she teaching in the 1968-69 school
year, the present term?
A. Not in the Wheatley schools.
Q. What happened in regard to her?
A. She asked for leave of absence for the first semester.
Q. When did she ask for this leave - was it after she had
been rehired?
A. Yes, sir, sometime prior to the beginning of '68-69.
Q. Did this vacancy which resulted... what was the reason
for this vacancy?
A. Pregnancy.
Q. Did this vacancy which resulted because of pregnancy
necessitate the selection of another teacher to take her
place?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Is this one of the teachers who has been hired by Mr.
Kennedy since the beginning of the new school year?
A. That is correct.
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Q. Did this situation, then, arise suddenly and it became
necessary to find someone qualified to take her place?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Since you've been on the school board, Mr. Wheeler,
have you had a number of complaints which have been
brought before the board about the handling of indebted
ness of the business affairs of the plaintiffs in this
case?
A . Yes.
Q. Has that been in the form of oral statements or in the
form of letters or memorandums?
A. Form of both.
Q. Who received that in the form of written communication?
A. The superintendent of the schools at that time.
Q. At that time who was the superintendent of schools?
A . Mr. Richardson.
Q. Did Mr. Richardson have charge of those letters and those
communications?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Do you know what became of them?
A. No, sir, I do not.
Q. Were there just one or two, or were there a number of
them?
A. There was more than two, several I would say.
Q. In regard to Mrs. Mittie Jackson, one of the plaintiffs
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ln this case, did you have any complaints or any diffi
culty with her in regard to charging items which she
would purchase, to the school district?
MR. WALKER: The question is too leading,
Your Honor.
MR. BUTLER: I'm cross examining, Your
Honor.
THE COURT: You may proceed. It's a
proper question.
A. Yes, sir, we did receive complaints.
Q. (MR. BUTLER, continuing) Did she actually charge those
items to the Wheatley School District for her own use?
A. According to the letters and the papers that the super
intendent presented to us she did.
Q. Mr. Wheeler, in the school board making its decision to
terminate the contract of L. R. Jackson, Mrs. Mittie
Jackson, Mrs. Melissa Meeks and Marvin Coleman, were
any of those terminations based on race or color?
A. No, sir.
Q. I would like for you to state again what was the basis
for letting them go and not renewing their contract.
A. The reason for letting them go was due to the quality
of education that they were producing in that particular
school, the numerous complaints that we had had against
them, and we were intending to replace them with more
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qualified and better quality teachers.
Did you also have the situation that you were not going
to need as many teachers in the integrated system?
Yes, we did have.
MR. BUTLER: That’s all, Your Honor.
REDIRECT EXAMINATION
MR. WALKER:
You didn't need as many teachers in the integrated
system as you needed in the segregated system, you say?
That’s correct.
. - 75-
How do you explain this, that you fired five and hired
eight?
We had some that resigned.
But you could have absorbed these five into the integrate
system, could you not have?
Not without having more teachers than we needed.
But you hired eight additional persons. You did not need
to hire all eight in order to absorb these five, did you
you could have absorbed these five and still hired three
more to meet your needs, isn't that correct?
Which five are you talking about?
The five teachers who were dismissed.
There were more than five dismissed.
Let's say the four Negro teachers who were dismissed?
Yes, that's possible.
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Q. Mr. Wheeler, how do you determine the quality of edu
cation that an institution provides to Its students?
A. It can.be done with tests, or reports that you would
receive from teachers the following year...
Q. Reports you received from teachers the following year.
What else?
A. The reports from parents themselves of those children.
Q. What else?
A. I can't think of anything else.
Q. Do you have any reason to support your position that
these pupils at the black school tested lower, or at
least scored lower, on standarized achievement tests
than the youngsters in the white schools?
A. I don't have.
Q. Do you know what tests were used to make a determination
of this disparity?
A. I have seen the tests.
Q. Do you know what those tests purport to measure?
A . Yes.
Q. What?
A. The children in that particular school are below...
Q. I'm not asking about results, I am asking about what do
they purport to measure?
A. What a child knows.
Q. Do you know what grades those tests were administered to?
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A. Different grades.
Q. Were they administered to first graders?
A . I'm not sure.
Q. Do you know by whom the tests were administered?
A. I assume they...
Q. No, do you know by whom they were administered?
A. They were administered by...
Q. Do you know by whom they were administered?
A. By the guidance counsel.
Q. Do you know?
A. I didn't see them taken.
Q. Do you know the conditions and circumstances under which
those tests were done?
A . No, I don’t .
Q. Do you know whether they were actually given?
A. No, but I've seen the completed tests.
Q. Do you know that they were actually given?
A. I did not see them given.
Q* All right. Now, what was the disparity between youngsters
at the Central School at the end of the first grade year
and the youngsters at the Wheatley School in terms of
grades in achievement tests?
A. I don't understand the question.
Q. You are saying that these teachers were dismissed, that
they were providing a lower quality education than the
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teachers In the white schools. Now, I ask you, how much
lower?
A. Prom one to two grades.
Q. One to two grades at what point?
A. At the fourth and fifth grade level.
Q. What about at the first grade level?
A. I'm not sure about that.
Q. Do you know whether the pupils made the same basic test
scores at the first grade level?
A. No, I do not.
Q. Do you know whether they made the same basic scores at
the second grade level?
A . I'm not sure.
Q. Did the board go Into this with the guidance counselor?
A. No.
Q. So how was the comparison determined between the quality
of education being offered in the Central School and
the Wheatley School?
A. The superintendent Jiad access to those tests.
Q . At what board meeting did he make a statement saying
what those comparative results were?
A. At different meetings.
Q. Did he state, and please answer yes or no, that the
Negro students at the Negro school just were not measur
ing up to the tests in the same way that the youngsters
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In the white school were?
A. That is the general information.
Q. But the board did not ask him for details, did they?
A. No, not specifically.
Q. You didn’t go into an explanation with the administrator
over there about these tests and the results as a board?
A. No.
Q. Isn’t it true that historically that school has been
deprived, of the two schools in the system, in terms of
the amount of money spent on it?
A. Not to my knowledge.
Q. Isn’t it true, as you stated earlier in a deposition,
that you wouldn't want your child to go to that school?
A. That is true.
Q. A comparison between the two buildings has been made by
you, am I correct?
A. Yes.
Q. Now, which of the two buildings, the Wheatley Central or
the Wheatley Elementary, is superior?
A. At the present the Wheatley High School, and Elementary.
Q. But what about two years ago?
A. Two years ago they still were.
Q. What about four years ago?
A. Four years ago, I believe at that time that the Central
School was a better building than Wheatley School.
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Q. What was the accreditation of the school four years ago?
A. I don't know.
Q. What was the accreditation of the Wheatley School?
A. I don't know.
Q. What is the present accreditation of the Wheatley School?
A. At present unofficially it is a "B" school.
Q. The Central School has never been "B", has it?
A. Not to my knowledge.
Q. Now, this "B" rating denotes, does it not, that this
school itself is still providing inferior education?
A. I don't know if it means that or not.
Q. Now, with regard to the reports from the teachers, which
teachers have you discussed this matter with?
A. Two or three different ones.
Q. Did you ever think it was your responsibility as the
Board of Education once you received these statements
from the superintendent about the disparity in education
between the two institutions, to call the Wheatley
Central staff in and explain to them some of the
problems and offer your cooperation to help resolve those
problems?
A. We put that duty on the superintendent.
Q. And you don't know whether he met it or not, do you?
A. We explained to him what he should do, and we'd help him.
Q. Did you participate in school functions at the Wheatley
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School as a parent?
A. When?
Q . Now.
A. Yes.
Q. Have you been doing so frequently during the last three
or four years?
A. Not prior to the time I was elected to the school board.
Q. But you do go to the Wheatley School frequently and have
been going frequently since you have been on the board,
is that right?
A. Right.
Q. How many times have you gone into that former Negro
school in your official responsibility as the board
president while Mr. Jackson was there?
A . None.
Q. Do you know the names of any parents who have been com
plaining about the quality of education offered at the
Wheatley Central School?
A. I couldn't recall the names of any.
Q. But those are the reasons, though, that you gave for
deciding to terminate these teachers. You did give one
other reason, and that was complaints about the way they
handled their indebtedness. That was a generalization.
Did you have that complaint about Mr. Coleman?
A. I don't remember any specific complaints.
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Q. All right, so you have to remove that one then. Did you
have those complaints about Mr. Jackson prior to the
time he was terminated?
A. I can't give you any specific complaints.
Q. Did you have that complaint about Mrs. Jackson prior to
the time she was terminated?
A, Yes.
Q. Prom whom and when?
A. Through the superintendent's office.
Q. But from what source?
A. Letters.
Q. What letters?
A. Letters that were received in the superintendent's office,
Q. Letters that were allegedly received but which have been
destroyed, is that correct?
A. Yes.
Q. And you said you had that information about Mrs. Meeks
but you didn't investigate. What about this allegation
against Mrs. Jackson which you raised for the first time --
that is to say that she charged things to the school
which she converted to her own use, do you know that for
a fact?
A. Only that the superintendent told us that.
Q. What superintendent told you that?
A. Mr. Richardson.
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Q. What did he tell you?
A. He told us that she had charged an item to the school,
a personal item.
Q. What was the item?
A. I don't recall.
Q. Did he think it serious enough to bring it to the
attention of the whole board and have her appear before
the board to explain it?
A. She did not appear before the board.
Q. That's not my question. Did he think it serious enough
to have it brought to the attention of the board, and to
have her appear before the board to explain it?
A. Not at that time.
Q. Do you know whether or not teachers at the Wheatley
Central School as a matter of course ordered things
and purchased things in their own names for .use at that
school?
A. Not to my knowledge.
Q. So they may have or they may not have?
A. That is possible.
Q. Now, I notice in Defendants' Exhibit No. 1 that with
reference to Mr. Coleman you stated that he had been
fired previous to the time he met with the board on
April 29, 1968; but you have no board minutes to reflect
that, do you, that he had been fired at a specific meetinp?
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A. I thought there was but evidently there wasn't. I can't
find them.
Q. So that these minutes merely read that the board met
with four teachers - this is blurred - who had been
relieved from the Wheatley Central School. But now,
you will concede then that there are no minutes to sup
port the fact or notion that four teachers had been in
fact fired or dismissed from the Wheatley School?
A. We haven't been able to find those minutes.
Q. But you treated them all together, is that true?
A. Yes.
Q. Did you give them notice to all come there together?
A. I don't recall if they were given notice. I think that
they requested that all four of them meet with us.
Q. So at some point in time, somebody had given Mr. Coleman
notice that he was being fired - some person responsible
to the administration?
A. Correct.
Q . You don't know who that person was?
A. Mr. Richardson.
Q. You don’t know who that person was - you presume it was
Mr. Richardson, don't you?
A. Correct.
Q. With regard to Mrs. Haley, and Mr. Haley, who had been
injected into this by Mr. Butler, isn't it true that Mr.
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Haley, a Negro, a black person, taught all the black
pupils in the physical education department there in the
high school - that he didn't teach white students?
Yes or no.
A. I don't know.
Q. You did think about it before coming to this court today?
A. Yes.
Q. And you don't know what the answer is?
A. I don't remember.
Q. Do you know whether Mrs. Haley taught any white students
in the predominately white high school before she submit
ted her request for a leave of absence?
A. I don't know that.
Q. I want to get one thing straight. You said that you
completely integrated '67-68. You don't really mean
that, you mean that you opened up all grades to freedom
of choice for the 1967-68 school year, is that right?
A. All grades were opened.
Q. And for the '67-68 school year, you did continue to
maintain an all-black school?
A. Correct.
MR. WALKER: Thank you.
RECROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR, BUTLER:
Q. Mr. Wheeler, when Mrs. Haley was teaching In the Wheatley
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High School and junior high school, was It predominantly
white or black in 1967-68?
A. It was predominantly Negro.
MR. BUTLER: That is all.
RE-REDIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. WALKER:
Q. What was the pupil enrollment at the high school level
during the 1967-68 school year?
A. I don't remember.
Q. You said predominantly black. Isn't it true that you
stated earlier in a deposition that it was approximately
45 percent white?
A. Right.
Q. How, then, can you explain the two black teachers that
would have all black students in a high school which is
45 percent white?
A. I don't recall having said they were all Negro.
Q. All right, let's assume for the moment that they are.
How can you explain that?
MR. BUTLER: Your Honor, we are not on
assumption here. I object to that question.
MR. WALKER: Your Honor, I think the
proof will be made to show that there were.
MR. BUTLER: I would like to ask Mr.
Wheeler one more question and I'll be through.
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RE-RECROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. Mr. Wheeler, did you and the secretary of the board
sign a letter that has been exhibited here to the four
plaintiffs notifying them officially of the termination
of their services?
A . Yes.
Q. And do you know why that was necessary to send them
these written formal notices?
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Yes, sir.
Why?
If they had not been sent in a designated time we would
have automatically had to reemploy them.
Is that required by the state law?
Yes, sir.
MR. BUTLER: Thank you.
RE-RE-REDIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. WALKER:
Q. You had this meeting with them on April 29, and you sent
the notices out on May 28. I notice that even though
you signed these notices, and the secretary signed them,
that the decision was made by Mr. Kennedy on April 29 as
to the teachers who would be hired the coming year. Is
that true?
A . No.
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Q. I hand you Defendants* Exhibit 1 and ask you if that
date was contained in there?
MR. WALKER: Your Honor, I would like for
you to examine this exhibit.
(Exhibit is observed)
A. It is dated April 29, 1968. "Motion made and seconded
to accept Mr. Kennedy's recommendation on the remaining
teachers that were to be hired."
Q. My question to you is, how could Mr. Kennedy objectively
compare the qualifications of these four plaintiffs with
the other persons who were being retained, or with new
people who were going to be coming into the new system
for the first time that he did not even know?
A. They weren't released on his recommendations.
Q. The people who were rehired, or were coming into the
system for the first time were brought in on his recom
mendations, isn't that true?
A. After he was hired.
Q. What about April 29?
A. He wasn't an official member of the faculty at that time.
Q. But on the basis of his recommendation you hired all new
teachers, according to this in the minutes. Are these
erroneous minutes?
A. It's possible that that should have been after he was
employed.
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Q. 1 So It's possible that these are erroneous minutes?
A . It's possible.
Q. Do you know whether Mr. Kennedy did, in fact, appear
at that board meeting on April 29, 1968?
A. I don't recall that he did.
Q. So if these are erroneous board minutes, it's possible
there have been others, isn't it?
A. (No response)
THE COURT: Are you concluded?
MR. WALKER: Yes, Your Honor.
EXAMINATION BY THE COURT
Q. Mr. Wheeler, I know you have been here a long and under
gone substantial interrogation from the attorneys. How
ever, I would like to obtain a little more information
and particularly for clarification.
Mr. Jackson was last employed for the school year of
1967-68?
A. Yes, sir, in the Wheatley School.
Q. Did I understand that he was the principal at the elemen
tary school?
A. Central School, yes, sir.
Q. Which was the black school?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. And he taught in the elementary grades?
A. Yes, sir.
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Before the high school and junior high were transferred
to the Wheatley School from the Wheatley Central, did
he teach in the elementary school, or did he teach in
the junior high or high school?
A. In the elementary school.
Q. If you know, has his service the entire time in the
school system been in the elemtary grades?
A. Yes, sir, to my knowledge.
Q. Is the same information true with reference to Mrs.
Jackson?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. She was an elementary teacher?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Is the same true insofar as Mrs. Meeks is concerned?
A. Yes, sir. Your Honor, I may clarify that inasmuch as
the high school children were sent to Brinkley on a
tuition basis prior to the '67-68 school year.
Q. Were sent to where?
A. Brinkley, high school in Brinkley.
Q. Of course it goes without saying, then, that Mr. Coleman
was teaching at the elementary school?
A. Correct.
Q. How many teachers did you have in the elementary school
at Wheatley Central School?
A. In '67-68?
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Q. Yes.
A. Five.
Q. You had five teachers in the elementary school?
A. That is grades one through five.
Q. They were all black?
A. Correct.
Q. And then you did away with Wheatley Central black elemen
tary school?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. How many of the five teachers who were employed in the
elementary school were transferred to the Wheatley
School in connection with this transitional program?
A. One.
Q. What was the name of that teacher?
A. I ’m not sure If it was Mrs. Spears or Mrs. Cannon; one
of the two.
Q. How many students were going to the Wheatley Central
elementary school?
A. I don't remember the number, Your Honor.
Q. Then I would assume that from: your testimony that
you had eighteen teachers at that time in the Wheatley
Elementary, Junior High and High School?
A. Yes, sir.
Q . You earlier testified that there were 23 teachers in the
entire system at that time?
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A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
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A.
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A.
A.
Yes, sir.
How many of those eighteen teachers were white, and how
many of them were black?
There was four black and fourteen white.
Today you have the superintendent of schools and nineteen
teachers?
Yes, Your Honor... eighteen teachers, a principal and
a superintendent.
According to that you have a total of 20, a superintendent
principal and eighteen teachers?
Yes, sir.
The superintendent, Mr. Kennedy, is white. Is the
principal white?
Yes, sir.
What is his name?
William Lee
Now the four who are black teaching in the Wheatley
School, how many are teaching in the high school, if any,
how many are teaching in the junior high, and how many
in the elementary grades?
There are not any in junior high and senior high.
MR. WALKER: Your Honor I think Mr.
Kennedy would state that there are only three black
teachers in the school.
That is correct. We had four contracted and one of them
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I
asked for an absence of leave.
Q. (THE COURT, continuing) And all three of those are
teaching in the elementary school?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Was Mrs. Haley teaching in the elementary schools?
A. No, sir, she was in high school.
Q. And when she left then that vacancy necessarily had to
be filled by someone who was qualified to teach in the
high school?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. D id y o u h a v e n e e d f o r t h e em p lo y m e n t o f a n y t e a c h e r s i n
t h e e l e m e n ta r y s c h o o l b e g i n n i n g w i th t h e s c h o o l y e a r o f
1968 - 6 9 , i f y o u know ?
A. Since the ' 68 - 6 9 ?
Q. Since you closed the Central School and moved everything
to the Wheatley School?
A. Yes, sir, there was.
Q. You moved one teacher from Central over?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Did you employ or bring into the elementary school any
other teachers?
A. Three new teachers.
Q. Three new teachers in the elementary school?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. How many of the eighteen teachers of the entire school
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system are teaching in the elementary school?
A. Nine.
THE COURT: I believe that is all the
questions I have. Any further questions?
MR. BUTLER: No further questions.
MR. WALKER: I would just like to get
one thing cleared up.
RE-RE-REDIRECT EXAMINATION, continued
BY MR. WALKER:
Q. Mr. Wheeler, it is my information that you really didn’t
have two high school teachers. You had one high school
black teacher, and that was Mrs. Haley; and Mr. Haley
was actually doing the student teaching. Is that true?
I mean he was not on the payroll of the district as such,
but he was doing his student teaching to fulfill his
teaching requirements from his college?
A. Yes.
MR. WALKER: Thank you.
THE COURT: Gentlemen, it is past the
noon hour. We will be in recess until 1:30.
(WHEREUPON, at 12:20 o'clock
p. m., Court called a recess
and at 1:30 o'clock p. m. the
following proceedings occurred
in the courtroom:)
THE COURT: Call your next witness.
MR. WALKER: L. R. Jackson.
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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1 WHEREUPON,
L. R. Jackson, a witness called on behalf of the plain
tiffs, after first being duly sworn, testified as follows:
DIRECT EXAMINATION
3Y MR. WALKER:
Q. Mr. Jackson, would you state your name, address and
A.
Q.
A.
Q.,
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
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occupation, please?
My name is Lee Roy Jackson. My address is 308 Carter
Street, Brinkley. My occupation is school teaching.
What is your education?
I have a BS degree in elementary education and a minor
in sociology. I have my degree from Orambling College.
Do you hold an appropriate certification as an elementary
school teacher from the State Department of Ecucation?
I do.
How long have you been in the teaching profession, Mr.
Jackson?
Twenty-five years.
Have you previously been employed as a school teacher
and administrator for the Wheatley School System?
I have.
How long were you employed by that school system and In
what capacity?
I've been employed in the Wheatley School System eleven
years, eleven contract years, as a full-time professional
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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-96-
teacher and a supervisor, supervisor-principal.
Q. At which school did you teach or work prior to the
time that you began work at the Wheatley School
System?
A. Moro School at More, Arkansas - called the Carver
School.
Q. So you left the colored school at Moro to come to the
colored school or all-black school at Wheatley?
A. That's right.
Q. Did you receive any recommendation in coming from the
Moro School System to the Wheatley School System?
A. I did.
Q. By whom was that recommendation made?
A. Mr. Kennedy, superintendent of the Wheatley School
District.
Q. He recommended you for the job?
A. That's right.
Q. Eleven years ago, even though you were not teaching
in the system?
A. Right.
Q. At the time that you came to work from Carver, would you
mind stating to the Court what the arrangement was
that the district had for Negro pupils in grades seven
through twelve who resided in the Wheatley School Dist
rict?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
-97-
A. Grades seven through twelve were transported to the
high school in Brinkley, Marion Anderson.
Q. That is the Negro high school?
A. Yes, Negro High School in Brinkley.
Q. Was this pursuant to a tuition arrangement between
Wheatley and Brinkley?
A. Yes, sir, on a tuitional basis.
Q. What was the number of grades in the Wheatly Central
School when you first came there?
A. When I first came there it was first through six.
Q. And all the pupils who resided in the district attended
that particular school — all the pupils who were
black?
A. That's right.
Q. And white youngsters in grades one through twelve
attended school at Wheatley?
A. That's right.
Q. During your tenure as supervisor or principal and
teacher at the Central School, how many superintendents
have you had occasion to work under?
A. You want me to name them?
Q. Please.
A. I was hired under Mr. Brown. After Mr. Brown I served
one year under a superintendent named Mr. Steel. After
Mr. Steel I served two years under Mr. Randolph who
- 98-
is now with the fire department at Little Rock.
Then I served a year under Mr. Lineberger, then three
years under Mr. Flowers, and one year under Mr. Richard
son.
Q. During that period of time what was your understanding
of the power that was in the Wheatley School System?
Do you understand my question?
A. No.
Q. Well, explain how your relationship was to the super
intendent, and also what your relationship was to
the Board of Education?
A. When the school board hired me they asked me to come
to a meeting. At that time I had a chance to ask
them any questions I needed to about the school. At
that time they told me if I had a problem with anything
to tell the superintendent, and the superintendent
would tell them and they would take care of it.
That lasted about two years and after that I haven't
seen a school board member.
Q. You mean to say that in the last nine years there has
not been a school board member at your school?
A. No, sir.
Q. Your answer is that they have not been in your school?
A. That's right.
Q. When you went to that school what was the structure, or
- 99-
what did the structure of the building consist of?
A block building.
How many classrooms did you have?
Six classrooms but only used five.
Did you have a library there?
No, sir.
Have you ever had a library in that school?
No, sir.
Have you ever had any teaching personnel prior to
Public Law 8910 other than persons who had instructional
relationships to the pupils?
No.
Prior to Public Law 8910 did you have any special pro
grams designed to enable the youngsters to overcome
any l e a r n i n g d i s a b i l i t i e s t h a t t h e y may h a v e h a d .
No, sir, we did not.
Did the previous superintendents devote much time
and attention to the program at the Wheatley Central
School?
No, sir.
In terms of funds that were provided to the school
which were disbursed through you, would you state
whether or not you received special funds for the
purpose of instructional material at any time from
the Board of Education?
- 100-
A. We did not.
Q. In the event you did receive, or your school did re
ceive, instructional material at any time, by what
source was it provided?
A. It was provided by whatever the superintendent wanted
us to have. He would buy it and bring it to us.
Q. So that if a teacher needed teaching aids and materials
in language, how would she get them?
A. Buy them with their own money.
Q. Did you have occasion to do that, Mr. Jackson?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. One occasion?
A. Several occasions.
Q. Do you have personal knowledge of whether other teachers
have done the same thing?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Would you say that was a seldom or frequent thing?
A. It was during the year anytime they needed anything.
The teachers could make out a list of what they wanted
and I ’d carry it to the superintendent, and he would
promise to get it but I wouldn’t get It. This past
school year when we opened school and we had done some
transferring I had teachers - one was third and one was
second grade - who needed actual textbooks. I gave
the list to the superintendent and as to this day
we have not gotten books.
101
Q. Did you ever have occasion to get hand-me-down books
from the white school?
A. It's all we ever got.
Q. Do you know whether or not you received other used
items that came from the white school, such as desks?
A. Yes, sir, we have.
Q. Do you know whether any materials or facilities or
resources that were used in the black schools were
ever taken from the black school after they had been
used and placed in the white schools?
A. Not while I was there.
Q. Did you have a hot-lunch program there at the school,
Mr. Jackson?
A. Yes.
Q. Would you mind stating to the Court what happened to
that hot-lunch program whenever it rained?
A. Whenever it rained the concrete floor on the east
side of the building which consisted of lunch room,
three classrooms and two restrooms, the water would just
come clean through; and there have been several occasions
on a rainy day where I had to go off and get some boots
so my cook could continue to serve during the noon
hour. Some child would have to go back there and
continue to sweep out the water with a broom.
MR. BUTLER: May it please the Court,
this line of testimony is not germane to the issue
- 1 0 2 -
in this case, whether their contracts were terminated
because of race.
MR. WALKER: Your Honor, our position
is that in view of the fact that these teachers were
dismissed because of the fact that they provided poor
quality instruction, we have to respond to that by
showing that what they had to work with was poor
equipment and no equipment and facilities, and this is
what I'm attempting to show by this line of testimony.
THE COURT: Mr. Walker, testimony has
already been put in this record to show that the
school had a certain rating, or maybe no rating at all,
and this is true. The contenticn is lack of qualifi
cation, and I think it is proper''test imony. You may
proceed.
Q. (MR. WALKER, continuing) Did you bring any of this
back to the attention of the superintendent of schools?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. What was his response to these facts?
A. One day after I talked with him I seen Mr. Michaelis
looking it over, and they got the janitor to take
a shovel and dig a six-inch ditch on the back, and
everytime it'd rain the ditch would run over. They
got a road grader to dig one ditch out on the front
running north, two running west; but our water
pumping was on the back, and the six-inch ditch wouldn't
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the water.
Q. Did you ever have to do any maintenance work yourself?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. When you presented these problems to the superintendent,
did he help you with the maintenance, or did he provide
you with materials or anything?
A. He would give me funds to go buy a mop but I'd have to
do the work,
Q . Now...
A. Mr. Walker, I might say that I didn't have a janitor,
I had a man who swept up every evening after we were
gone.
Q. You were never provided a janitor for that school?
A. One who would sweep up the school in the afternoon,
but after that I wouldn't see him until the next day
after dinner.
Q. Had you stated previously whether the board ever involved
itself directly in the last two years with the school
facility itself?
A. No, sir, it didn't.
Q. Do you know whether any board member individually ever
came into the classroom of either one of the dismissed
teachers?
A. No, sir. I was only able to get the superintendent
in the classroom once at that time. During that time
we had a committee from the Health, Education and
1 0 4 -
Welfare there.
Q. With the employment of teachers, what was your respon
sibility for the employment of teachers for the Wheatley
Central School?
A. The superintendent would talkrto me about these
matters, and we would agree on it, and then he would
recommend them back to the board. That was until the
last two years.
Q. What happened during that time?
A. I don't know because nobody asked me about it. I
would be unable to tell you.
Q. During the time of your administration, more or less
while you were also teaching, did you have occasion:',
to observe the work of Mrs. Meeks, Mrs. Jackson and
Mr. Coleman?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Did you observe them to be competent, qualified teachers?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Were they appropriately certified by the State Board of
Education?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Every one of them?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Did Mr. Richardson, the previous superintendent, know
this?
A. He should have, the records were in his office; I know
- 1 0 5 -
that.
Q. Did you ever receive any complaints from Mr. Richard
son about their work?
A. No, sir.
Q. Or about the end result that was being produced by
the Wheatley Central School?
A. No, sir.
Q. Did you ever receive any complaints from Mr. Richardson
about the credit or the purchases of your wife, Mrs.
Jackson?
A. No, sir.
Q. Did you ever receive any complaints from the board
about either the work or the credit of Mrs. Jackson?
A. No, sir.
Q. Or Mrs. Meeks?
A. No, sir.
Q. Or of Mr. Coleman?
A. No, sir.
Q. If these people had received a complaint from the
board or the superintendent, how would that complaint
have been made?
A. Through the superintendent.
Q. Then from the superintendent to which other person
in the line down?
A . To me.
Q. Then from you to...?
- 106-
A. To the individual.
Q. Since you have been principal of the school, or
supervisor-teacher, have you had occasion to receive
complaints about white teachers in the system?
A. No, sir.
Q. Have you received complaints against Negro teachers
in the system?
A. No, sir.
Q. You heard stated that there were two different occasions
when you appeared before the board to answer complaints
about your work from Negro citizens, is that correct?
A. No, sir, that is not true. I never appeared before
the board...
Q. According to their minutes...
A. No, sir, that is not true.
Q. You have not?
A. No, sir, I have never appeared before the board on
local complaints.
Q. Mr. Jackson, do you know whether any of the other
teachers have actually appeared before the board?
A. No, sir, they have not.
Q. Do you know whether the board meetings are public to
the best of your knowledge?
A. No, sir, I do not.
Q. You do not know?
- 107-
A. I do not know.
Q. When did the school district begin a process of deseg
regation - in a general way what was the plan they
adopted?
A. They started their desegregation plan under Mr. Flowers.
When he told me about it they were going to integrate
the first grades in high school because they sent the
high school students to Brinkley, and it was recom
mended to him that he follow Brinkley^s plan which
was the first four grades, and that’s how it started -
the first four grades.
Q. What was the number of black pupils who were assigned
to the white school to the best of your recollection?
A. Eight.
Q. And the rest of the youngsters in grades one through
six were to continue in Central School?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. The second year of'desegregation, what was the plan and
what was the result of the plan in terms of Negro
pupils going to white schools?
A. The plan the second year was to integrate the next
four which would be the first eight grades. At the
time the bus got overcrowded and they had kept the
seventh grade back at home which gave me the seventh
grade.
- 1 0 8 -
Q. By that you mean they had n ot continued to transport
the seventh grade pupils to Brinkley?
A. Yes. An overcrowded bus caused us to keep them.
Then the year when they was to get ready the first eight
grades the Brinkly school board said they would not
take the eight grade. Therefore that year we had
freedom of choice from the first through the eighth
grades.
Q. During that year how many black teachers were assigned
to the Wheatley High School?
A. You mean?
Q. During the second year of integration?
A. One.
Q. What was the racial composition of the pupilsi that
teacher taught to the best of your recollection?
A. To the best information I had she was teaching a special
reading course, and she told me she taught grades one
through eight.
Q. All black students?
A. All black.
Q. What was her name?
A. Mrs. Spears.
Q. Is Mrs. Spears still teaching in the system?
A. Yes.
Q. Is she still teaching all black students?
A. Yes, sir.
109.
Q. D u r i n g t h e t h i r d y e a r o n d e s e g r e g a t i o n , d o y o u r e c a l l
w h a t t h e p l a n w a s - - t h a t w a s ' 6 7 - 6 8 ?
A. T h a t w a s f o r t h e h i g h s c h o o l .
Q. C o m p l e t e o n e t h r o u g h t w e l v e ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. Do y o u r e c a l l how m any N e g r o p u p i l s r e m a i n e d i n y o u r
s c h o o l a t t h a t t i m e ?
A . A t t h a t t i m e I h a d 1 2 5 .
Q. And how m any h a d y o u h a d i n 1 9 6 4 ?
A. 1 9 6 4 , b e t t e r t h a n 2 0 0 .
Q. I n 1 9 6 7 - 6 8 did y o u h a v e a n y c o n v e r s a t i o n a b o u t t h e
d e s e g r e g a t i o n p l a n t h a t t h e d i s t r i c t w a s f o l l o w i n g
w i t h t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f s c h o o l s ?
A. Y e s , s i r , h e t o l d me t h a t t h e y w e r e f o l l o w i n g som e
d e s e g r e g a t i o n p l a n s , b u t h e c o u l d n ' t g i v e me d e f i n i t e
a b o u t i t . He h a d t o w a i t u n t i l h e h a d s o m e m o r e n e w s ,
a n d s o h e com e b y o n e d a y a n d h e t o l d me t h a t t h e
H e a l t h , E d u c a t i o n a n d W e l f a r e D e p a r t m e n t w a s g o i n g
t o v i s i t u s , a n d t h e y d i d .
q . A nd w h a t h a p p e n e d a f t e r t h e r e s u l t o f t h e HEW v i s i t ?
A. When t h e y v i s i t e d , t h a t w a s t h e o n l y t i m e I g o t t h e
s u p e r i n t e n d e n t i n a l l t h e t e a c h e r s ' r o o m s . And t h e
w e e k a f t e r t h e y m ade t h e i r v i s i t , t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t
c a m e down o n e morning a n d t o l d me t h a t t h e y b a d s a i d
t h a t a l l c h i l d r e n w a s e n t i t l e d t o t h e s a m e o p p o r t u n i t y
1 1 0 .
t o g e t a n e d u c a t i o n . He f u r t h e r t o l d me t h a t t h e y
h a d h i m t o k n o w t h a t W h e a t l e y E l e m e n t a r y S c h o o l h a d
o n e s i x t h g r a d e t e a c h e r w h e r e I h a d s i x a n d s e v e n
g r a d e s a n d my c h i l d r e n d i d n o t h a v e t h e s a m e
o p p o r t u n i t y t h e y h a d . T h e r e f o r e , h e s a i d m ove t h o s e
t w o g r a d e s . My f i r s t g r a d e t e a c h e r h a d a b o u t 4 0
c h i l d r e n . T h e y t o l d t h e m t h e f i r s t g r a d e t e a c h e r at.
W h e a t l e y E l e m e n t a r y h a d t o o many c h i l d r e n , s o d i d
t h e t e a c h e r s a t t h e W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l S c h o o l ; m o v i n g
t w o g r a d e s , m o v e d o n e t e a c h e r a n d t a k i n g e n o u g h f i r s t
g r a d e c h i l d r e n w i t h h e r , t h a t t h e y c o u l d d i v i d e t h e
f i r s t g r a d e i n t o t h r e e s e c t i o n s a n d e a c h t e a c h e r
w o u l d h a v e t h e s a m e n u m b e r o f c h i l d r e n . A t t h i s r a t e ,
t h a t w a s t h e f i r s t y e a r s i n c e I h a d b e e n t o W h e a t l e y
t h a t we h a d g o t t e n t o t h e p l a c e t o w h e r e o n e t e a c h e r
h a d o n e g r a d e s o m e w h e r e f o r t h e w h o l e t i m e I h a d b e e n
t h e r e ; som e o f t h e t e a c h e r s down t h e l i n e h a d t w o
g r a d e s .
q . By t h a t y o u m e a n c o m b i n a t i o n o f g r a d e s , s a y l i k e
f o u r t h a n d f i f t h , s i x t h a n d s e v e n t h , f i r s t a n d s e c o n d ?
A. R i g h t .
Q. T h e y d i d , a f t e r t h e r e s u l t o f t h e HEW d i r e c t e d , a t t h e
b e g i n n i n g o f t h e ' 6 7 - 6 8 s c h o o l y e a r t a k e o n e o f y o u r
t e a c h e r s a n d p l a c e d t h e m i n t h e w h i t e s c h o o l ?
A. T h a t ' s r i g h t .
Who w a s t h a t t e a c h e r ?
M r s . Dickson.
Now w h a t w a s t h e r a c e o f t h e p u p i l s t h a t M r s . Dickson
t a u g h t d u r i n g t h e ' 6 7 - 6 8 s c h o o l y e a r , t o t h e b e s t o f
y o u r k n o w l e d g e ?
N e g r o e s .
O n l y N e g r o p u p i l s ?
Y e s , s i r .
Now d i d y o u h a v e a n y o t h e r c o n v e r s a t i o n t h a t y e a r w i t h
r e g a r d t o t h e c l o s i n g o f , o r p r o b a b l e c l o s i n g , o f t h e
C e n t r a l S c h o o l w i t h t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f s c h o o l s ?
Y e s , s i r , we t a l k e d a b o u t i t , b u t h e s e e m e d t o n o t
k n o w a n d h e w o n d e r e d w h a t w o u l d h a p p e n . So a f t e r t h e
m i d d l e o f M a r c h I a s k e d h i m w h e n t h e s c h o o l b o a r d w a s
g o i n g t o h i r e t e a c h e r s , a n d h e t o l d me h e d i d n ' t k n o w ,
b u t h e w o u l d l e t u s k n o w .
D i d h e t e l l y o u a t t h a t t i m e t h a t h e w o u l d n o t
r e c o m m e n d y o u f o r r e e m p l o y m e n t ?
No, s i r .
D i d h e m a k e a n y s t a t e m e n t a s t o t h e s c h o o l b o a r d ' s
a t t i t u d e a b o u t t h e f a c u l t y d e s e g r e g a t i o n ?
W e l l , h e t o l d me h e d i d n ' t k n o w w h a t t h e b o a r d w a s
g o i n g t o d o , a n d , o f c o u r s e , e v e r y w e e k I w o u l d a s k
h i m i f t h e y m e t , w h a t t h e y s a i d , a n d h e d i d n ' t g i v e
me a d e c i s i o n u n t i l t h e l a s t o f M a r c h .
1 1 2 .
Q. W h a t w a s h i s d e c i s i o n ?
A. T h e d e c i s i o n w a s t h a t t h e s c h o o l b o a r d h a d r e h i r e d
s e v e r a l t e a c h e r s , h a d n o t r e n e w e d my c o n t r a c t , a n d
h a d n o t v o t e d t o r e n e w my w i f e ’s , a n d h a d n o t v o t e d t o
r e n e w M r . C o l e m a n s a n d M r s . M e e k s , a n d I w a n t e d t o
k n o w w h y .
Q. D i d h e g i v e y o u a r e a s o n w h y ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. W h a t w a s t h e r e a s o n h e g a v e y o u ?
A . He t o l d me t h a t e v e r y b o d y w a s g o i n g t o p u t t h e
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o n s o m e b o d y e l s e , b u t h e s a i d , " J a c k s o n ,
t h e m a i n r e a s o n i s we a r e e n t e r i n g i n t e g r a t i o n a n d
t h i s b o a r d d o e s n o t w a n t y o u t o t e a c h t h e i r c h i l d r e n .
Q. D i d y o u h a v e a n y c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h h i m s u b j e c t t o t h a t
MR. BUTLER: Y o u r H o n o r , we w o u l d l i k e t o
a s k t h a t t h a t t e s t i m o n y b e s t r i c k e n o n t h e g r o u n d s
i t i s h e a r s a y . T h a t s u p e r i n t e n d e n t i s n o t a p a r t y t o
t h i s s u i t .
THE COURT: He i s t h e man i n v o l v e d , M r . B u t l e r ,
a n d h e c a n t e s t i f y t o w h a t h e t o l d h i m . Who w a s t h e
s u p e r i n t e n d e n t ?
Q. (MR. WALKER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : W o u l d y o u s t a t e t h e
s u p e r i n t e n d e n t ’ s n a m e , p l e a s e ?
A. M r . R i c h a r d s o n .
Q. Now w o u l d y o u m i n d s t a t i n g w h e t h e r y o u r e q u e s t e d o f
M r . R i c h a r d s o n t h a t h e a r r a n g e a m e e t i n g w i t h t h e
113.
b o a r d o f e d u c a t i o n ?
A . I d i d .
Q. W o u l d y o u s t a t e t o t h e C o u r t w h a t h a p p e n e d a f t e r y o u
m a d e t h i s r e q u e s t o f M r . R i c h a r d s o n ?
• A f t e r x m a d e t h e r e q u e s t h e c a m e b a c k o n e e v e n i n g
a t t h e c l o s e o f s c h o o l a n d t o l d me t h a t I c o u l d m e e t
w i t h t h e b o a r d t h a t n i g h t a b o u t s e v e n - t h i r t y . s o
we d i d , we m e t w i t h t h e b o a r d t h a t n i g h t a t s e v e n -
t h i r t y .
Q. Now w o u l d y o u r e l a t e t o t h e C o u r t w h a t h a p p e n e d a t
t h a t b o a r d m e e t i n g i n t h e t e r m s o f t h e p o s i t i o n t h a t
y o u t o o k a n d t h e p o s i t i o n t h a t t h e b o a r d t o o k ?
A . A t t h a t m e e t i n g t h a t n i g h t t h e y t o l d me t h e r e w a s n ' t
a n y u s e i n a n y b o d y c o m i n g b u t me , b u t I c a r r i e d a l l
f o u r o f u s . I t o l d t h e m I w o u l d l i k e t o k n o w why my
c o n t r a c t w a s n o t r e n e w e d . T h e r e a s o n t h e y g a v e me a t
t h a t m e e t i n g w a s , s i n c e t h e y p u t t h e t w o s c h o o l s
t o g e t h e r t h e y h a d m o r e N e g r o e s t h a n t h e y h a d w h i t e s .
T h e y c o u l d t a k e t h e n u m b e r o f t e a c h e r s t h e y a l r e a d y
h a d a n d r u n i t , t h e y w o u l d n ' t h a v e t o h a v e a l l o f u s .
T h a t w a s t h e i r r e a s o n f o r l e t t i n g u s g o , t h a t i s w h a t
t h e y t o l d u s a t t h e m e e t i n g . A nd d u r i n g t h a t t i m e
we d i d a s k som e q u e s t i o n s . I r e m e m b e r s o m e b o d y a s k e d
t h e q u e s t i o n i f y o u n e e d a n y m o r e t e a c h e r s , w o u l d y o u
c o n s i d e r u s . M r . K e n n e d y a n d M r . W h e e l e r h a d u s t o
k n o w d e f i n i t e l y i f t h e y h a d t o h i r e a n y m o r e t e a c h e r s
t h e y w o u l d d e f i n i t e l y c o n s i d e r u s f i r s t .
L e t me a s k y o u , d i d y o u s a y M r . K e n n e d y ?
Y e s , s i r , M r . K e n n e d y , r i g h t t h e r e .
W h a t w a s M r . K e n n e d y d o i n g t h e r e , w a s h e e m p l o y e d b y
t h e d i s t r i c t a t t h a t t i m e ?
I f I s a y s o , h e o p e r a t e d t h e m e e t i n g t h a t n i g h t .
M r . K e n n e d y ?
Y e s , s i r .
W h a t w a s M r . R i c h a r d s o n d o i n g d u r i n g a l l o f t h i s ?
A b o u t l i k e t h e a u d i e n c e b a c k t h e r e .
Now d i d y o u h a v e a n y c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h M r . R i c h a r d s o n
a f t e r t h a t b o a r d m e e t i n g a b o u t w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d a t
t h e b o a r d m e e t i n g t h e p r e v i o u s n i g h t ?
Y e s , s i r .
W o u l d y o u r e l a t e t o t h e C o u r t w h a t M r . R i c h a r d s o n
t o l d y o u a b o u t - -
THE COURT: I d o n ' t k n o w a b o u t t h a t — h e w a s
a t t h e b o a r d m e e t i n g a s I u n d e r s t o o d .
MR. WALKER: M r . R i c h a r d s o n ?
THE COURT: No, t h i s p a r t y .
MR. WALKER: Now, Y o u r H o n o r , Mr. R i c h a r d s o n
w a s t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t — M r. R i c h a r d s o n w a s s t i l l
s u p e r i n t e n d e n t a n d M r . K e n n e d y h a d n o t a s s u m e d , b y
M r . K e n n e d y ' s own t e s t i m o n y , a n y r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r
115.
t h a t s c h o o l d i s t r i c t u n t i l J u l y 1 . S o , I w a n t t o k n o w
a n d h a v e i n t h e r e c o r d a n y c o n v e r s a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e
man i n c h a r g e w i t h r u n n i n g t h a t s c h o o l a n d t h e man
c h a r g e d w i t h b e i n g r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e b l a c k s c h o o l
i n t h a t s y s t e m .
THE COURT: W e l l , h e c a n t e s t i f y t o w h a t
M r . K e n n e d y t o l d h i m w i t h r e f e r e n c e t o h i s c o n t r a c t .
B u t e n t e r i n g i n t o a d i s c u s s i o n a b o u t w h a t w e n t o n a t
t h e b o a r d m e e t i n g , t h a t w o u l d b e a l i t t l e b i t b e y o n d - -
MR. WALKER: T h a t ' s f i n e , Y o u r H o n o r .
MR. BUTLER: I w a n t t o r e n e w my o b j e c t i o n t o
a l l t h i s l i n e o f t e s t i m o n y o f w i t n e s s J a c k s o n ' s
c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h M r . R i c h a r d s o n . M r . R i c h a r d s o n i s
n o t a p a r t y t o t h i s l a w s u i t a n d we o b j e c t t o i t o n t h e
g r o u n d s t h a t i t i s h e a r s a y .
THE COURT: T h e o b j e c t i o n i s o v e r r u l e d b e c a u s e
M r . R i c h a r d s o n w a s t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f s c h o o l s a t
t h e t i m e a n d w a s i n v o l v e d i n t h e m e e t i n g s a n d t h e
a c t i o n s t h a t t o o k p l a c e . You may p r o c e e d .
MR. WALKER: L e t me s a y t h a t I w o u l d l i k e t o
u r g e t h a t M r . R i c h a r d s o n ' s r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s a r e t h e
r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s t h a t t h e s e d e f e n d a n t s a r e i n c o u r t
now t r y i n g t o u p h o l d .
(MR. WALKER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : W h a t o t h e r c o n v e r s a t i o n
a b o u t t h e r e n e w a l o f y o u r c o n t r a c t , o r t h e o t h e r
t e a c h e r ' s c o n t r a c t s d i d y o u t h e r e a f t e r h a v e w i t h
M r. R i c h a r d s o n ?
T h e n e x t d a y M r . R i c h a r d s o n h a d me t o k n o w t h a t w h a t
t h e b o a r d t o l d me t h a t n i g h t w a s n o t w h a t t h e y h a d
t o l d h i m . He s a i d a f t e r we l e f t t h a t n i g h t a n d t h e y
w e n t b a c k t o v i s i t h e a s k e d t h e m i f t h e y h a d c h a n g e d
t h e i r m i n d s , a n d s o m e b o d y a s k e d h i m w h y . He s a i d
y o u d i d n o t t e l l t h o s e t e a c h e r s w h a t y o u h a d p u t o n
r e c o r d . And h e s a i d t h e y d i d n ’ t s a y a n y t h i n g e l s e
a b o u t i t „
Now l e t me a s k y o u , I w a n t t o s a v e some t i m e b y u s i n g
y o u a s m uch a s I c a n . Now, M r s . M a l i s s a M e e k s i s y o u r
s i s t e r ?
T h a t ' s r i g h t .
D o e s s h e q u a l i f y a s a t e a c h e r ?
T h a t ' s r i g h t .
Now d o y o u k n o w w h e t h e r o r n o t s h e h a d a f i r e a t a n y
t i m e d u r i n g t h e 1 9 6 6 - 6 7 y e a r ?
Y e a h , I d o .
W h a t h a p p e n e d i n t h a t f i r e t o t h e b e s t o f y o u r k n o w l e d g e
S h e h a d a t o t a l l o s s .
Do y o u p e r s o n a l l y k n o w a s a r e s u l t o f t h a t f i r e s h e
i n c u r r e d som e f i n a n c i a l h a r d s h i p ?
Y e s , s i r , s h e d i d .
B u t p r i o r t o t h a t t i m e t o t h e b e s t o f y o u r k n o w l e d g e
d i d s h e h a v e d i f f i c u l t y p a y i n g h e r d e b t s ?
117 .
A . N o , s i r , s h e d i d n ' t .
Q. Now, M r . J a c k s o n , t h e r e h a s b e e n som e t e s t i m o n y a b o u t
s o m e p u r c h a s e s m a d e b y M r s . J a c k s o n f r o m a p l a c e
c a l l e d S c h o o l p r o d u c t s C o m p a n y . C o u l d y o u t e l l u s
w h a t t h e S c h o o l P r o d u c t s C om pa ny i s ?
A. S c h o o l P r o d u c t s C om pany i s a c o m p a n y w h e r e y o u b u y
m a t e r i a l t o u s e i n t h e s c h o o l s .
Q. Do y o u k n o w w h e t h e r M r s . J a c k s o n a c t u a l l y p u r c h a s e d
m a t e r i a l s f r o m t h a t p l a c e ?
A. Y e s , s i r , s h e a c t u a l l y p u r c h a s e d m a t e r i a l s b u t n o t
c h a r g e d t o t h e s c h o o l b o a r d .
Q. To whom w e r e t h e y c h a r g e d ?
A . T h e y w a s c h a r g e d t o h e r , a s a t e a c h e r i n t h e W h e a t l e y
C e n t r a l S c h o o l .
Q. D i d s h e p a y f o r t h e m h e r s e l f ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. F o r whom d i d s h e u s e t h o s e m a t e r i a l s t h a t s h e p u r c h a s e d
A. U s e d t h e m f o r t h e c h i l d r e n i n s c h o o l .
Q. T h e r e h a s b e e n som e t e s t i m o n y a b o u t t h e a c c r e d i t a t i o n
o r t h e c e r t i f i c a t i o n o f M r . C o l e m a n ; w a s M r . C o l e m a n
c e r t i f i e d d u r i n g t h e ' 6 6 - 6 7 s c h o o l y e a r ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q. Was h e e l i g i b l e t o y o u r k n o w l e d g e a c c o r d i n g t o t h e
i n f o r m a t i o n g i v e n y o u b y M r . R i c h a r d s o n f o r r e c e r t i f i
c a t i o n f o r t h e ' 6 8 - 6 9 s c h o o l y e a r ?
A. Y e s , s i r , h e w a s .
118,
Q. Now f o r t h e r e c o r d , , y o u a r e e m p l o y e d a t p r e s e n t , a r e
y o u n o t ?
A . I am p a r t - t i m e .
Q. P a r t - t i m e e m p l o y m e n t ?
A . T h a t ' s r i g h t .
MR. WALKER: Y o u r H o n o r , I h a v e g o n e t h r o u g h
m o s t o f t h i s a n d M r . B u t l e r h a s t o o a n d I w o u l d l i k e
t o m a k e p e r h a p s a c a p i t a l i z e d s t a t e m e n t , b e c a u s e t h i s
j u s t g o e s t o t h e i s s u e o f d a m a g e s .
THE COURT: Why d o n ' t y o u l e t h i m t e s t i f y ,
a n d n o t t e s t i f y f o r h i m , M r . W a l k e r ?
MR. WALKER: I w a s t r y i n g t o s a v e som e t i m e .
Q. (MR. WALKER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : W o u l d y o u m i n d s t a t i n g w h a t
y o u r p r e s e n t s a l a r y i s ?
A. My p r e s e n t s a l a r y i s , i f we d o n ' t m i s s a n y d a y s , w o u l d
b e a l i t t l e u n d e r t h r e e h u n d r e d d o l l a r s a m o n t h , i f
we d o n ' t m i s s a n y d a y s .
Q. You s a y , " w e " , y o u m e a n y o u r s e l f a n d - -
A. T h e r e a r e t w o o f u s e m p l o y e d ' .
Q. Y ou a n d —•
A. M r s . M e e k s .
Q. I s t h a t b y t h e B r i n k l e y s c h o o l s y s t e m ?
A. R i g h t , t h e B r i n k l e y s c h o o l s y s t e m .
Q. W h a t k i n d o f p r o g r a m i s t h a t ?
A. T h a t i s b a s i c a l l y a d u l t e d u c a t i o n .
119.
Q. Now what is the duration of your contract with them —
what period of time?
A. Seven months.
Q . How much does the contract call for over that seven-
month period?
A. $2,100.00.
Q. And what would have been your salary, to the best of
your knowledge, in the Wheatley school system had you
been retained during the current year?
A. Basing it on last year's salary it would have been $5,600.00.
Q. For the '67-68 school year?
A. Yes, sir.
THE COURT: How much?
A. $5,600.00, sir.
Q. (MR. WALKER, continuing:) Now, have you expended any
amounts of money in looking for new employment, or
other employment, since your termination?
A. I have.
Q. Would you state to the Court the number of places that
you have gone to work, and the approximate amounts
you have spent trying to mitigate damages? Have you
made some notes about this?
A. I have these.
Q. Would you mind setting them out, please?
A. Forrest City, Wynne, Marianna, Helena, West Memphis,
B r i n M e y , C o t t o n p l a n t , M a r i o n , E a r l e , C r a w f o r d s v i l l e ,
p a r k i n , B l y t h e v i l l e , O s c e o l a , W i l s o n , T u r r e l l , M c C r o r y ,
L o n o k e , H a z e n , C a r l i s l e , P i n e B l u f f , G o u l d , D u m as ,
M o ro a n d D e W i t t .
W e r e y o u s e e k i n g e m p l o y m e n t i n s c h o o l s y s t e m s ?
Y e s , s i r .
I n t h o s e c o m m u n i t i e s ?
Y e s , s i r .
D i d y o u d r i v e y o u r own c a r ?
Y e s , s i r .
Y ou h a v e n ' t m a d e a m i l e a g e c h a r t , h a v e y o u ?
N o , s i r , n o t e x a c t l y . T h e b e s t t h i n g I c o u l d g o b y
i s t h e g a s o l i n e b i l l s a t t h e e n d o f t h e m o n t h .
H a v e y o u a l s o s p e n t l a r g e a m o u n t s o f m o n e y i n g e t t i n g
t o a n d f r o m y o u r p r e s e n t e m p l o y m e n t e a c h d a y t h a t y o u
w o u l d n o t h a v e h a d t o e x p e n d i f y o u h a d b e e n c o n t i n u e d
i n e m p l o y m e n t b y t h e W h e a t l e y s c h o o l s y s t e m ?
Y e s , s i r .
How f a r i s y o u r p r e s e n t e m p l o y m e n t f r o m y o u r r e s i d e n c e ?
S i n c e my w i f e d o e s n ' t d r i v e , m a k e s me s i x t y —t w o m i l e s
f r o m i t . Now, I w a n t y o u t o k n o w my p r e s e n t e m p l o y m e n t
i s t h r e e b l o c k s f r o m my h o u s e .
I s e e , b u t y o u h a v e g o t t o t a k e y o u r w i f e t o w o r k t h e n
com e b a c k t o B r i n k l e y , o r W h e a t l e y , y o u r s e l f ?
To B r i n k l e y .
1 2 1 .
Q.
A .
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
BY MR.
How f a r i s y o u r r e s i d e n c e f r o m t h e W h e a t l e y s c h o o l s ,
w h i c h u s e d t o b e p r e d o m i n a n t l y w h i t e s c h o o l s ?
F i v e m i l e s .
So t h a t w o u l d m e a n a r o u n d t r i p o f t e n m i l e s t o t h a t
s c h o o l a s o v e r a g a i n s t a r o u n d t r i p o f s i x t y - t w o m i l e s
t o F o r r e s t C i t y ?
(N o d s a f f i r m a t i v e . )
M r . J a c k s o n , h a v e y o u e n c o u n t e r e d a n y f i n a n c i a l d i s
t r e s s o r p r o b l e m s s i n c e y o u a n d y o u r w i f e w e r e
t e r m i n a t e d b y t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t ?
Y e s , s i r .
D i d y o u h a v e c o n s i d e r a b l e f i n a n c i a l p r o b l e m s b e f o r e
y o u w e r e t e r m i n a t e d ?
No, s i r .
W o u l d y o u s t a t e w h e t h e r y o u r p r e s e n t f i n a n c i a l d i s t r e s s
h a s a d i r e c t r e l a t i o n s h i p t o y o u r t e r m i n a t i o n ?
Y e s , s i r .
W o u l d y o u k n o w w h e t h e r t h i s w o u l d b e m o r e o r l e s s
t r u e , t o t h e b e s t o f y o u r k n o w l e d g e , o f M r s . M e e k s
a n d a l s o M r . C o l e m a n ?
Y e s , s i r , i t w o u l d b e .
MR. WALKER: T h a n k y o u .
THE COURT: You may p r o c e e d .
CROSS EXAMINATION
BUTLER:
Q. M r. J a c k s o n , how o l d d i d y o u s a y y o u w e r e ?
1 2 2 .
A . F i f t y - n i n e .
Q. A nd w h e r e d i d y o u t e a c h p r i o r t o c o m i n g t o M o r o ,
A r k a n s a s ?
A . M o r o ?
Q. Y e s .
A . J u n c t i o n C i t y .
Q. And how l o n g w e r e y o u t h e r e ?
A. F o u r t e e n y e a r s .
Q. W h e r e d i d y o u t e a c h p r i o r t o t h a t ?
A. A t l a n t a .
Q. W h e r e ?
A. A t l a n t a , A r k a n s a s .
Q. A t l a n t a , A r k a n s a s . And how l o n g d i d y o u t e a c h t h e r e ?
A. S e v e n y e a r s , I t h i n k .
Q. A nd w h e r e w e r e y o u p r i o r t o t h a t ?
A. I w a s t h e r e f r o m t h e s t a r t . I s t a r t e d a t a l i t t l e
p l a c e c a l l e d H a r o l d s b o r o .
Q. And how l o n g d i d y o u t e a c h t h e r e ?
A . T h r e e y e a r s .
Q. Now I h o l d h e r e i n my h a n d S t a t e o f A r k a n s a s ,
D e p a r t m e n t o f E d u c a t i o n C e r t i f i c a t e No. 3 4 5 5 3 i s s u e d
t o L e e Roy J a c k s o n o n J u l y 1 0 , 1 9 6 4 , e x p i r i n g J u l y 1 0 ,
1 9 7 0 , s h o w i n g y o u a t t h a t t i m e t o b e f i f t y - s i x y e a r s
o f a g e a n d i t r e f l e c t s t h a t y o u a r e c e r t i f i e d o n
S o c i a l S t u d i e s . I w o u l d l i k e t o h a n d y o u t h i s a n d
A .
Q-
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
a s k y o u i f t h i s i s y o u r c e r t i f i c a t e f r o m t h e S t a t e
D e p a r t m e n t o f E d u c a t i o n o f t h e S t a t e o f A r k a n s a s ?
T h a t ' s r i g h t .
W o u l d y o u m a k e t h i s a n e x h i b i t t o y o u r t e s t i m o n y i n
t h i s c a s e .
(N o d s a f f i r m a t i v e . )
MR. WALKER: Y o u r H o n o r , we h a v e n o o b j e c t i o n
t o i t .
THE COURT: I t w i l l b e r e c e i v e d f o r t h e
r e c o r d .
(WHEREUPON, t h e d o c u m e n t
d e s c r i b e d a b o v e w a s m a r k e d
D e f e n d a n t s ' E x h i b i t N o . 2 f o r
i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , r e c e i v e d i n e v i d e n c e
a n d m a d e a p a r t o f t h e r e c o r d h e r e o f . )
(MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : Now y o u a r e c e r t i f i e d
b y t h e S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t o f E d u c a t i o n o n S o c i a l S t u d i e s ,
w h a t d o e s t h a t i n e f f e c t s a y t h a t y o u d o o r q u a l i f i e d
t o d o ?
T h a t s a y s I am q u a l i f i e d t o t e a c h s o c i a l s t u d i e s i n
h i g h s c h o o l . My d e g r e e i s i n e l e m e n t a r y e d u c a t i o n .
Now w h e r e i s y o u r d e g r e e i n e l e m e n t a r y e d u c a t i o n ?
Do y o u h a v e a c o p y o f t h a t w i t h y o u ?
No, s i r , i t i s s u p p o s e d t o b e i n t h e o f f i c e ; t h a t ' s
w h e r e t h a t o n e w a s , t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t ' s o f f i c e .
You d o n ' t h a v e y o u r d e g r e e o n e l e m e n t a r y e d u c a t i o n
w i t h y o u , a c o p y o f i t ?
N o , s i r .
1 2 3.
124 .
Q. And where did you get that degree?
A. Grambling College.
Q. And when did you get it?
A. I think in *51.
Q. Now, social studies means that you are qualified,
according to the Arkansas Department of Education,
to teach history, geography and civics, is that right?
A . Yes, sir.
Q. And that is in high school?
A . That's right.
Q. I believe you mentioned awhile ago the names of the
various superintendents that you worked under at
Wheatley, and I think you mentioned one as being
Mr. Randolph; isn't it a matter of fact that was Mr.
Rudolf Brown, and there never was a Mr. Randolph?
A. That's right.
Q. Rudolf Brown and not Mr. Randolph?
A . That's right.
Q. When you were working at Wheatley Central in 1967-68,
did the school board give the students in the elementary
grades the freedom of choice in that particular year -
that is your last year there - freedom of choice?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. At that time, March 1st, 1968, when they sent out these
requests for election of freedom of choice, how many
125.
pupils did you have at Wheatley Central?
A. Ninety.
Q. Now, Isn't it true that the return on these requests
for election under freedom of choice were due at the
end of March, by April 1st - isn't that correct?
A . That's right.
Q. Do you know how many elected to leave your school and
go to Wheatley Elementary?
A. Approximately I know, and I know why.
Q. Well, how many were there - I just asked you how many -
wasn't it sixty?
A. I don't know; the superintendent never did give me the
exact number.
Q. Wasn't it in the neighborhood of sixty?
A. I couldn't say, he said the majority.
Q. In fact, Mr. Jackson, enough of them elected to transfer
over to Wheatley Elementary so that it made it impract
ical for the school district to continue Wheatley
Central, did it not?
A. Not under the head -- because they couldn't get
them to improve the buildings. They had asked them
to improve the buildings for their children and
they didn't do it, and they said that when they
moved to complete integration that no staff member
would lose his job because of (continued on next page)
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126 .
i n t e g r a t i o n , t h e y s a i d we w i l l j u s t p u t i t a l l t o g e t h e r .
T h i s i s t h e o p i n i o n o f t h e f o l k s .
Q. Now, i t w a s t e s t i f i e d h e r e t h i s m o r n i n g b y M r . W h e e l e r ,
a n d y o u h e a r d h i s t e s t i m o n y , y o u w e r e i n t h e c o u r t r o o m ,
t h a t o n M a r c h 1 1 , 1 9 6 8 - a n d t h e m i n u t e s o f t h a t m e e t i n g
w e r e i n t r o d u c e d f o r r e c o r d h e r e - t h e s c h o o l b o a r d m e t ,
a n d o n M a r c h 1 1 t h b e f o r e t h e y h a d t h e r e s u l t s o f t h e
f r e e d o m o f c h o i c e , d e c i d e d t o r e h i r e c e r t a i n t e a c h e r s
a n d t e r m i n a t e d t h e c o n t r a c t s o f o t h e r t e a c h e r s , w h i c h
i n c l u d e d y o u , M r s . J a c k s o n a n d M r s . M e e k s . So i s n ' t
i t t r u e t h a t t h e s c h o o l b o a r d t o o k a c t i o n o n t e r m i n a t i o r ,
o f y o u r c o n t r a c t s p r i o r t o f i n d i n g o u t i t w a s n ' t g o i n g
t o b e p r a c t i c a l t o c o n t i n u e t h e o p e r a t i o n o f W h e a t l e y
C e n t r a l ?
MR. WALKER: Y o u r H o n o r , I t h i n k t h e r e c o r d s
s p e a k f o r t h e m s e l v e s .
Q. (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : Now, M r . J a c k s o n , d u r i n g
t h e t e n o r e l e v e n y e a r s I b e l i e v e y o u t e s t i f i e d y o u h a d
b e e n a t W h e a t l e y w o r k i n g i n t h e W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l - a b o u t
t e n o r e l e v e n y e a r s , i s t h a t r i g h t ?
A. E l e v e n y e a r s .
q . T h a t w a s u p t h r o u g h t h e e n d o f t h e s c h o o l y e a r 1 9 6 8 ?
A. T h a t ' s r i g h t .
q . it was introduced in the record here this morning,
m i n u t e s o f t h e s c h o o l b o a r d o f A p r i l 1 1 , 1 9 6 0 , i n w h i c h
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d s t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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127 .
it is recorded that several colored citizens met with
the board and voiced their complaints about L. R.
Jackson as principal of the colored school. Due
consideration was given to their complaints but no
action was taken, it was suggested that Mr. Steele
study the situation and do what he thought best for the
school. Were you at that meeting?
A. No, sir,
Q. Did you know about the meeting?
A . No, s i r.
Q. Now we h a v e a n o t h e r p l a i n t i f f s ' E x h i b i t 6 , M i n u t e s o f
t h e B o a r d M e e t i n g o f M a r c h 2 5 , 1 9 6 4 , t h a t h a s b e e n
i n t r o d u c e d i n t h i s r e c o r d , i n w h i c h i t s t a t e s t h a t
" P r o b l e m on h a n d a r e c o m p l a i n t s a g a i n s t M r . L . R.
J a c k s o n . " D i d y o u a t t e n d t h a t m e e t i n g ?
A. (Pause)
q . it is an addendum on the minutes of this meeting that
"Mr. Jackson cleared this matter to the satisfaction
of the board and the matter was dropped." Do you
recall this particular instance?
A. May I ask what was the matter?
q i don11 know, do you recall this particular instance?
A. No, sir.
MR. WALKER: I think there may be some problem
with the terminology used by the board and also the
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N I T E D STAT ES C O U R T REPOR TER
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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t e r m i n o l o g y u s e d b y M r . B u t l e r . T h e w o r d may n o t m e a n
t h e s a m e w h e n u s e d b y b o t h i n d i f f e r e n t c o n t e x t .
Q. (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : I am m e r e l y a s k i n g y o u ,
M r . J a c k s o n , i f y o u d i d a t t e n d t h e s e m e e t i n g s , o r i f
y o u k n e w a b o u t t h e s e c o m p l a i n t s . W e r e t h e y c a l l e d t o
y o u r a t t e n t i o n b y t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f s c h o o l s ?
A. No, s i r .
Q. B a c k a t t h a t t i m e ?
A. No, s i r .
Q. To y o u r k n o w l e d g e h a v e a n y o f t h e p a t r o n s o f t h e
s c h o o l d i s t r i c t m a de c o m p l a i n t s a b o u t y o u a n d t h e w ay
y o u h a v e o p e r a t e d a n d r u n t h e W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l S c h o o l ?
A. No, s i r .
Q. D u r i n g t h e y e a r s o f y o u r t e n u r e t h e r e ?
A. N o , s i r , t h e y h a v e n o t .
Q. Now y o u t e s t i f i e d y o u f i n a l l y g o t a n o t h e r j o b a f t e r
y o u r t e r m i n a t i o n a t W h e a t l e y i n t h e s p r i n g o f 1 9 6 8 ,
f i n a l l y g o t a n o t h e r j o b i n B r i n k l e y w h e r e y o u t e a c h .
Now, h o w f a r i s t h i s f r o m y o u r r e s i d e n c e ?
A. T h r e e b l o c k s .
Q. I b e l i e v e y o u a l s o t e s t i f i e d t h a t y o u r w i f e o b t a i n e d
a j o b i n F o r r e s t C i t y S p e c i a l S c h o o l D i s t r i c t # 7 ?
A. That's right.
Q. T e a c h i n g a t D e R o s s i t t E l e m e n t a r y S c h o o l . Now y o u m e an
t o s a y t h a t y o u d r i v e h e r o v e r a n d b a c k e v e r y d a y ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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1 2 9 .
A . That's right.
Q. When did she obtain her job?
h* Sometime in September, I don't remember the exact date.
Q. She did commence work when the school term began, did
she not, '68-69?
A. I think so, I am not definite.
Q. And she has been over there regularly since then, is
that correct?
A. That's right.
Q- Has she missed many days while she has been there?
A. She hadn't missed too many. Her mother was sick and
the doctor sent for her. I think she missed approxi
mately fourteen days.
Q. Did she miss many days when she was working under you
at Wheatley Central Elementary School?
A. No, sir, not but one time.
Q. Was she frequently tardy to class?
A. No, sir.
Q. Now you testified a few minutes ago about your opinion
of Mrs. Meeks and Mrs. Jackson, Mr. Coleman, those
working under you. Do you have a degree in school
administration, or a degree in supervision, that would
qualify you to be a supervisor or principal of teachers?
A. What is your question?
Q. Do you have a degree or certification that qualifies
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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130.
A.
Q.
A.
Q-
A.
Q-
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
you or indicates you are qualified to be something
other than a teacher, to be a supervisor, administrator
or principal, do you?
No, sir.
I believe you stated that Mrs. Meeks is your sister?
That's right.
And that she had a fire — she lived in Brinkley, also,
didn1t she?
That's right.
How far was her residence from the Wheatley Central
School?
I call it four miles - that's a rough guess now.
And you were five miles?
That's right. She lived on one side of the town and I
lived on the other.
Is she working in the Brinkley school system now?
Yes, sir.
How far is her home where she now lives from where she
now works?
I call it one mile.
In the city limits of Brinkley?
Yes.
When did Mrs. Meeks have this fire that destroyed her
residence?
I can't give you the exact date, but it was in the fall
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N I T E D STATES C O U R T REPOR TER
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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1 3 1 .
Q-
A.
Q-
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A.
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A.
Q
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A.
Q-
o f ' 6 6 , I t h i n k .
F a l l o f ' 6 6 . I n o t h e r w o r d s , i t w a s p r i o r t o t h e l a s t
y e a r t h a t s h e w o r k e d i n t h e W h e a t l e y s c h o o l s y s t e m .
Was s h e c o v e r e d b y i n s u r a n c e ?
S h e w a s b u y i n g t h e p r o p e r t y .
Was i t c o v e r e d b y i n s u r a n c e ?
Y e s , s i r .
D i d s h e r e b u i l d h e r h o u s e , b u i l d i t b a c k , o r b u y a n o t h e r
o n e ?
W e l l , t h e c i t y w o u l d n ' t l e t h e r b u i l d b a c k a t t h a t
t i m e , s o s h e h a d t o b u y a n o t h e r l o t a n d w a s g o i n g t o
b u i l d a h o u s e .
D i d s h e b u y a n o t h e r h o u s e w i t h t h e i n s u r a n c e m o n e y ?
N o , s i r , b e c a u s e t h e w a y s h e w a s b u y i n g , t h a t i n s u r a n c e
w a s j u s t t o c o v e r t h e p a y m e n t o f t h a t o n e .
I n o t h e r w o r d s , i t p u t h e r o u t o f d e b t t h e r e , i s t h a t
r i g h t ?
T h a t ' s r i g h t o n t h e h o u s e .
On t h a t h o u s e ?
T h a t ' s r i g h t .
Now, d i d y o u k n o w a b o u t h e r i n d e b t e d n e s s a n d t h e v a r i o u s
c o m p l a i n t s t h a t w e r e b e i n g m a d e t o t h e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t
a n d t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t a b o u t v a r i o u s d e b t s a n d o b l i g a
t i o n s t h a t s h e ow ed c r e d i t o r s , w o r r y i n g t h e m t o d e a t h
a l l t h e t i m e , y o u k n o w a b o u t t h a t ?
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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132.
Q. Did you know about your wife ordering items from school
supply companies that the district dealt with for her
own personal use and charging them to the district?
A. That never happened.
Q. And you are sure about that?
A. That's right, because I carried her over there.
Q. You carried what over?
A. I carried my wife. She bought materials from the
School Products Company --
Q. But did she buy materials from --
MR. WALKER: Your Honor, he had started
finishing his answer, I think he should be given the
privilege of doing so.
Q. (MR.BUTLER, continuing): Go ahead.
A. She bought materials from the School Products Company
which were charged to her with the understanding that
she was working for the Wheatley Central School. That
material was used at school.
Q. But it was charged to the Wheatley School District
wasn1t it?
A. No, sir, it was not.
Q. You know that as a matter of fact?
A. I know that.
q . Did she purchase anything from suppliers of the Wheatle\
School District and charge to the district without the
J O A N F . L I N E S
U n i t e o S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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133 .
district superintendent or board's authorization?
A. No, sir, she did not.
Q. While Mrs. Meeks was working under you, did you recall
Mr. Frankie Hemingway coming down to the school on
numerous occasions trying to get her to pay the indebtec
ness she owed him?
A. Mr. Frank Hemingway never been down.
Q. I mean Mrs. Meeks?
A. I understand who you are talking about.
Q. Did you know about the indebtedness which she owed the
Dixie Furniture company from time to time?
A. Yes, sir, I know about that.
Q. They were after her trying to get her to pay all the
time, you remember that?
A. If that's what they say.
Q. Did you know they bothered the school board about it
and wanted to hold out the funds?
A. Nobody ever told me that.
Q. Did you know about a bill at the Forrest View Clinic
over at Forrest City?
MR. WALKER: Your Honor, may I suggest that
Mr. Butler is asking questions which are not necessarily
related to facts. He is just asking questions, and I
don't want it implied that we are conceding there is
any truth to what he has stated.
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N I T E D S T AT ES C O U R T REPOR TER
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134.
THE COURT: It is a proper question. You may
proceed.
Q. (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : D i d y o u k n o w a b o u t a f i n a n c e
c o m p a n y g a r n i s h i n g h e r w a g e s a n d a c t u a l l y t h e s c h o o l
b o a r d a c k n o w l e d g i n g t h a t g a r n i s h m e n t f o r a b o u t tw o
m o n t h s s a l a r y ?
A. Who was that?
Q. M r s . M e e k s .
A . No.
Q. D i d n ' t k n o w a b o u t t h a t ?
A. No.
Q. None of the superintendents or anybody connected with
the school system ever talked to you about the debt
situation of Mrs. Meeks and your wife?
A. Mr. Richardson mentioned it one time.
Q. How much is your take-home pay in your present job per
week, or per month, or however you are paid?
A . T h e b i g g e s t I h a v e h a d i s $ 2 5 0 . 0 0 .
Q. The biggest y o u have had is $ 2 5 0 . 0 0 ?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Take-home pay?
A. Right.
Q. When y o u w e r e i n t h e W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l S c h o o l i n 1 9 6 7 - 6 8
w h a t w a s y o u r m o n t h l y t a k e - h o m e p a y ?
A. $ 4 5 7 . 1 9 .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
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135.
Q. $ 4 5 7 . 1 9 ?
A . T h a t m i g h t h a v e b e e n 1 3 , I am n o t t o o p o s i t i v e a b o u t
t h o s e c e n t s t h e r e .
Q. You a r e p o s i t i v e a b o u t t h e b i g f i g u r e ?
A. Y e s .
Q. D o e s t h a t i n c l u d e d e d u c t i o n s f o r i n c o m e t a x a n d e v e r y
t h i n g e l s e t h a t c a m e o u t b e f o r e y o u g o t y o u r c h e c k ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. Now, i n 1 9 6 7 - 6 8 d i d y o u g i v e a n y t e s t s t o t h e c h i l d r e n
t h a t y o u w e r e t e a c h i n g i n W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l ?
A. N o , s i r . T h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t s e n t o n e o f h i s t e a c h e r s
down t o g i v e s o m e .
Q. And y o u d i d n ' t a c t u a l l y g i v e t h e t e s t s y o u r s e l f ?
A. No, s i r .
q . B u t t e s t s w e r e m a d e o n t h e c h i l d r e n i n y o u r c l a s s e s ,
i n M r s . M e e k s ' c l a s s e s , a n d a l l o f t h e o t h e r t e a c h e r s
t h e r e i n W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l d u r i n g 1 9 6 7 - 6 8 , i s t h a t t r u e ?
A. No, s i r , n o t l i k e t h a t .
q . How w e r e t h e y m a d e ?
A. T h e t e s t s w e r e g i v e n t h i r d , f o u r t h a n d f i f t h . T h e
c o u n s e l o r cam e down o n e m o r n i n g a n d s a i d , "We a r e g o i n g
t o g i v e a t e s t . " He w a l k e d i n w i t h i t a n d a s k e d me t o
p u t t h e c h i l d r e n i n t o t h e a u d i t o r i u m a n d I d i d . He
t a l k e d w i t h t h e m a f e w m i n u t e s a n d s t a r t e d g i v i n g t h e m
t h e t e s t s .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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136 ,
Q. Now who taught the third grade during '67-68?
A. Mrs. Jackson.
Q- Your wife?
A. Yes, sir.
Q- Who taught the fourth grade?
A. Mr. Coleman.
Q- And what grade did you teach?
A. Fifth.
Q. And were you present when these tests were given?
A. Yes, sir.
Q- The records I have here indicate they were given
April 19, 1968, is that about right, the spring of the
year?
A. Somewhere like that.
Q. But you did not supervise the tests?
A. I was in there.
Q. You were there while they were giving them and present
when they gave them?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. What did these tests show in regard to the children in
these particular grades? Were they below average or
above?
A. When they got through the counselor, Mr. -- what was
his name -- anyhow, he gathered up the tests and left
with them and that is the last I know of them.
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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1 3 7 .
Q . You d o n ' t k n o w how t h e y t a l l i e d o u t ?
A . No, s i r .
Q. Now, M r . J a k c s o n , y o u w e r e n o t i f i e d a p p a r e n t l y s o m e t i m e
p r i o r t o A p r i l 29 t h a t a l l y o u r c o n t r a c t s w o u l d b e
t e r m i n a t e d , i s t h a t r i g h t , A p r i l 2 9 , 1 9 6 8 , i s n ' t t h a t
c o r r e c t ?
A . S o m e w h e r e a l o n g t h e r e , I w o u l d n ' t s a y t h a t w a s a
d e f i n i t e d a t e .
Q. T h e r e c o r d s s h o w t h a t y o u d i d c o m e b e f o r e t h e b o a r d o n
A p r i l 2 9 t h ?
A . T h a t ' s r i g h t .
Q. S i n c e t h a t t i m e h a v e y o u , o r M r s . M e e k s , o r y o u r w i f e ,
M r s . J a c k s o n , o r M r . C o l e m a n , t o y o u r k n o w l e d g e , m a de
f o r m a l a p p l i c a t i o n t o b e r e h i r e d b y t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l
D i s t r i c t ?
A . N o t a f t e r t h e y p r o m i s e d u s t h a t n i g h t t h a t i f t h e y
n e e d e d a n y b o d y we w o u l d b e c o n s i d e r e d . I d i d n ' t s e e
a n y u s e i n m a k i n g n o n e .
Q. B u t y o u d i d n ' t m a ke o r f i l e a n a p p l i c a t i o n . i s n ' t t h a t
t h e p r o c e d u r e t h a t i s f o l l o w e d t h o u g h t o b e h i r e d i n t h e
s c h o o l s y s t e m , y o u h a v e t o f i l e a n a p p l i c a t i o n ?
A. N o t w h e r e y o u a r e a l r e a d y e m p l o y e d .
Q. You w e r e n o l o n g e r e m p l o y e d ?
A . I h a v e n ' t f i l e d f o r t h e e l e v e n y e a r s t h a t I h a v e b e e n
t h e r e . T h e o n l y o n e I f i l e d w a s t h e f i r s t y e a r I w e n t
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N I T E D STAT ES C O U R T REPOR TER
F e d e r a l b u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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there.
Q. You testified a few minutes ago about going all over
Arkansas looking for a job. Didn't you have to file a
formal application with references at all these places?
A. Yes, sir, I had to, but I didn't at all of those for
the reason as late as it was I would check a place,
they would have already employed their staff for the
year, and they had no vacancies so it was no use in
filing an application, I found that out.
Q. Did you go to all these places by automobile?
A. Yes, sir, and then some.
q . Or did you have correspondence, before you went?
A. I actually went.
q . In other words, you took it upon yourself to go see
them even before formally applying, is that correct?
A. That's right.
Q. Did you file a formal application at any of these
places ?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Where?
A. I have filed with Mr. Irving, back there, he's got one
in his office.
Q. Can you say how many others were there?
j would have to go check my list. I have one in Little
Rock, the Little Rock school system. One in the Pulaski
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N I T E D STATES C O U R T REPOR TER
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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County School System, and one in Marianna, one in Helen;
I would have to check these, I have a lot of them
filed.
Q. What is the trouble, had no openings for you?
A. They had no openings.
Q. When did you start trying to get a job at one of these
other places, when did you commence?
A. After we had the meeting.
Q. On A p r i l 2 9 t h ?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. You began at that time?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Mrs. Jackson did not have any trouble getting a place,
did she?
A. Oh, yes, yes, sir, she had trouble too. She had filed
several applications.
Q. But s h e did s t a r t to work a t t h e b e g i n n i n g of t h e school
y e a r 1 9 6 8 - 6 9 ?
A. Yes, sir.
q . Now about Mr. Coleman, who was working with you and
under you there, what type of degree did he have?
A. Mr. Coleman has a BS degree. Theology.
q . Theology?
A. Theology.
Q. What type of teacher's certificate did he have?
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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140.
A. He w a s c e r t i f i e d a s a n e l e m e n t a r y t e a c h e r i n A r k a n s a s .
He a l s o h a d c e r t i f i c a t i o n i n a u t o m e c h a n i c s .
q . W a s n ' t h e f a c i n g , t h o u g h , h a v i n g t o d o a d d i t i o n a l w o r k
i n o r d e r t o c o n t i n u e a s a n e l e m e n t a r y t e a c h e r a t t h e
e n d o f t h e s c h o o l y e a r 1 9 6 7 - 6 8 ?
A . I don't t h i n k s o .
Q. Do you know?
A. N o , I d o n ' t . B u t I d o n ' t t h i n k s o . I k n o w h e d i d h a v e
a v a l i d c e r t i f i c a t e .
MR. BUTLER: I b e l i e v e t h a t i s a l l .
REDIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. WALKER:
Q. You a r e r e a s o n a b l y c e r t a i n t h a t t h e t e s t s t h a t w e r e
r e f e r r e d t o w e r e a d m i n i s t e r e d o n o r a b o u t A p r i l 1 8 ,
1 9 6 8 ?
A.
Q-
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
Somewhere along there.
Do you know what the names of those tests were? Could
it have been Stanford-Binet?
I think it was California.
California Mental Maturity?
Yes.
Do you know what the California Mental Maturity tests,
or whatever other test there was, purported to measure?
No, I don't.
Did the counselor explain to you what it purported to
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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141.
A.
Q.
A.
Q-
A.
Q-
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
measure?
No, sir.
What was the race of the counselor?
White.
What was the race of the persons who graded those tests
do you know?
I don't know anybody ever graded them, I didn't hear
that. Once he gave them and he left, and I haven't
seen or heard of them.
Do you know whether all the pupils were tested in the
same place? Or were they tested in individual class
rooms?
A. All at the same place.
Q. All in the same place?
A. Yes.
Q. In other words, there was just one big room?
A. That's right.
Q. Do you know anything about testing , Mr. Jackson?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Is this a desirable manner in which to administer
test, according to your information?
No, sir.
Are you familiar with the concept of testing readiness?
Yes, sir.
That I think, would you agree, deals with a matter of
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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g e t t i n g s t u d e n t s p r e p a r e d p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y a n d
e m o t i o n a l l y t o t a k e t h e t e s t ?
A . T h a t ' s r i g h t .
Q. W h a t r e a d i n e s s p r e p a r a t i o n w a s u n d e r t a k e n b y t h e
c o u n s e l o r b e f o r e h e p r e p a r e d t h e t e s t o t h e r t h a n t o
g i v e t h e s t u d e n t s a n e x p l a n a t i o n a s t o how t o t a k e a
t e s t ?
A . N o t a n y . O n l y a b o u t t h r e e m i n u t e s t a l k b e f o r e we
b e g a n t h e t e s t s .
Q. T h e s e t e s t s w e r e a d m i n i s t e r e d o n o r a b o u t A p r i l 1 8 , 1 9 6 8
M r . J a c k s o n ?
A. Y e s .
Q. I u n d e r s t a n d t h a t y o u a n d M r s . M e e k s a n d M r s . J a c k s o n
- a t l e a s t t h e d e c i s i o n w a s m a d e a n d s e c o n d e d t o
r e l e a s e y o u a n d M r s . M e e k s a n d M r s . J a c k s o n o n M a r c h 11 ,
1 9 6 8 , a t l e a s t a m o n t h o r s o b e f o r e t h e t e s t s w e r e
g i v e n , i s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A. From your records.
MR. WALKER: T h a n k y o u .
RECROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR. BUTLER:
q Mr. Jackson, do you recall the tests in September, 1 9 6 7 ,
called the California Achievement Test Elementary?
Do you recall a counselor coming over and giving some
tests on September 2 0 , 1 9 6 7 ? I n fact, they gave these
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
142 »
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1 4 3 .
t e s t s a b o u t o n c e a y e a r , d i d t h e y n o t ?
A . I d o n ' t r e m e m b e r g i v i n g t h e m b u t o n c e . I m i g h t h a v e
o v e r l o o k e d i t . As I r e c a l l o n l y o n e y e a r t h e y h a d a
c o u n s e l o r .
Q. J u s t o n e y e a r . You d o n ' t r e c a l l t h e C a l i f o r n i a
A c h i e v e m e n t T e s t i n 1 9 6 7 ?
A. I am n o t t h i n k i n g r i g h t n o w . I m i g h t h a v e .
MR. BUTLER: I b e l i e v e t h a t i s a l l .
MR. WALKER: No m o r e q u e s t i o n s .
EXAMINATION BY THE COURT
Q. Mr. Jackson, you testified that you are working in
Binkley?
A. Yes, sir.
q . Are you in the teaching business there?
A. Yes, sir, basic adult education.
Q. What?
A. Basic adult education.
Q. You are not in elementary?
A. No, s i r . T h a t ' s e l e m e n t a r y , b u t i t i s a d u l t s i n s t e a d
o f c h i l d r e n . You u n d e r s t a n d me now ? i n o t h e r w o r d s ,
w h a t I am t e a c h i n g , J u d g e , i s f r o m t h e e i g h t h g r a d e
b a c k . F r o m t h e 1 s t g r a d e t o t h e e i g h t h , l e t me s a y i t
l i k e t h a t .
Q. To adults?
A. To a d u l t s a n d n o t c h i l d r e n .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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144 .
Q. But you are teaching elementary?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. T h a t i s 1 s t g r a d e t o t h e e i g h t h g r a d e ?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. D i d I u n d e r s t a n d y o u r s a l a r y w a s $ 3 0 0 . 0 0 a m o n t h ?
A. Y e s , s i r , i f we d o n ' t m i s s a n y d a y s . We d o n ' t g e t a n y
p a y f o r t h e d a y s we m i s s . And t h a t i s a l l b e f o r e t h e
t a x c o m e s c u t .
Q. You s t i l l g e t $ 3 0 0 . 0 0 a m o n t h b a s e d o n y o u r c o n t r a c t ?
A. Yes.
Q. I t i s n o t c l e a r t o me a b o u t M r s . M e e k s , y o u r s i s t e r .
When y o u m e n t i o n e d i t a m o m e n t a g o y o u s a i d y o u a n d
M r s . M e e k s w e r e t e a c h i n g i n B r i n k l e y . S h e i s t e a c h i n g
t h e r e a t B r i n k l e y , t o o ?
A. Yes, sir, on the same job.
Q. What is her salary?
A. The same thing.
Q. I n o t h e r w o r d s , s h e g e t s $ 3 0 0 . 0 0 a m o n t h o n t h e c o n t r a c t
a n d y o u g e t a b o u t $ 3 0 0 . 0 0 ?
A. That's right.
Q. I wanted to clear that up.
THE COURT: A n y t h i n g f u r t h e r , G e n t l e m e n ? You
m ay b e e x c u s e d .
WHEREUPON,
MARVIN E . COLEMAN, a p l a i n t i f f i n t h e c a s e , w a s c a l l e d
J O A N F. L i N E S
U N I T E D STATES C O U R T REPOR TER
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
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o n b e h a l f o f t h e P l a i n t i f f s , b e i n g d u l y s w o r n , t e s t i f i e d
a s f o l l o w s :
DIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. WALKER:
Q. W o u l d y o u s t a t e y o u r n a m e , a n d y o u r p r e s e n t o c c u p a t i o n
a n d y o u r a d d r e s s , p l e a s e ?
A . M a r v i n E d w a r d C o l e m a n , 3 1 3 E a s t c e n t e r , B r i n k l e y . I am
a l s o l i v i n g i n L i t t l e R o c k , a n d w o r k i n g t h e r e . And I
am t e a c h i n g a s s i s t a n t .
Q. A t w h a t i n s t i t u t i o n o r p l a c e o f l e a r n i n g a r e y o u t e a c h
i n g o r a s s i s t i n g ?
A . A r k a n s a s E n t e r p r i s e s f o r t h e B l i n d i n L i t t l e R o c k .
Q. What is your monthly salary there?
A. $ 3 5 0 . 0 0 .
Q. Per month before taxes?
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q. I s t h a t a c o n t r a c t f o r $ 4 , 2 0 0 . 0 0 p e r y e a r ?
A. Right.
Q. W h a t w a s y o u r s a l a r y a t W h e a t l e y d u r i n g t h e 1 9 6 7 - 6 8
s c h o o l y e a r ?
A. $ 4 , 8 0 0 . 0 0 .
Q. $ 4 , 8 0 0 . 0 0 .
A. Right, sir.
Q. Do you have any expenses now that you would not have
h a d , h a d y o u b e e n c o n t i n u a l l y e m p l o y e d b y t h e W h e a t l e y
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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School District, and if so, would you enumerate them,
please?
A. I have plenty of them. I have to pay as much on room
rent as I pay on my house, my home in Brinkley, per
month, and my transportation. I have to come home
every week to see about my mail. i think that is
sufficient. I hope you understand me, Mr. Walker, I
tend to stutter sometimes. Can you understand me?
Q. Yes, I can understand you. Now, Mr. Coleman, you need
not be nervous. Would you mind stating whether you
sought employment at a number of places before you
finally obtained employment at the Arkansas Enterprises
for the Blind?
A. I did, sir. Shall I name them?
Q. Would you name some of them?
A. The Arkansas Employment Security offices in Brinkley,
Forrect City. I would like to say I went to Forrest
City nearly every other day. Little Rock and the state
agencies. The Arkansas Merit System, The Arkansas
Personnel, Arkansas Training Schools, all these were in
Little Rock. The district public schools in Moro,
Aubrey, Marianna, and federal agencies; and the counties
St. Francis, Osceola, Woodruff County, Lee, over there,
Phillips County, Monroe County, and the Ozarks Develop
ments is a big program. That is all I can think of
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N I T E D STATES C O U R T RE P OR TER
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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147 .
right now.
Q- Did you have to expend large sums of money getting to
and from these places?
A. Yes, sir, quite a bit.
Q. What is your education, sir?
A. I have a Bachelor of Theology with teachers training,
and five hours of graduate work.
Q. Would you tell the Court how you obtained your college
education, please?
A. Well, I did it while I was in the military service.
In fact I went in for that purpose.
Q. Would you mind telling us what institutions you receivec
credit in, and how much you received where, and the
emphasis to the number of hours you have in education?
A. I have seventeen and I am working on a one-hour course
now. I will have my requirement when I get it completes.
And I attended some - for example, Brigham Young
University, State University of Iowa, University of
Washington, and wherever I was on duty.
Q. You were in the military services?
A. Six and a half years.
Q. Were you certified by the State Department of Education
as an elementary school teacher?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. What kind of certificate did you have?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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148.
Q. What is meant by a five-year certificate?
A . I t w a s t o b e r e n e w e d a f t e r f i v e y e a r s .
Q. Now was there some requirement that you were to meet
in order to be eligible for a six-year certificate?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. What was that requirement?
A. I would have to do twelve semester hours of graduate
work.
Q. Additional educational work?
A. It won't have to be in education since I took teacher's
training, I have the hours in education.
Q. Do you have a Bachelor's Degree in the hours of
education?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. C o u l d y o u h a v e t a k e n t h o s e t w e l v e a d d i t i o n a l h o u r s
d u r i n g t h e su m m e r o f 1 9 6 8 ?
A. Yes, sir, I could have, although I wouldn't prefer to,
to doing that many in one summer, I would like to do it
in two summers.
Q. But you could have done it, if necessary?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Did you ever state this to Mr. Richardson?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Did Mr. Richardson ever tell you that -- ever give you
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
A. I have a five-year certificate.
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1 4 9 .
any reason as to why you were being terminated from the
school system?
A. Not definitely, no, sir.
Q. Do you recall what Mr. Richardson stated to you about
your termination?
A . He said that the board agreed not to rehire me.
Q. Did he state a reason?
A. No, sir.
MR. WALKER: No more questions.
CROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. Mr. Coleman, when did you first begin teaching in
Wheatley Central Elementary School?
A . 1 9 5 6 , I b e l i e v e , s i r .
Q. At that time I believe you stated you had a degree in
Theology?
A. No, sir, not at that time.
Q. Not at that time?
A. No, sir.
Q. When did you get that degree in Theology?
A. 1 9 6 1 .
Q. Where did you obtain it?
A. Burgen College and Seminary in Colorado.
Q. Did you also, when you were in Colorado, undertake
some courses in automechanics?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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1 5 0 .
this was in Colorado, or not.
Q. Do you have the certificate that was issued to you from
the State of Colorado?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Have you got that with you here today?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Would you mind letting me see that please?
A. Not at all. (Handing to Mr. Butler.)
Q. This certificate indicates that the State of Colorado
issued you a Vocational Teacher's Certificate, September
7 , 1 9 6 2 , in automechanics?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. And that is correct?
A. Yes, sir, that is correct.
q . Now w e r e y o u a w a y f r o m W h e a t l e y c e n t r a l E l e m e n t a r y
S c h o o l f o r a w h i l e b e t w e e n 1 9 5 6 a n d 1 9 6 2 ?
A. Yes, sir, three years.
Q. When did you come back?
A . I t h i n k i t w a s 1963 w h e n I b e g a n w o r k i n g a g a i n t h e r e .
Q. Now at that time you had the ninety-hour elementary
permit from the State of Arkansas, issued on May 1 3 ,
1 9 6 3 , t o e x p i r e May 1 3 , 1 9 6 8 , i s t h a t t r u e ?
A. That is right, sir.
q . x hand you this and you check and see if that is correct,
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
A. Yes, sir, somewhere I took some, I don't know whether
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151.
I w a n t t o m a k e i t a n e x h i b i t t o y o u r t e s t i m o n y ,
A. T h a t i s c o r r e c t , s i r ,
Q- I a l s o h a v e h e r e a p h o t o c o p y o f a n e m e r g e n c y n i n e t y -
h o u r e l e m e n t a r y p e r m i t , t h a t w a s i s s u e d t o y o u o n
May 2 , 1 9 6 8 , t o e x p i r e A u g u s t 3 1 , 1 9 6 8 , b y t h e S t a t e
D e p a r t m e n t o f E d u c a t i o n o f A r k a n s a s , w h i c h s h o w s o n i t
d e f i c i e n c i e s o f s i x s e m e s t e r h o u r s , a n d y o u n e e d s o m e
n e w c r e d i t s , a n d t h e y o n l y i s s u e d y o u a p e r m i t f o r o n e
y e a r . Why j u s t f o r o n e y e a r ?
MR. WALKER: Y o u r H o n o r , I t h i n k t h a t M r . B u t l e i
m a t h e m a t i c s i s a l i t t l e o f f . I t h i n k i t i s l e s s t h a n
o n e y e a r .
Q. (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : I t i s l e s s t h a n o n e y e a r ,
t h a t i s t r u e . B u t w hy f o r j u s t o n e y e a r , o r l e s s t h a n
o n e y e a r ?
A . T h e s c h o o l t e r m d i d n o t e x p i r e u n t i l a b o u t t h e 2 5 t h a n d
my c e r t i f i c a t e w a s e x p i r i n g o n t h e 1 3 t h a n d t h e y c o u l d
n o t p a y me l e g a l l y , t h a t i s w h y .
Q. C o u l d n ' t t h e y h a v e g i v e n y o u a n o t h e r f i v e - y e a r p e r m i t
i f y o u h a d b e e n q u a l i f i e d f o r i t ?
A . I h a d t o g o t o s c h o o l .
Q. T h a t i s n o t w h a t I am s a y i n g . I f y o u w e r e a l r e a d y
q u a l i f i e d y o u w o u l d h a v e b e e n e n t i t l e d o n May 2 , 1 9 6 8 ,
t o a n o t h e r f i v e - y e a r p e r m i t ?
A . Oh, I am s o r r y , s i r . T h e t e r m f i v e y e a r h a s b e e n
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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c h a n g e d t o n i n e t y h o u r s , i t i s n o t t h e s a m e t h i n g , I
u s e t h e o l d t e r m s o m e t i m e s .
Q. W h a t d o e s t h i s o n y o u r p e r m i t i s s u e d May 2 , 1 9 5 8 ,
r e g a r d i n g s i x s e m e s t e r h o u r d e f i c i e n c i e s , d u e c r e d i t ,
w h a t d o e s t h a t m e a n ?
A . T h a t m e a n s I h a d t o g o t o s c h o o l t h a t s u m m e r .
Q. And you didn't go to school last summer did you?
A . W e l l , y e s , s i r .
Q. D i d y o u g o t o s c h o o l d u r i n g t h e s u m m e r o f 1 9 6 8 ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q. Did you get that six semester hours?
A. I h a v e a n o t h e r c e r t i f i c a t e , y e s , s i r .
Q. When did you get the other certificate?
A. Let me see, let me tell you the truth about it. The
lady in the Department of Education knew how the board
was doing me and she renewed my certificate.
q . At t h e t i m e y o u w e r e n o t i f i e d b y t h e b o a r d a t W h e a t l e y
i n M a r c h o r A p r i l , 1 9 6 8 , t h a t t h e y w o u l d t e r m i n a t e y o u r
c o n t r a c t b e c a u s e o f t h e u n c e r t a i n t y o f w h e t h e r y o u c o u l c
b e c e r t i f i e d , y o u w e r e n ' t c e r t i f i e d a t t h a t t i m e , a n d
y o u s t i l l h a d t h i s w o r k t o m a k e u p , i s n ' t t h a t t r u e ?
A. No, sir, I have been certified a l l the time.
Q. But didn't you stand not being recertified if you
d i d n ' t d o t h i s w o r k i n t h e s u m m e r o f 1 9 6 8 , t a k e t h e
s i x h o u r s c r e d i t ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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153.
Q.
A.
A.
That was what I was trying to get you to say. May I
make these two certificates, copies of them, exhibits
to your testimony?
Yes, sir.
MR. WALKER: No objections.
THE COURT: Let them be received.
(WHEREUPON, D e f e n d a n t s ' E x h i b i t
N o . 3 a n d N o . 4 w e r e m a r k e d f o r
i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , r e c e i v e d i n e v i d e n c e ,
a n d m a d e a p a r t o f t h e r e c o r d h e r e o f . )
Yes, sir.
MR. BUTLER: I b e l i e v e t h a t i s a l l .
REDIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. WALKER:
A.
Q.
A.
Q-
A.
Q.
Were you ever given any notice to the effect before
you were terminated that you had these deficiencies and
that you would not be issued a contract because you did
have those deficiencies?
No, no, no, no, sir.
They never gave you an opportunity before you were
terminated to explain the deficiencies and take steps
to correct them?
They never mentioned the deficiencies.
They never mentioned them?
No, sir.
Did you converse with Mr. Richardson about your work as
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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154.
a t e a c h e r o n a n y o c c a s i o n ?
o h ' y e s , s i r . I t o l d h i m a b o u t my p l a n t o a t t e n d
H a r d i n g C o l l e g e .
Q. T e l l t h e J u d g e a b o u t y o u r p l a n t o a t t e n d H a r d i n g C o l l e g e
w o u l d y o u , p l e a s e ?
A. H a r d i n g h a d a c c e p t e d a l l t h e w o r k t h a t I d i d w h i l e I
I
w a s i n m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e a n d h a d a d m i t t e d me t o t h e
g r a d u a t e s c h o o l .
Q. W h a t w a s t h e r e a s o n y o u d i d n ' t g o t o H a r d i n g C o l l e g e
l a s t s u m m e r ?
A. I w e n t s u m m e r b e f o r e l a s t .
Q. W e l l , w h a t a b o u t l a s t s u m m e r?
A. A f t e r I d i d n ' t h a v e a j o b i c o u l d n ' t s p a r e t h e m o n e y .
I h a d t o k e e p my m o n e y , y o u k n o w , t o l i v e o n .
MR. WALKER: T h a n k y o u .
EXAMINATION BY THE COURT
Q. A r e y o u d o i n g t e a c h i n g w o r k f o r t h e A r k a n s a s E n t e r p r i s e s
f o r t h e B l i n d ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. I s t h a t t h e k i n d o f e d u c a t i o n a l s e r v i c e t h a t r e q u i r e s
a c e r t i f i c a t e f r o m t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f e d u c a t i o n a s t h o u g t
y o u w e r e t e a c h i n g i n t h e p u b l i c s c h o o l s ?
A. No, s i r , a l l t h i s a g e n c y r e q u i r e s i s y o u r t r a n s c r i p t .
T h e y h a v e my t r a n s c r i p t o n f i l e .
THE COURT: V e r y w e l l , y o u may b e e x c u s e d .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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155.
MR.WALKER: We h a v e n o m o r e w i t n e s s e s .
MR. BUTLER: Y o u r H o n o r , I w o u l d l i k e t o c a l l
M r s . J a c k s o n .
WHEREUPON,
MRS. M ITTIE JACKSON, a p l a i n t i f f i n t h e c a s e , w a s c a l l e d
o n b e h a l f o f t h e D e f e n d a n t s , b e i n g d u l y s w o r n , t e s t i f i e d
a s f o l l o w s :
DIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. M r s . J a c k s o n , w h e r e d i d y o u g e t o r o b t a i n e m p l o y m e n t i n
s c h o o l t e a c h i n g f o r t h e s c h o o l y e a r 1 9 6 8 - 6 9 ?
A. I n t h e F o r r e c t C i t y D i s t r i c t .
Q. T e a c h i n g a t w h a t s c h o o l s ?
A . A t t h e D e r o s s i t t E l e m e n t a r y s c h o o l .
Q . When d i d y o u c o m m e n c e y o u r d u t i e s t h e r e ?
A. B a c k a t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e s c h o o l t e r m s o m e w h e r e i n
t h e l a t t e r p a r t o f A u g u s t . I am n o t t o o s u r e o f t h e
d a t e .
q . Do y o u r e c a l l w h e n y o u s i g n e d y o u r c o n t r a c t w i t h t h e
F o r r e s t C i t y S p e c i a l S c h o o l D i s t r i c t N o . 7?
A. N o t e x a c t l y t h e d a t e , b u t i t w a s s o m e t i m e i n t h e e a r l y
p a r t o f t h e s c h o o l t e r m .
Q. D i d y o u c o m m e n c e t e a c h i n g t h e r e t h e f i r s t d a y o f s c h o o l ?
A. Y e s , s i r , I d i d .
Q. And y o u a r e s t i l l t e a c h i n g t h e r e n o w ?
J O A N F . L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l o i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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Q. How m u c h w e r e y o u e a r n i n g w h e n y o u w o r k e d l a s t y e a r
t h a t y o u t a u g h t a t W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l E l e m e n t a r y S c h o o l ?
A. $ 5 , 5 0 0 . 0 0 f o r t e n m o n t h s .
Q. W h a t d i d t h a t a m o u n t t o i n t a k e - h o m e p a y a m o n t h ?
A. I am n o t t o o s u r e , b u t my m o n t h l y t a k e - h o m e p a y w a s
a r o u n d f o u r s o m e t h i n g , e x a c t l y I am n o t t o o s u r e , I
j u s t d o n ' t r e m e m b e r r i g h t n o w .
Q. D i d y o u a n d D r . J a c k s o n f i l e a j o i n t i n c o m e t a x r e t u r n ?
A . Y e s , s i r . And I c o u l d g e t t h a t i n f o r m a t i o n f o r t h e
r e c o r d s f r o m t h e i n c o m e t a x , b u t r i g h t now I d o n ' t h a v e
i t .
Q . I n y o u r c o n t r a c t w i t h t h e F o r r e s t C i t y S p e c i a l S c h o o l
D i s t r i c t N o . 7 w h a t i s y o u r c o m p e n s a t i o n ?
A. I b e l i e v e i t i s $ 5 , 4 0 0 . 0 0 . T h e r e i s a c l a u s e som e
p l a c e a b o u t n e w m o n e y o f a b o u t $ 2 0 0 . 0 0 ; I am n o t t o o
s u r e o n t h a t r i g h t n o w , b u t a n y w a y t h a t i s - -
Q . When we t o o k y o u r d i s c o v e r y d e p o s i t i o n o n F e b r u a r y 2 8 ,
1 9 6 9 , w h a t d i d y o u t e s t i f y a t t h a t t i m e w a s y o u r s a l a r y
a t F o r r e s t C i t y S p e c i a l S c h o o l D i s t r i c t N o . 7?
MR. WALKER: I f h e h a s som e i n f o r m a t i o n on i t ,
I s u g g e s t h e r e f e r i t t o h e r . T h e d e p o s i t i o n s p e a k s
f o r i t s e l f .
Q. [MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : I a s k e d y o u t h e q u e s t i o n ,
" W h a t i s y o u r p a y p r i o r t o d e d u c t i o n s ? " And y o u r a n s w e r
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
A. Yes, sir.
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w a s , " $ 4 0 0 . 0 0 i s my t a k e h o m e p a y . " I s t h a t a b o u t
c o r r e c t , t h a t y o u r t a k e home p a y w a s $ 4 0 0 . 0 0 ?
A . I b e l i e v e I s t a t e d s o m e w h e r e a r o u n d $ 4 0 0 . 0 0 — I t h i n k
t h i s w a s — I d o n ' t k n o w , I t h i n k i t w a s l e s s som e t i m e s
MRoWALKER: May I a s k w h a t p a g e y o u a r e r e a d i n g
f r o m n o w .
THE COURT: Now l e t M r . B u t l e r p r o c e e d w i t h h i s
e x a m i n a t i o n .
MR. BUTLER: I w a s r e a d i n g f r o m p a g e n u m b e r 9 .
A . S h a l l I g o o n now ?
Q. (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : W h a t i s y o u r t a k e - h o m e p a y a t
F o r r e s t C i t y ?
A . I b e l i e v e i t i s $ 3 0 0 . 0 0 a n d s o m e t h i n g , a r o u n d $ 4 0 0 . 0 0 ,
b u t i t i s a l i t t l e l e s s t h a n $ 4 0 0 . 0 0 , I am n o t t o o s u r e .
Q. A r e y o u p a i d o n a d i f f e r e n t b a s i s a t F o r r e s t . C i t y
S c h o o l D i s t r i c t N o . 7 , t h a n y o u w e r e a t W h e a t l e y ?
A . W o u l d y o u s t a t e y o u r q u e s t i o n a g a i n , p l e a s e ?
Q. A r e y o u p a i d on a d i f f e r e n t b a s i s ? I n o t h e r w o r d s ,
i s y o u r a n n u a l p a y s p r e a d o v e r m o r e m o n t h s i n t h e
F o r r e s t C i t y S p e c i a l S c h o o l D i s t r i c t N o . 7 , t h a n i t
w a s a t W h e a t l e y ?
A. Y e s , s i r , i t ' s o v e r a p e r i o d o f e l e v e n m o n t h s .
Q. I s n ' t i t t r u e t h a t y o u r m o n t h l y p a y m e n t s b e f o r e
d e d u c t i o n s a r e $ 4 9 0 . 9 0 a m o n t h ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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158,
A . I b e l i e v e s o , y e s , s i r .
Q. A nd a t o t a l o f $ 5 , 6 0 0 . 0 0 a y e a r ?
A . I b e l i e v e t h a t i s i t . T h a n k y o u f o r h e l p i n g m e .
Q . Now, M r s . J a c k s o n , w h e n y o u w e r e t e a c h i n g a t W h e a t l e y
C e n t r a l E l e m e n t a r y w e r e y o u o u t o f s c h o o l a g o o d d e a l ?
A. N o , t h e o n l y t i m e I w a s o u t o f s c h o o l I b e l i e v e i t w a s
a r o u n d t h i r t y d a y s . My m o t h e r h a d a h e a r t a t t a c k a n d
w a s v e r y s i c k , a n d i t w a s s u g g e s t e d t h a t I s h o u l d com e
i m m e d i a t e l y , b e c a u s e I w a s t h e o n l y s i s t e r t h a t i s a w a y .
Q- As a m a t t e r o f f a c t , f r o m t i m e t o t i m e y o u w o u l d b e
a w a y f r o m t i m e t o t i m e ?
A . N e v e r , n e v e r , I h a v e n e v e r b e e n a w a y f r o m s c h o o l . N o t
e v e n f o r i l l n e s s m y s e l f , I h a v e n e v e r h a d a c o l d on t h e
j o b .
Q. How o l d a r e y o u ?
A . I am f o r t y - f i v e .
Q. H a v e y o u e v e r d r i v e n a n a u t o m o b i l e ?
A. Y e s , I h a v e som e t i m e b a c k .
Q. Why d o n ' t y o u d r i v e now?
A . W e l l , o u r c a r i s n ' t t o o g o o d a n d we h a v e t o s h a r e t h e
s a m e c a r .
Q. Y o u r h u s b a n d o n l y h a s t o w a l k t h r e e b l o c k s t o h i s j o b ,
d o e s n ' t h e ?
A. Y e s , s i r , I g u e s s s o . I t ' s a r o u n d t h a t .
Q. D o e s h e d r i v e y o u b a c k a n d f o r t h t o t h e D e R o s s i t S c h o o l ,
J O A N F, L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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159.
e v e r y d a y ?
A . Y e s , h e t a k e s me o v e r a n d h e c o m e s b a c k a n d w o r k s a n d
h e c o m e s t o p i c k me u p i n t h e a f t e r n o o n .
Q. D i d y o u e v e r d r i v e a n y s i n c e y o u h a v e b e e n i n t h e
F o r r e s t C i t y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t N o . 7 ? H a v e y o u e v e r -
d r i v e n o v e r t h e r e a n y y o u r s e l f ?
A . N o , s i r , I h a v e n ' t .
Q. A ny o t h e r p e o p l e f r o m B r i n k l e y , o r t h a t a r e a , w o r k o v e r
i n t h e F o r r e s t C i t y S c h o o l s y s t e m ?
A. I w o u l d n ' t k n o w .
Q. A r e y o u t h e o n l y o n e ?
A. I w o u l d n ' t k n o w .
Q. Y ou k n o w o f a n y o n e e l s e ?
A. I d o n ' t k n o w .
Q. Now s i n c e y o u h a v e b e e n a t F o r r e s t C i t y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t
N o . 7 , h a v e y o u b e e n o u t o f s c h o o l a g o o d d e a l t h e r e ?
A. O n l y t w e l v e d a y s . A g a i n , my m o t h e r w a s r e a l s i c k t h i s
p a s t — I b e l i e v e i t w a s i n t h e e a r l y p a r t o f F e b r u a r y .
T h i s t i m e s h e h a d a h e a r t a t t a c k o r s o m e t h i n g . T h i s
t i m e s h e h a d a n o t h e r h e a r t a t t a c k , a n d i t w a s k i n d o f
t h o u g h t t h i s w a s t h e e n d , a n d I w a s a s k e d t o c o m e .
Q . W h e r e d o e s y o u r m o t h e r l i v e ? W h e r e d o e s s h e l i v e ?
A . S h e l i v e s i n F l i n t , M i c h i g a n .
Q. When d i d s h e h a v e h e r f i r s t o n e ?
X b e l i e v e i t w a s i n l a s t D e c e m b e r s o m e t i m e b e f o r e t h e
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N I T E D STATES C O U R T REPOR TER
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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160.
h o l i d a y , n o t t h i s p a s t D e c e m b e r , b u t t h e D e c e m b e r b e f o r e
Q. You w e r e s t i l l t e a c h i n g i n W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l t h e n ?
A . Y e s , s i r , b u t I d i d n ' t h a v e t o g o u n t i l s o m e t i m e i n
J a n u a r y a f t e r t h e s c h o o l s t a r t e d b a c k a f t e r t h e s e c o n d
s e m e s t e r .
Q. W e r e y o u t a r d y a t a l l a t W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l E l e m e n t a r y
d u r i n g t h e t e n o r e l e v e n y e a r s y o u t a u g h t t h e r e ?
A . N e v e r , n e v e r . I n f a c t I a l w a y s h a d t o g o e a r l y b e c a u s e
I h a d t o r i d e w i t h my h u s b a n d a n d I w o u l d a l w a y s h a v e
t o s t a y l a t e r , a n d I d i d n ' t m i n d i t b e c a u s e t h e r e w a s
s o m uch t o b e d o n e a n d I e n j o y e d d o i n g i t .
Q. H a v e y o u b e e n t a r d y s i n c e y o u h a v e b e e n a t F o r r e s t
C i t y S p e c i a l S c h o o l D i s t r i c t N o . 7?
A . No, s i r .
Q. A nd y o u h a v e h a d e m p l o y m e n t i n a n o t h e r s c h o o l s y s t e m
a l l t h i s y e a r ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
MR. BUTLER: I b e l i e v e t h a t i s a l l .
MR. WALKER: No m o r e q u e s t i o n s .
MR. BUTLER: Y o u r H o n o r , I w a n t t o c a l l
M r . W i l l i a m I r v i n g .
WHEREUPON,
WILLIAM IR V IN G , a w i t n e s s c a l l e d o n b e h a l f o f t h e
D e f e n d a n t s , b e i n g d u l y s w o r n , t e s t i f i e d a s f o l l o w s :
DIRECT EXAMINATION
J O A N F . L I N E S
U n i t e d s t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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1 6 1 .
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. M r . I r v i n g , s t a t e y o u r f u l l n a m e , p l e a s e , s i r , a n d y o u r
a g e ?
W i l l i a m I r v i n g , f i f t y —n i n e y e a r s o f a g e , 6 1 6 F i t z
p a t r i c k S t r e e t , F o r r e s t C i t y , A r k a n s a s .
Q. W h a t i s y o u r p r e s e n t p o s i t i o n ?
A. S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f S c h o o l s o f F o r r e s t C i t y S p e c i a l
S c h o o l D i s t r i c t N o . 7 .
Q. How l o n g h a v e y o u b e e n a t t h i s p o s i t i o n ?
N i n e y e a r s .
P r i o r t o t h a t t i m e w h a t w a s y o u r p o s i t i o n w i t h t h e
s c h o o l d i s t r i c t ?
A s s i s t a n t S u p e r i n t e n d e n t .
How l o n g h a v e y o u b e e n w i t h t h e F o r r e s t C i t y S p e c i a l
S c h o o l D i s t r i c t i n o n e c a p a c i t y o r a n o t h e r ?
T h i r t y - n i n e y e a r s .
* I r v i n g , o n S e p t e m b e r 3 , 1 9 6 8 , d i d y o u a n d y o u r
b o a r d e m p l o y t h e s e r v i c e s o f M i t t i e W. J a c k s o n t o
t e a c h e l e m e n t a r y g r a d e s i n t h e F o r r e s t C i t y S c h o o l
s y s t e m ?
Y e s , we d i d .
I w o u l d l i k e f o r y o u t o e x p l a i n i n d e t a i l t h e t e r m s o f
h e r c o n t r a c t . Do y o u h a v e a c o p y o f t h e o r i g i n a l c o n t r a c
Y e s , I h a v e a c o p y o f t h e o r i g i n a l c o n t r a c t .
MR. WALKER: I f h e h a s a c o p y , we w o u l d b e
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
t ?
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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162 .
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
w i l l i n g t o h a v e i t i n t r o d u c e d i n t h e r e c o r d a n d l e t i t
s p e a k f o r i t s e l f .
(MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : I hand y o u a c o p y h e r e , w h a t i
p u r p o r t e d t o b e a c o p y o f t h e o r i g i n a l ?
T h i s i s a c o p y o f t h e o r i g i n a l c o n t r a c t p r e p a r e d i n my
f r o m t h i s c o n t r a c t w h i c h i s t h e o r i g i n a l c o n
t r a c t I h o l d i n my r i g h t h a n d . i t i s .
D o e s t h e o r i g i n a l c o n t r a c t h a v e a memo a t t a c h e d t o i t ?
T h e o r i g i n a l c o n t r a c t h a s a memo a t t a c h e d w h i c h w a s n o t
a n d i s n o t a t t a c h e d t o t h e o t h e r c o p i e s . I t ' s a memo
t o t h e e f f e c t t h a t $ 2 0 0 . 0 0 w o u l d b e a d d e d t o t h e o r i g i n a
c o n t r a c t i f a n d w h e n t h e m o n e y t h a t w a s p r o m i s e d b y t h e
p r e s e n t a d m i n i s t r a t i o n i n i t s s e c o n d b i - a n n u a l w a s m a de
a v a i l a b l e .
How w e r e t h e s e m o n i e s t o b e m a d e a v a i l a b l e ?
I h a v e b e e n a s s u r e d b y t h e S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t o f E d u c a
t i o n t h a t we c a n r e l y u p o n t h e s e m o n i e s a n d t h e y w i l l
b e m a d e a v a i l a b l e , a n d s h e w i l l r e c e i v e , a l o n g w i t h
a l l o f t h e o t h e r t e a c h e r s , t h e $ 2 0 0 . 0 0 a d d i t i o n a l —
i t w o n ' t b e a b o n u s , i t w i l l j u s t b e $ 2 0 0 . 0 0 a d d i t i o n
t o t h e o r i g i n a l $ 5 4 0 0 . 0 0 c o n t r a c t , f o r a t o t a l o f
$ 5 , 6 0 0 . 0 0 f o r a y e a r ' s w o r k .
W o u l d y o u m a ke a c o p y o f t h i s c o n t r a c t a n e x h i b i t t o
y o u r t e s t i m o n y ?
Y e s .
JO AN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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163 .
MR. WALKER: Y o u r H o n o r , we w i l l s t i p u l a t e i t ,
a n d h e n e e d n o t m a k e a n y a d d i t i o n a l c o p y o f i t .
THE COURT: L e t i t b e r e c e i v e d .
(WHEREUPON, t h e d o c u m e n t w a s
m a r k e d D e f e n d a n t s 1 E x h i b i t 5 f o r
i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , r e c e i v e d i n e v i d e n c e
a n d m a d e a p a r t o f t h e r e c o r d h e r e o f . )
Q. (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : I w o u l d l i k e t o a s k y o u i f
$ 5 6 0 0 . 0 0 i s t h e t o t a l f o r t h e y e a r , i s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A. C o r r e c t .
Q. A nd h o w i s t h a t p a i d ?
A . On h e r c o n t r a c t i t w o u l d b e p a i d i n e l e v e n i n s t a l l m e n t s ,
o r e l e v e n p a y p e r i o d s . T h e r e a s o n f o r t h i s i s b e c a u s e
s h e w a s h i r e d l a t e i n t h e y e a r , o r j u s t p r i o r t o t h e
o p e n i n g o f s c h o o l , w h i c h m a d e t h e p a y d a y s com e o u t , o r
t h e p a y p e r i o d s i n t o e l e v e n p a y p e r i o d s i n s t e a d o f
t w e l v e . We n o r m a l l y p a y o n a t w e l v e - m o n t h s b a s i s , b u t
h e r p a y p e r i o d s w e r e d i v i d e d — t h e a m o u n t o f m o n i e s
w a s d i v i d e d b y e l e v e n i n s t e a d o f t w e l v e , b e c a u s e a s I
s a y , s h e s t a r t e d l a t e a n d s h e d i d n o t d r a w t h e u s u a l
A u g u s t c h e c k a t t h e c l o s e o f t h e m o n t h o f A u g u s t .
Q. Now, M r . I r v i n g , y o u h a v e y o u r r e c o r d s t h e r e o f h e r
t a k e - h o m e p a y ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. And o u t o f t h e c h e c k $ 4 9 0 . 9 0 a m o n t h , how m uch t a k e -
hom e p a y d o e s s h e g e t ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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A. S h e h a s $ 4 9 0 . 9 0 , i s t h e a m o u n t o f t h i s p a y p e r i o d .
T h i s i s a p h o t o s t a t i c c o p y o f t h e s c h o o l w a r r a n t w h i c h
w a s i s s u e d t o h e r J a n u a r y 2 8 , 1 9 6 9 . I j u s t p u l l e d i t
f r o m t h e f i l e - - t h e y a r e a l l t h e s a m e - -
Q. W o u l d y o u e n u m e r a t e t h e d e d u c t i o n s ?
MR. WALKER: J u s t a m o m e n t . Y o u r H o n o r . M r . I r
v i n g d i d n o t f i n i s h h i s a n s w e r . He s t a t e d t h i s w a s
$ 4 9 0 . 9 0 p e r m o n t h . I d o n o t t h i n k t h i s i s r e s p o n s i v e
c o m p l e t e l y t o M r . B u t l e r ' s q u e s t i o n . M r . I r v i n g w a s
a b o u t t o g o a h e a d a n d t e l l h i m w h a t t h e t a k e hom e w a s .
A. I w a s g o i n g t o g i v e t h a t f i g u r e . T h e a m o u n t o f t h e
p a y p e r i o d $ 4 9 0 . 9 0 , t h e a m o u n t o f d e d u c t i o n s $ 1 1 0 . 1 2 ,
o r a n e t a m o u n t t a k e h o m e $ 3 8 0 . 7 8 .
Q. (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : T h e q u e s t i o n I w a s g e t t i n g
r e a d y t o a s k y o u w a s , w o u l d y o u i t e m i z e t h o s e d e d u c t i o n s
f o r u s ?
A . R e t i r e m e n t $ 2 1 . 6 0 ; s o c i a l s e c u r i t y $ 2 3 . 5 6 ; i n s u r a n c e
$ 5 . 3 8 ; w i t h h o l d i n g f e d e r a l $ 4 6 . 5 0 ; w i t h h o l d i n g s t a t e
$ 3 . 0 8 ; a n d $ 1 0 . 0 0 f o r - - I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t t h a t i t e m
i s , CU. I t e s c a p e s me a t t h e p r e s e n t , b u t t h e r e i s a
$ 1 0 . 0 0 d e d u c t . I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t t h a t i s f o r u n l e s s
i t w a s a s u b s t i t u t e o r s o m e t h i n g l i k e t h a t .
Q. Now, M r . I r v i n g , w h a t k i n d o f t e a c h e r h a s M i t t i e
J a c k s o n m a de i n t h e F o r r e s t c i t y S p e c i a l S c h o o l D i s t r i c t
N o . 7 ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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165 .
MR. WALKER: Y o u r H o n o r , a t t h i s p o i n t we
w o u l d l i k e t o o b j e c t a n d c l a i m o f s u r p r i s e . I t c e r t a i n ! ,
w o u l d b e i n a p p r o p r i a t e f o r u s t o p e r m i t t h i s w i t n e s s t o
g o i n t o t h i s t e a c h e r ' s c h a r a c t e r — n o t h e r c h a r a c t e r
- - b u t h e r c o m p e t e n c e a s a t e a c h e r . We w e r e n o t p r e
p a r e d f o r t h i s . We h a d n o k n o w l e d g e t h a t i t w a s g o i n g
t o b e r a i s e d . We a r e n o t p r e p a r e d t o r e b u t t h i s
p a r t i c u l a r i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t may b e g i v e n i f h a r m f u l
b y t h i s p a r t i c u l a r w i t n e s s . I c l a i m s u r p r i s e .
THE COURT: W e l l , M r . W a l k e r , y o u p u t t h e
q u e s t i o n a t i s s u e i n t h i s c a s e .
MR. WALKER: Y o u r H o n o r , t h e q u e s t i o n a t i s s u e -•
THE COURT: L e t t h e C o u r t s p e a k , M r . W a l k e r ,
j u s t h a v e a s e a t .
MR. WALKER: A l l r i g h t , Y o u r H o n o r .
THE COURT: T h i s h a s b e c o m e a n i s s u e i n t h e
c a s e a n d t h e q u e s t i o n h a s d e v e l o p e d a n d i s b e i n g
d e v e l o p e d o n t h e b a s i s o f t h e q u a l i f i c a t i o n s o f t h e s e
t e a c h e r s . T h e q u e s t i o n h a s now b e e n d e v e l o p e d t h a t
s h e i s p r e s e n t l y e m p l o y e d a n d i s w o r k i n g f o r t h e
F o r r e s t C i t y S c h o o l s . And I a s s u m e f r o m w h a t t h e
s u p e r i n t e n d e n t h a s s a i d s h e s t i l l h a s a c o n t r a c t a n d
i s s t i l l w o r k i n g a n d w i l l c o n t i n u e t o w o r k f o r t h e r e s t
o f t h e y e a r . I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t t h e p u r p o s e o f p u r s u i n g
t h a t p h a s e o f i t may b e , Mr. B u t l e r , b u t t h e f a c t t h a t
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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s h e i s e m p l o y e d i n d i c a t e s t h a t s h e h a s m e t a l l o f t h e
q u a l i f i c a t i o n s o f t h e S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t o f E d u c a t i o n ,
MR. BUTLER: Y e s , t h a t i s t r u e , Y o u r H o n o r ,
s h e d o e s h a v e a c e r t i f i c a t e . B u t t h e p u r p o s e o f t h i s ,
t h i s w i l l b e c o n n e c t e d u p w i t h o t h e r w i t n e s s e s . T h e
r e a s o n I am u s i n g M r . I r v i n g a t t h i s t i m e i s I w a n t t o
f r e e h i m s o h e c a n g o b a c k t o h i s d u t i e s . B u t we w i l l
h a v e o t h e r p r o o f to t h e e f f e c t t h a t w h i l e s h e w a s w o r k i n c
i n t h e s c h o o l s y s t e m a t W h e a t l e y s h e w a s a w a y a g r e a t
d e a l , s h e w a s t a r d y f r e q u e n t l y , a n d I j u s t w a n t t o
k n o w f r o m M r . I r v i n g h o w s h e i s p a n n i n g o u t w i t h h i m ,
T h e y h a v e a c o n t r a c t w i t h h e r f o r a y e a r .
MR. WALKER: Y o u r H o n o r , may I r e a c t now ?
THE COURT: I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t y o u m e a n b y
r e a c t i n g , b u t i f y o u h a v e a n y t h i n g y o u w a n t t o p r e s e n t
t o t h e C o u r t , y o u may d o s o .
MR. WALKER: T h e q u e s t i o n a t i s s u e a s we u n d e r
s t o o d i t , a n d i t w a s p r e - i s s u e d b y t h e d e f e n s e , w a s ,
p e r h a p s t h e c o m p e t e n c e a t t h e W h e a t l e y s c h o o l . We a r e
n o t i n t h i s l a w s u i t c o n c e r n e d w i t h M r s . J a c k s o n ' s
c o m p e t e n c e f o r w h a t s h e i s d o i n g now , o r f r o m t h e s e
o t h e r t e a c h e r s . F o r a l l we c a r e , we w o u l d p e r h a p s
s h o w t h a t s h e may n o t b e c o m p e t e n t f o r w h a t s h e i s
d o i n g n o w . T h a t i s i r r e l e v a n t . My o b j e c t i o n g o e s t o
t h e f a c t t h a t we w e r e n o t p r o p e r l y g i v e n n o t i c e t h a t
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N I T E D STATES C O U R T RE PORTER
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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t h e r e w o u l d b e a w i t n e s s w ho w o u l d g i v e t e s t i m o n y a s
t o h e r p r e s e n t c o m p e t e n c y .
THE COURT: I d o n ' t t h i n k t h i s w i t n e s s i s g o i n g
t o s h o w t o o much p r e j u d i c e i n t h i s m a t t e r , i f a n y a t
a l l , M r . W a l k e r . I t h i n k h e i s p r e s e n t i n g w h a t t h e
f a c t s a r e . You may p r o c e e d , a n d we w i l l s e e .
Q. (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : M r . I r v i n g , t e l l t h e C o u r t ,
i f y o u w i l l , a b o u t M r s . J a c k s o n ' s e x e c u t i o n o f h e r
d u t i e s a s t o a b s e n c e , p u n c t u a l i t y , q u a l i f i c a t i o n s , a n d
o r g a n i z a t i o n o f c l a s s r o o m w o r k ?
THE COURT: M r . B u t l e r , y o u h a v e a l r e a d y p u t
h e r q u a l i f i c a t i o n s i n t h i s r e c o r d , a n d p r e s e n t e d a n
e x h i b i t w h i c h p l a i n t i f f s s a i d t h e y w o u l d s t i p u l a t e t o ,
b u t n e v e r t h e l e s s , y o u d i d p r e s e n t i t i n t h e r e c o r d .
I am s u r e y o u d o n ' t i n t e n d t o d e f e a t y o u r own t e s t i m o n y .
MR. BUTLER: Y o u r H o n o r , I h a v e o n l y q u e s t i o n e d
h e r a b o u t h e r c o n t r a c t . I h a v e n o t q u e s t i o n e d h e r a s
t o w h e t h e r s h e h a d a c e r t i f i c a t e , h e r e d u c a t i o n a l
b a c k g r o u n d . I d i d n ' t g o o v e r t h a t a t a l l .
THE COURT: I t ' s y o u r w i t n e s s .
MR. BUTLER: I w o u l d j u s t l i k e f o r h i m t o t e l l
how s h e h a s p e r f o r m e d .
THE COURT: S h e i s s t i l l t e a c h i n g , i s n ' t s h e ?
S h e i s e m p l o y e d a t t h e D e R o s s i t t E l e m e n t a r y S c h o o l ,
a n d s o f a r a s o u r r e c o r d s i n d i c a t e a s o f t o d a y , s h e h a s
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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m i s s e d f o u r t e e n a n d a h a l f d a y s o f w o r k . T h i s i s a
r e p o r t t h a t w a s g i v e n t o me b y my s e c r e t a r y w h o k e e p s
u p w i t h t h e a b s e n t e e i s m , a n d t h e c a u s e s f o r t h e a b s e n c e
w e r e a l l e g e d t o h a v e b e e n f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f v i s i t i n g
h e r m o t h e r w ho w a s i l l . O n e - h a l f d a y o f t h i s t i m e w a s ,
i n c i d e n t a l l y , f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f r e p o r t i n g a n d m e e t i n g
w i t h h e r c o u n s e l f o r d e p o s i t i o n p u r p o s e s . O u t s i d e o f
t h a t a n d , o f c o u r s e , t o d a y , t h i s w i l l b e f i f t e e n a n d
a h a l f d a y s o f a b s e n c e t h a t s h e w i l l h a v e u p t o d a t e
b e e n a b s e n t f r o m h e r w o r k . S h e h a s b e e n a t t i m e s
u n p u n c t u a l , a s h a s b e e n r e p o r t e d b y t h e s u p e r v i s o r s
a n d b y h e r p r i n c i p a l . s h e h a s b e e n p r o m p t e d f r e q u e n t l y
a b o u t t h i s . As t o w hy s h e h a s b e e n l a t e , I d o n ’ t k n o w .
I p r e s u m e b e c a u s e s h e h a s t o t r a v e l s o f a r t o w o r k .
H e r c l a s s r o o m w o r k h a s n o t b e e n t o o w e l l o r g a n i z e d
a s h e r c l o s e r s u p e r v i s o r s h a v e r e p o r t e d . T h i s o n e h a s
n o t b e e n t o o g o o d - -
MR. WALKER: J u s t a m i n u t e . Y o u r H o n o r , s i n c e
we a r e now g o i n g o n i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t i s n o t a p a r t o f
M r . I r v i n g ' s o f f i c i a l r e c o r d s a n d i t i s h e a r s a y a n d i t
i n v o l v e s a n o t h e r s c h o o l d i s t r i c t , we h a v e t o o b j e c t t o
i t s a d m i s s i b i l i t y .
THE COURT: I t h i n k i t i s p r o p e r t e s t i m o n y .
O b j e c t i o n o v e r r u l e d . You may p r o c e e d . You w i l l h a v e
a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o i n t e r r o g a t e t h i s w i t n e s s , Mr. W a l k e r .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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169.
A. I personally have not observed her in her work. I do
not in my position have an opportunity to observe
teachers too often personally, having some two hundred
and eighty-five teachers, I don't have time to see
them all. The only thing I can testify, of course, is
to the testimonials that were given to me by my two
assistant superintendents, namely, Mr. C. T. Cobb and
Mr. DeWitt Smith.
Q. (MR. BUTLER, continuing): Mr. Cobb, is he white?
A. Mr. Cobb is a Negro, assistant superintendent. And
Mr. DeWitt Smith is a white assistant superintendent.
They have previously mentioned, or it has previously
been mentioned to them by the principal of the school
as to her tardiness. It was reported that when she
is prompted about certain deficiencies she is rather
hard to counsel with. And that is all the information
I have on her personally. I personally do not know
anything more.
MR. BUTLER: That is all, Your Honor.
CROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR. WALKER:
Q. Mr. Irving, all of your conclusions about Mrs. Mittie
Jackson are based on hearsay, is that correct?
A. That is true.
Q. You have no direct knowledge of her teaching competence;
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N I T E D STATES C O U R T REPOR TER
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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1 7 0 ,
A. I have not observed her personally.
Q- My question was, you have no direct knowledge of her
teaching competence?
A. None other than is reported to me by her principal and
the supervisors who are hired for the purpose of making
such observations.
Q. Now isn't it true, Mr. Irving, that Forrest City has
its own desegregation problems right now?
A. We are no exception.
Q. You are right now trying to negotiate with HEW in order
to retain your own federal funds, isn’t that true?
A. That's true.
Q. Isn't it true that you have been given notice this year
that you must unify your existing dual school system?
A. No, that is not true.
Q. Did you not go to Washington, D. C., recently for a
conference with H.E.W. officials to discuss your
situation with Secretary Finch?
MR. BUTLER: Your Honor, I don't feel this
question has anything relevant. I object to this.
MR. WALKER: Your Honor —
A. I object myself.
THE COURT: Now, Gentlemen, the Court suggests
that you let Mr. Butler make his objection.
MR. BUTLER: Thank you, sir. I object, Your
J O A N F, L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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H o n o r , t h i s h a s n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h t h e i s s u e i n t h i s
l a w s u i t , i t i s i r r e l e v a n t a n d i m m a t e r i a l .
THE COURT: I t i s a p r o p e r q u e s t i o n a n d i t g o e s
t o t h e c r e d i b i l i t y o f t h e w i t n e s s . You may p r o c e e d .
Q. (MR. WALKER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : Do y o u r e c a l l t h e q u e s t i o n ,
s i r ?
A. You h a d b e t t e r r e s t a t e y o u r q u e s t i o n .
Q. i s i t t r u e t h a t y o u a n d m e m b e r s o f y o u r b o a r d o f
e d u c a t i o n a n d y o u r a t t o r n e y , M r . E . J . B u t l e r , r e c e n t l y
w e n t t o W a s h i n g t o n t o d i s c u s s t h e F o r r e s t C i t y d e g e g r e -
g a t i o n s i t u a t i o n w i t h S e c r e t a r y F i n c h , a n d t h a t y o u
h a d a m e e t i n g w i t h S e c r e t a r y F i n c h w h i c h w a s a r r a n g e d
b y S e n a t o r J o h n L . M c C l e l l a n ?
THE COURT: J u s t a m i n u t e b e f o r e y o u a n s w e r
t h a t q u e s t i o n . T h e C o u r t w i l l s t a t e i t i s g o i n g t o
p e r m i t t h e a n s w e r t o b e g i v e n t o t h e q u e s t i o n , b u t i t
w i l l o n l y b e c o n s i d e r e d u n d e r t h e r u l e s a s t o t h e
c r e d i b i l i t y o f t h e w i t n e s s , a n d f o r t h a t p u r p o s e o n l y .
MR. WALKER: We a r e n o t t r y i n g F o r r e s t C i t y
n o w . I t i s j u s t g o i n g t o t h e c r e d i b i l i t y .
Q. (MR. WALKER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : C o u l d y o u a n s w e r t h a t j u s t
y e s o r n o ?
I n p a r t , y e s . B u t i n p e r s o n h a v i n g r e f e r e n c e t o , n o .
I b e l i e v e y o u a s k e d me i f t h e i n t e r v i e w w a s n o t a r r a n g e d
b y — whom d i d y o u a s k ?
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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172 .
MR. WALKER: T h a t i s i r r e l e v a n t , I am w i t h
d r a w i n g t h e r e f e r e n c e t o t h e m e e t i n g b e i n g a r r a n g e d b y
S e n a t o r M c C l e l l a n .
A. T h a t ' s n o t w h o l l y t r u e .
MR. WALKER: I am w i t h d r a w i n g t h a t c o m p l e t e l y .
A . A l l r i g h t .
Q. (MR. WALKER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : M r . I r v i n g , a t t h e t i m e y o u
e m p l o y e d M r s . J a c k s o n w e r e y o u a w a r e o f t h e f a c t t h a t
s h e h a d f i l e d a l a w s u i t a g a i n s t t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l
D i s t r i c t ?
A . No, I w a s n o t . To b e p e r f e c t l y t r u t h f u l , I w a s n o t .
I h a v e h a d t h e s e c a s e s b e f o r e .
Q. H a v e y o u e v e r h a d a n y c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h M r . T . E .
P a t t e r s o n , E x e c u t i v e S e c r e t a r y o f t h e A r k a n s a s T e a c h e r s
A s s o c i a t i o n ?
A. A b o u t t h i s p a r t i c u l a r e m p l o y m e n t ?
Q. No, j u s t a b o u t t h e e m p l o y m e n t o f N e g r o t e a c h e r s
g e n e r a l l y who h a v e b e e n d i s m i s s e d f r o m s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s
w ho h a v e f i l e d l a w s u i t s a g a i n s t s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s .
A. I h a v e o n p r e v i o u s o c c a s i o n s t a l k e d w i t h M r . P a t t e r s o n
a b o u t t e a c h e r s who w e r e n o t r e h i r e d i n o t h e r d i s t r i c t s ,
y e s .
Q. Who h a d f i l e d l a w s u i t s a g a i n s t o t h e r d i s t r i c t s ?
A . I b e l i e v e i n o n e c a s e , y e s , t h e y h a d s t a r t e d n e g o t i a
t i o n s a b o u t a l a w s u i t .
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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Q. Do y o u r e c a l l a s k i n g M r . P a t t e r s o n t o h a v e t h e s e p e o p l e
d r o p t h e l a w s u i t i n o r d e r t o c o n t i n u e t o b e e m p l o y e d
b y t h e F o r r e s t C i t y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t ?
A . I b e l i e v e , i f I r e m e m b e r c o r r e c t l y , I t o l d M r . P a t t e r s o r
t h a t I w o u l d h i r e t h e s e p e o p l e , b u t I d i d n o t w a n t t o
h i r e t h e m i f I w a s g o i n g t o b e t i e d u p i n t o a n y
l i t i g a t i o n o r i f t h e y w e r e g o i n g t o b e t i e d u p i n
l i t i g a t i o n w i t h t h e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t f r o m w h e n c e t h e y
w e r e c o m i n g , a n d i f s u c h c o m p l i c a t i o n s w e r e g o i n g t o
b e o u t s t a n d i n g I d i d n o t w a n t t o u n d e r g o t h e u s u a l ,
a n d I g a v e t h e m a j o b . I d i d n ' t h a v e t o , I h a d o t h e r
a p p l i c a n t s who c o u l d h a v e d o n e t h e j o b j u s t a s w e l l ,
b u t I d i d g i v e t h e m a j o b . T h e y a r e g o o d t e a c h e r s . I
d o n ' t t h i n k t h a t t h e y f o l l o w e d u p o n a n y l a w s u i t s , t h e y
h a v e g o t t e n a l o n g w o n d e r f u l l y w e l l a n d s o f a r a s I
k n o w , t h e y w i l l b e w i t h me u n t i l t h e y p r o v e t h e m s e l v e s
i n c o m p e t e n t . B u t I d i d t a l k t o C . T . P a t t e r s o n a b o u t
t h i s .
Q- T . E . P a t t e r s o n .
A. I m e a n T . E . P a t t e r s o n , I 'm s o r r y , I k n o w h i m b e t t e r
t h a n t h a t . T h a t i s t r u e , t h a t i s v e r y t r u e . And I
d i d t h a t f o r t h e p u r p o s e t h a t we a r e h e r e t o d a y , t h a t
i s e x a c t l y . And I w i l l s a y t h i s , h a d I known t h a t t h i s
c a s e w a s g o i n g i n t o c o u r t , t h i s p r o c e e d i n g s , I p r o b a b l y
w o u l d n o t h a v e e m p l o y e d y o u r c l i e n t . I f t h a t i s a n y
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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s a t i s f a c t i o n .
MR. WALKER: T h a n k y o u , s i r .
MR. BUTLER: Y o u r H o n o r , I h a v e n o f u r t h e r
q u e s t i o n s . I w o u l d l i k e M r . I r v i n g b e e x c u s e d . I
t h i n k h e w a n t s t o b e e x c u s e d .
THE COURT: I t h i n k t h a t i t i s a m a t t e r o f l a w ,
b u t i s i t n o t a f a c t t h a t u n d e r s t a t e l a w t e a c h e r
c o n t r a c t s a r e o n a n a n n u a l b a s i s ?
A . Y e s , p r i m a r i l y o n l y t e a c h e r s , a n d t h e r e c a n b e f o r o n l y
o n e s c h o o l y e a r , f r o m J u l y 1 s t t o J u l y 1 s t .
THE COURT: B u t n o t i c e m u s t b e g i v e n , a n d i f
n o t i c e i s n o t g i v e n t h e y a r e a u t o m a t i c a l l y e x t e n d e d
f o r a n o t h e r y e a r ?
A . N o t i c e s c a n b e g i v e n t e n d a y s a f t e r t h e c l o s e o f
s c h o o l f o r t h e s c h o o l y e a r t h a t t h e y w o u l d n o t r e h i r e ,
w h i c h w o u l d s u b s t a n t i a t e I b e l i e v e i n t h e c o u r t s .
MR. WALKER: Y o u r H o n o r , may I a s k o n e q u e s t i o n ,
m a y b e t w o .
THE COURT: Y e s .
Q. (MR. WALKER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : I s i t t r u e , M r . I r v i n g , t h a t
f o r e a c h d a y t h a t M r s . J a c k s o n h a s t o b e o u t o f s c h o o l
t o b e i n v o l v e d i n t h i s l i t i g a t i o n t h a t s h e i s d o c k e d
i n t h e a m o u n t o f a p p r o x i m a t e l y $ 3 0 . 0 0 p e r d a y ?
A. S h e w i l l b e d o c k e d t h e a m o u n t t h a t s h e w o u l d h a v e
r e c e i v e d s h o u l d h e r s a l a r y h a v e b e e n d i v i d e d b y t h e
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N I T E D S T AT ES C O U R T REPOR TER
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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number of days, that is true. The board felt that that
was no more than just.
Q. The second thing. Would you state that whether or not
the Forrest City School system is considerably larger
than the Wheatley school system, and whether the school
in which she teaches is also accredited as high as it
could be accredited?
A. We have the highest rating that the state levies on an
elementary school, an "A" rating. That is correct,
and we are a considerably larger school district than
of course Wheatley.
MR. WALKER: Thank you sir.
EXAMINATION BY THE COURT
Q. Who determines the rating?
A. The State Board of Education.
Q. And every school is given a rating by the State Board
of Education?
A. Every school is rated both secondary and elementary.
And the highest rating any school can have or acquire
is an "A" rating. That's for the elementary, the junior
high and the senior high which are the groups that are
classified as secondary schools.
Q. Now you employed Mrs. Jackson knowing that she had
been teaching in the Wheatley school?
A. Your Honor, I really must confess that I didn't know
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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where she had been teaching. I have assistants who
work in personnel matters.
Q. They satisfied themselves about her meeting all the
requirements and conveyed it to you?
A. That is true, sir. She has four years -- she has a BS
degree, she is properly certified, she has had twenty-
two years of service, and her contract was drawn on the
basis of a recommendation from my assistant superintend
ent, Mr. C. T. Cobb, who recommended that she be hired,
and she was hired and given a contract. But I did
not know that she had been dismissed .or had not been
rehired by the Wheatley School District.
THE COURT: You may stand aside. If there is
no further need for Mr. Irving, Mr. Irving may be
excused. Is that agreeable with you, Mr. Walker?
MR. WALKER: That's agreeable with us.
(WHEREUPON, at 3:50 o ’clock p.m.,
a recess was taken until 4:00 o'clock
p.m., of the same day, at which time
the following proceedings were-had,
being in Volume II.):
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
177
IN THE UNITED STATES D IS T R IC T COURT
EASTERN D IS T R IC T OF ARKANSAS
EASTERN D I V I S I O N
L . R . JACKSON, MARVIN E . COLEMAN,
MRS. M ITTIE JACKSON, MRS. MALISSA A .
MEEKS a n d THE ARKANSAS TEACHERS
ASSOCIATION, A N o n - p r o f i t A s s o c i a t i o n
O r g a n i z e d u n d e r t h e Laws o f t h e S t a t e
o f A r k a n s a s , P LA IN T IFF S
v . N o . H 68 C - 2 2
WHEATLEY SCHOOL D IS T R IC T NO. 2 8 OF
S T . FRANCIS COUNTY, ARKANSAS,
A C o r p o r a t i o n ; SIDNEY KENNEDY,
S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f S c h o o l s o f W h e a t l e y
S c h o o l D i s t r i c t N o . 2 8 , e t a l . , DEFENDANTS
H e l e n a , A r k a n s a s
M a r c h 13 & 1 4 , 1 9 6 9 .
VOLUME I I .
JOAN F. LINES
U nited S ta tes C o u r t R eporter
F E DER AL BUILDING
E l Dora d o , A rk a n sa s
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IN THE UNITED STATES D IS T R IC T COURT
EASTERN D IS T R IC T OF ARKANSAS
EASTERN D IV IS IO N
Lo R . JACKSON, MARVIN E . COLEMAN,
MRS „ M ITTIE JACKSON, MRS . MALISSA A .
MEEKS a n d THE ARKANSAS TEACHERS
ASSOCIATION, A N o n - p r o f i t A s s o c i a t i o n
O r g a n i z e d U n d e r t h e Law s o f t h e
S t a t e o f A r k a n s a s , P L A I N T I F F S ,
v . N o . H 68 C - 2 2
WHEATLEY SCHOOL D IS T R IC T NO* 2 8 OF
S T . FRANCIS COUNTY, ARKANSAS, A
C o r p o r a t i o n ; SIDNEY KENNEDY,
S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f S c h o o l s o f W h e a t l e y
S c h o o l D i s t r i c t N o . 2 8 ; a n d IRA 0 . WHEELER,
BOBBY MICHAELIS, BILLY JOE JONES,
BOBBY NOOSLER a n d PAUL TEHRING, B o a r d
o f D i r e c t o r s o f t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l
D i s t r i c t N o . 2 8 o f S t . F r a n c i s C o u n t y ,
A r k a n s a s , DEFENDANTS.
BE I T REMEMBERED, t h a t t h e h e a r i n g w a s c o n t i n u e d
i n t h e a b o v e - e n t i t l e d c a u s e o n i t s m e r i t s t o T h e H o n o r a b l e
O r e n H a r r i s , p u r s u a n t t o r e c e s s i n t h e F e d e r a l C o u r t r o o m ,
P o s t O f f i c e B u i l d i n g , H e l e n a , A r k a n s a s , o n M a r c h 13 a n d 1 4 ,
1 9 6 9 .
T h e a p p e a r a n c e s a t s a i d t i m e a n d p l a c e w e r e a s
p r e v i o u s l y n o t e d .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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179.
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
Index of Testimony_________ _______
Direct-.Cross : Redirect: Recross :By Court:
Witness Butler :Walker
M r s . Malissa A. Meeks : 1 8 0 : 189 1 91 . 1 9 3 1.
Bobby Michaelis ; 195 : 2 0 5 2 15 : 2 1 6 s •
Billy Joe Jones : 2 1 8 : 2 3 0 2 4 1 a • 9
Russell James Noosler : 242 s 2 4 6 252 ! 2 52 s 2 5 0 ®
Robert G. Noosler s 2 5 5 : 2 6 1 2 6 8 : 2 6 9 : 2 7 4 ,,
S. M. Kennedy : 2 7 5 : 3 0 1 3 2 8 : 3 3 4 : 3 2 9 0
:Walker t
Mrs. Mittie Jackson : 337 t
Pis 1
Pis '
Pis 1
Pis 1
Pis 1
Pis 1
10
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Plaintiffs' Exhibits
P a g e
- I n v o i c e o f S c h o o l P r o d u c t s C o . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 03
- S t a t e m e n t o f S c h o o l P r o d u c t s C o . . 303
ii ii " » 'i S04
- N o . o f S t u d e n t s i n c l a s s e s .............. ....................................... 3 2 0
- N o . o f s t u d e n t s i n h i g h s c h o o l c l a s s e s
( M a r k e d b y M r . W a l k e r C o u n t d i d n o t o f f i c i a l l y
r e c e i v e . ) ............................ ...................................... 3 2 1
- L i s t o f t e a c h e r s ' 6 7 - 6 8 s c h o o l y e a r . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 6
Def'
Def1
Def'
Def1
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7
8
9
Defendants' Exhibits
Elementary certificate - Mrs. Meeks......... .
S t u d e n t s ' P e r m a n e n t r e c o r d o f M a l i s s a M e e k s . . .
L e t t e r f r o m L a n e B r y a n t , I n c . , 1 0 - 1 9 - 6 7 . . . . . . .
Reading tests-Nelson and California...........
Page
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J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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180.
P R O C E E D I N G S VOLUME I I
THE COURT: C a l l y o u r n e x t w i t n e s s .
MR.BUTLER: M r s . M e e k s .
WHEREUPON,
MRS. MALISSA A. MEEKS, o n e o f t h e p l a i n t i f f s , w a s c a l l e c
a s a w i t n e s s on b e h a l f o f t h e D e f e n d a n t s , b e i n g d u l y
s w o r n , t e s t i f i e d a s f o l l o w s ;
DIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. Y o u r nam e i s M r s . M a l i s s a M e e k s ?
A . M a l i s s a A. M e e k s .
Q. How o l d a r e y o u , M r s . M e e k s ?
A . I am f o r t y - s i x .
Q. W h e r e d o y o u r e s i d e ?
A . B r i n k l e y , A r k a n s a s .
Q. How l o n g h a v e y o u b e e n a r e s i d e n t o f B r i n k l e y ?
A. A b o u t s e v e n y e a r s .
Q. A r e y o u t h e s i s t e r o f P r o f e s s o r L . R. J a c k s o n ?
A. I am.
Q. W h e r e d i d y o u g e t y o u r e d u c a t i o n ?
A . I am a g r a d u a t e o f P h i l a n d e r S m i t h C o l l e g e , L i t t l e
R o c k , A r k a n s a s .
Q. When d i d y o u g e t y o u r d e g r e e ?
A. I n 1 9 6 3 .
Q. W h a t i n ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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181.
A . I h a v e a BA d e g r e e i n e l e m e n t a r y e d u c a t i o n ,
Q. A BA?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q . And y o u m o v e d t o B r i n k l e y s e v e n y e a r s a g o ?
A . T h a t ' s r i g h t .
Q. D i d y o u t e a c h i n t h e W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l E l e m e n t a r y s c h o o l
f r o m t h a t t i m e u p u n t i l y o u r c o n t r a c t w a s t e r m i n a t e d ?
A. I w a s t e a c h i n g t h e r e b e f o r e I w a s m o v e d t o B r i n k l e y
b e c a u s e I u s e d t o l i v e i n M o r o , A r k a n s a s , a n d t h e n
t a u g h t i n M o ro o n e y e a r b e f o r e I w e n t t o B r i n k l e y ,
m a y b e tw o y e a r s , b u t I t h i n k i t w a s o n e y e a r t h o u g h .
I w a s t r a n s f e r r e d f r o m M o r o .
Q. When d i d y o u f i r s t k n o w t h a t y o u r c o n t r a c t w i t h t h e
W h e a t l e y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t w a s g o i n g t o b e t e r m i n a t e d a t
t h e e n d o f t h e s c h o o l y e a r 1 9 6 7 - 6 8 ?
A . X c o u l d n ' t g i v e y o u t h e d i r e c t d a t e , b u t i t w a s t h e
s a m e t i m e o f a l l t h i s o t h e r d i s c u s s i o n , I t h i n k a l l o f
i t w a s s a m e t i m e a n d t h e s a m e n u m b e r .
Q. And d i d y o u a t t e n d t h e s c h o o l b o a r d m e e t i n g t h a t n i g h t
on A p r i l 2 9 ?
A. I s u r e d i d .
Q. W i t h L . R. J a c k s o n , M r s . M i t t i e J a c k s o n a n d M a r v i n E .
C o l e m a n ?
A. I s u r e d i d .
Q. Had y o u b e e n t o l d p r i o r t o t h a t t i m e t h a t y o u r c o n t r a c t
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N I T E D STA TES C O U R T REPOR TER
F e d e r a l b u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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w o u l d n o t b e r e n e w e d f o r t h e n e x t y e a r ?
A. W e l l , i t h a d b e e n t a l k e d a b o u t t o u s , s e e m e d l i k e t h i s
s u p e r i n t e n d e n t c a m e o u t .
Q. How m uch t i m e p r i o r t o t h e m e e t i n g o f t h e n i g h t o f
A p r i l 2 9 t h ?
A . I j u s t r e a l l y c a n ' t r e m e m b e r , b e c a u s e I h a v e b e e n s o
d i s t u r b e d , t h a t i s s o m e t h i n g I d o n ' t k n o w .
Q. A m o n t h b e f o r e t h a t ?
A. N o , s i r , I d o n ' t t h i n k i t w a s t h a t l o n g .
Q. You d i d r e c e i v e y o u r n o t i c e o f t e r m i n a t i o n , d i d y o u
n o t , t h r o u g h t h e m a i l ?
A. I s u r e d i d a f t e r s c h o l w a s o u t .
Q . W h a t g r a d e d i d y o u t e a c h i n W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l E l e m e n t a r y ?
A . You m e a n t h e w h o l e t i m e I w a s t e a c h i n g t h e r e ?
Q. W h i l e y o u w e r e t e a c h i n g t h e r e , w h a t g r a d e s d i d y o u t e a c h
A . I t a u g h t t h e 3 r d a n d 4 t h g r a d e f o r a p r e t t y g o o d w h i l e
t h e n I f i n a l l y g o t t o b e a s e c o n d g r a d e t e a c h e r , a n d
I t a u g h t t h e 3 r d g r a d e a l i t t l e w h i l e . T h e y j u s t k e p t
m o v i n g u s a b o u t f r o m o n e g r a d e t o a n o t h e r .
Q . Now t h e l a s t y e a r t h a t y o u w e r e t h e r e , 1 9 6 7 - 6 8 , how
m a n y s t u d e n t s d i d y o u h a v e i n W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l ?
A. How m a n y s t u d e n t s t h e w h o l e t i m e ?
Q. Y e s .
m X r e a l l y d o n ' t k n o w , X d i d n ' t k e e p u p w i t h a l l o f t h a t
b e c a u s e I am a p e r s o n w h o ' s g o t p r o b l e m s a n d I d o n ’ t
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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183 .
think about all the things and they don't stay on my
mind.
Q. So, you're a person that has got problems?
A . I am.
Q. What kind of problems?
A. At home, my own personal problems, because I am a widow
and I've got a lot of things to think about.
Q. About your indebtedness, and that sort of thing?
A. That's some of it too. There is a lot of things on my
mind.
Q. You did owe quite a few people quite a bit of money, is
that right?
A. Well, yes, I am not going to deny that I owe people.
q x mean prior to the end while you were teaching school
over there at Wheatley, did you have a lot of creditors
that you were slow about paying?
A. Well, I wasn't slow, but I was paying the best I could.
Q. When you say "the best you could?"
A. That's right.
Q. Did you have some accounts that got delinquent for
months at a time?
A Not too serious. I always could make some arrangements
if I have some debts.
Q Do you know that some of your ceditors were talking
the school board, the school superintendent about your
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N I T E D STATES C O U R T REPOR TER
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E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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obligations ?
A. If they did, I didn't know it.
Q. What about the bill you owe Mr. Frankie Hemingway?
A. Mr. Frank Hemingway has not dunned. I paid him on the
dot everytime I owe him. I've got receipts to prove tha
If he would tell you the truth, he would say I paid
him, because I paid him as high as a hundred dollars
a month. That looks like paying to me.
Q. Do you know he talked to the members of the school
board?
A. I am sorry if he did. Maybe somebody forced him into
telling all that kind of stuff, but it is not true.
Would you like to see the receipts? I can get them.
MR. WALKER: Just answer the questions.
A. All right, I sure will. That's something that burns
me up.
Q. (MR. BUTLER, continuing): Your brother testified
that you had a fire in Wheatley?
A. I had a fire in Brinkley.
Q. In Brinkley?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. And burned the house in which you were living in?
A. That's right.
Q. When did that happen?
A . In 166.
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Q . W h a t p a r t o f ' 6 6 ?
A . He s a i d i t w a s i n t h e f a l l , b u t i t w a s i n A p r i l , I
k n o w e x a c t l y w h e n i t h a p p e n e d .
Q. I b e l i e v e h e s t a t e d t h a t y o u w e r e b u y i n g t h e p l a c e ,
i s t h a t r i g h t ?
A. I w a s .
Q. Was t h e r e i n s u r a n c e on t h a t p r o p e r t y s u f f i c i e n t t o
t a k e c a r e o f t h e b i l l s - -
A . I t w a s n o t .
Q . - - w h i c h y o u o w e d ?
A . No, s i r , i t w a s n o t .
Q . How m u c h d i d i t l a c k ?
A. W e l l a t t h e t i m e t h e h o u s e b u r n e d , I j u s t d o n ' t r e m e m b e r
e x a c t l y , b u t i t w a s n ' t e n o u g h t o t a k e c a r e o f t h e m .
Q. You d i d h a v e i n s u r a n c e o n i t ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q. How m u c h i n s u r a n c e d i d y o u h a v e o n i t ?
A. I t h i n k i t w a s a r o u n d $ 2 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 .
Q. W h a t s i z e h o u s e w a s i t ?
A. I t w a s j u s t a f o u r - r o o m f r a m e h o u s e .
Q. Now, M r s . M e e k s , y o u d i d b u s i n e s s w i t h D i x i e F u r n i t u r e
C om pany i n B r i n k l e y f r o m t i m e t o t i m e ?
A. Y e s , s i r , I s u r e h a v e , I am d o i n g b u s i n e s s w i t h t h e m
r i g h t now .
Q. H a v e y o u b e e n b e h i n d o v e r t h e y e a r s w i t h y o u r a c c o u n t
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l o i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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186.
with them?
A. No, sir, I am not behind, but I can always make arrange
ments to keep my business straight.
Q. Did it become necessary from time to time for these
people, in order for you to make your arrangements,
to contact the people you were working for?
A. If they contacted them I didn't know it.
Q. You didn't know that?
A. I didn't know it.
Q. Mr. Richardson didn't tell you that?
A. Only one time Mr. Jackson told me what he mentioned to
him, and Mr. Jackson told me what he said one time,
and that was the only time.
Q. Did you have some business with a finance company that
garnisheed your checks?
A. I never had a check garnisheed in my life.
MR. WALKER: There is no showing of any
garnishment.
A. I have not. I don't know where that come from.
Q. (MR.' BUTLER, continuing): I just asked you.
A. No, sir, I haven't. It might have been mentioned, but
it is not the truth.
Q. And you don't recall the school board paying two weeks
of your salary on that garnishment proceeding?
A. They said they paid two weeks salary?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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187 .
Q . Y e s .
A . I f t h e y d i d , t h e y d i d n ' t t e l l me n o t h i n g a b o u t i t .
Q . You h a v e n ' t m i s s e d a p a y d a y ?
A. I o n l y g o t w h a t t h e y p r o m i s e d me, o r w h a t I w a s s u p p o s e d
t o b e g e t t i n g , I r e c k o n .
Q. S i n c e y o u a r e n o l o n g e r c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e W h e a t l e y
S c h o o l D i s t r i c t t h e y r e c e i v e d a l e t t e r f r o m t h e F o r r e s t
V i e w C l i n i c i n F o r r e s t C i t y a b o u t a b a l a n c e t h a t y o u
owe t h e m .
MR. WALKER: Y o u r H o n o r , o b j e c t i o n . M r . B u t l e r
i s s t a t i n g t h i s a s a f a c t , a n d i t h a s n o t b e e n e s t a b l i s h
a s a f a c t a t t h i s p o i n t .
MR. BUTLER: T h e r e i s a l e t t e r o v e r h e r e , a n
e x h i b i t . I t w a s p u t i n t h e r e c o r d .
MR. WALKER: I am s o r r y , I w i t h d r a w my
o b j e c t i o n . I t h o u g h t t h a t w a s a n o t h e r o n e .
Q. (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : Do y o u r e c a l l how l o n g t h a t
b a l a n c e a t F o r r e s t V i e w C l i n i c h a s b e e n o v e r d u e ?
A . W e l l , I j u s t d o n ' t r e m e m b e r e x a c t l y , b u t I k n o w a b o u t i t
Q. I t h a s b e e n d u e f o r s o m e t i m e , h a s n ' t i t ?
A. I j u s t d o n ' t r e m e m b e r e x a c t l y how l o n g .
Q. Now, d i d y o u e v e r owe L a n e B r y a n t , I n c o r p o r a t e d , o f
I n d i a n a p o l i s , I n d i a ?
A. I owe t h e m a b a l a n c e now .
Q. You owe t h e m a b a l a n c e now?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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188.
Q. D i d y o u owe t h e m som e m o n e y b a c k t o O c t o b e r , 1 9 6 7 ?
A. ' 6 7 , I c o u l d n ' t t e l l y o u u n l e s s I g o l o o k a t my b i l l s .
Q. I h a n d y o u a l e t t e r w h i c h w a s s e n t t o t h e P e r s o n n e l
M a n a g e r o f t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t N o . 2 8 , O c t o b e r ,
1 9 6 7 .
A. T h a t i s t h e o n e M r . R i c h a r d s o n t o l d M r . J a c k s o n a b o u t ,
t h a t i s a l l I r e m e m b e r a b o u t i t .
Q. W h a t w a s t h e n a t u r e o f t h a t o b l i g a t i o n ?
A. W h a t d i d y o u h a v e r e f e r e n c e t o ?
Q. W h a t w a s t h e s i z e o f i t a n d how f a r o v e r d u e w a s i t ?
A. W e l l , I w i l l h a v e t o g o b a c k a n d l o o k t o f i n d o u t .
Q. T h i s l e t t e r t o t h e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s t a t e s t h a t t h e
a c c o u n t h a s b e e n d e l i n q u e n t - -
MR. WALKER: Y o u r H o n o r , I w o u l d h a v e t o o b j e c t
t o t h e r e a d i n g o f t h e l e t t e r u n l e s s i t i s p r o p e r l y
i d e n t i f i e d a n d i n t r o d u c e d .
MR. BUTLER: We w i l l d o t h a t a t t h e p r o p e r t i m e .
MR. WALKER: We w i l l o b j e c t t o a n y t e s t i m o n y
a b o u t i t a t t h i s t i m e .
Q. (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : Now, M r s . M e e k s , w h e r e a r e
y o u t e a c h i n g now?
A. Brinkley.
Q. What is your salary?
A. X t h i n k i t i s t h e sam e a s my b r o t h e r t o l d y o u h i s w a s .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
A. I sure do.
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We w o r k t o g e t h e r a n d we g e t t h e sam e t h i n g , a r o u n d
$ 3 0 0 . 0 0 i f we d o n ' t m i s s n o d a y s .
Q. How l o n g h a v e y o u b e e n w o r k i n g t h e r e , t h e sam e p e r i o d
o f t i m e h e h a s ?
A . T h a t 1s r i g h t .
Q . A f t e r y o u w e r e n o t i f i e d y o u w o u l d n o t b e r e h i r e d f o r
t h e y e a r ' 6 8 - 6 9 , d i d y o u t r y t o g e t s i m i l a r m o r e w o r k
e l s e w h e r e ?
A. W e l l , I s u r e d i d .
MR. BUTLER: I b e l i e v e t h a t i s a l l .
CROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR. WALKER:
Q. M r s . M e e k s , p r i o r t o t h e t i m e t h a t y o u r h o u s e w a s b u r n e c
h a d y o u r e c e i v e d a n y c o m p l a i n t s f r o m M r . R i c h a r d s o n o r
t h e p r e v i o u s s u p e r i n t e n d e n t s a b o u t y o u r c r e d i t ?
A . N one a t a l l .
Q. Had y o u h a d a n y s u b s t a n t i a l d i f f i c u l t y w i t h c r e d i t o r s
p r i o r t o t h a t t i m e ?
A. No, I s u r e h a v e n ' t , .
Q. So a n y p r o b l e m s t h a t y o u h a d w i t h r e g a r d t o c r e d i t o r s
t o o k p l a c e a f t e r y o u h a d t h e u n f o r t u n a t e f i r e , i s t h a t
c o r r e c t ?
A. T h a t ' s r i g h t . The f i r e , a n d d o c t o r b i l l s a n d s e n d i n g
t h e c h i l d r e n t o s c h o o l h a s c a u s e d me t o h a v e f i n a n c i a l
p r o b l e m s r i g h t t o d a y . I h a d a l l t h o s e t h i n g s c o n f r o n t -
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
189.
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i n g me; t h r e e c h i l d r e n , tw o c h i l d r e n i n c o l l e g e a n d
o n e i n h i g h s c h o o l , a n d t h e n t h e d o c t o r b i l l s , t h e
c h i l d r e n b e e n s i c k , b i g d o c t o r b i l l s , a n d p a y i n g on
t h e h o u s e a n d a l l t h o s e t h i n g s c o u l d c a u s e a p e r s o n t o
b e c o m e i n d e b t , a n d t h e n n o j o b , t o o .
Q. How m u c h w o u l d y o u h a v e e a r n e d i f y o u h a d b e e n w o r k i n g
i n t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t t h i s y e a r , t o t h e b e s t
o f y o u r k n o w l e d g e ?
A . To t h e b e s t o f my k n o w l e d g e - -
Q. W h a t d i d y o u e a r n l a s t y e a r ?
A. $ 5 , 5 0 0 . 0 0 .
Q. S o y o u w o u l d h a v e e a r n e d a t l e a s t t h a t t h i s y e a r , i s
t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A. Y e a h , I h o p e I c o u l d h a v e e a r n e d t h a t , i f I w o r k e d .
Q. W i t h r e g a r d t o M r s . M i t t i e J a c k s o n , d i d y o u h a v e
o c c a s i o n t o o b s e r v e h e r w o r k w h i l e y o u w e r e e m p l o y e d
t h e r e i n t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l S y s t e m ?
A. I s u r e d i d .
Q. D i d y o u o b s e r v e h e r t o b e f r e q u e n t l y t a r d y o r a b s e n t ?
A . W e l l / t o my own o p i n i o n t h a t ' s n o t t u r e .
Q. Do y o u r e c a l l r e c e i v i n g a n y c o m p l a i n t s y o u r s e l f a b o u t
t h e w o r k o f M r . J a c k s o n ?
A . I s u r e h a v e n ' t .
Q . Do y o u kn o w how t e a c h e r s a t t h e W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l S c h o o l
o b t a i n e d n e e d e d m a t e r i a l s a n d s u p p l i e s ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N I T E D STATES C O U R T REPOR TER
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
— 190.
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191.
Q . How d o t h e y d o t h a t ?
A . W e l l , a s i t h a s b e e n s t a t e d , s o m e t i m e s we b o u g h t
m a t e r i a l s f o r o u r own c l a s s r o o m s o u t o f o u r own p o c k e t .
T h e o n l y t i m e I w a s e v e r g i v e n t h i n g s i s w h e n t h e y
s t a r t e d t h e T i t l e I p r o g r a m . B u t b e f o r e t h e n , we
p r a c t i c a l l y h a d t o b u y e v e r y t h i n g we n e e d e d .
Q. By T i t l e I , d o y o u h a v e r e f e r e n c e t o T i t l e I o f P u b l i c
Law 8 9 1 0 a s t h e e l e m e n t a r y a n d s e c o n d a r y - e d u c a t i o n a c t ?
A . I s u r e d i d .
MR. WALKER: No m o r e q u e s t i o n s .
REGROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q . M r s . M e e k s , I w a n t t o c o r r e c t o n e t h i n g . I w o u l d l i k e
t o b e s u r e a b o u t t h i s . I b e l i e v e y o u s t a t e d y o u r a g e
w a s f o r t y - s i x ?
A. (No r e s p o n s e . )
MRo WALKER: Y o u r H o n o r , h e r a g e i s a l r e a d y i n .
q . (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : I w o u l d l i k e y o u t o c h e c k
y o u r ' c e r t i f i c a t e b y t h e A r k a n s a s D e p a r t m e n t o f E d u c a t i o n
N o v e m b e r 1 4 , 1 9 6 3 , a n d w h a t d i d y o u g i v e a s y o u r a g e
a s t h e n ?
m j g a v e my c o r r e c t a g e , a n d i t i s n t on c o r r e c t . I
k n o w w h a t my b i r t h d a y i s o n .
Q . Doesn’t this certificate show that you were forty-seven
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
A. I sure do.
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192.
i n 1 9 6 3 ?
A . I f i t ' s on t h e r e , i t m u s t b e w r o n g . As I t o l d y o u I
g o t a l o t o n my m i n d , a n d t h i n g s a r e c o n f u s i n g .
Q. Do y o u m i n d m a k i n g t h i s c e r t i f i c a t e a n e x h i b i t t o y o u r
t e s t i m o n y ?
MR. WALKER: I w i l l a g r e e t o t h a t a n d h a v e i t
a d m i t t e d .
(WHEREUPON, t h e d o c u m e n t w a s
m a r k e d D e f e n d a n t s 1 E x h i b i t 6 f o r
i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , r e c e i v e d i n e v i d e n c e
a n d m a d e a p a r t o f t h e r e c o r d h e r e o f . )
Q . (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : I a l s o h a v e h e r e a s t u d e n t ' s
p e r m a n e n t r e c o r d a n d c o p y o f a t r a n s c r i p t f r o m P h i l a n d e i
S m i t h C o l l e g e , L i t t l e R o c k , a n d a s k y o u t o l o o k a t t h a t
a n d s e e w h a t y o u g a v e a s y o u r b i r t h d a t e a t t h a t t i m e ?
A. I c a n ' t h a v e b u t o n e b i r t h d a t e , a n d i t m u s t h a v e g o t
m i x e d u p i n g i v i n g i t d i f f e r e n t t i m e s .
Q. On t h a t S t u d e n t ' s P e r m a n e n t R e c o r d t h a t I h a v e m e n t i o n e d
h e r e , d o e s i t s h o w t h e d a t e o f y o u r b i r t h d a t e a s
A p r i l 1 8 , 1 9 1 6 ?
A. I t s a y s s o on h e r e .
MR. WALKER: Y o u r H o n o r , i t h a s n o t b e e n
e s t a b l i s h e d t h a t i s a s t u d e n t ' s p e r m a n e n t r e c o r d . I am
s u r e h e h a s a c o p y , b u t t h e r e h a s b e e n n o i d e n t i f i c a t i o r
o f i t , a n d s h e c e r t a i n l y h a s n o w a y o f v e r i f y i n g i t s
a u t h e n t i c i t y . I , o f c o u r s e , w o u l d n o t o b j e c t t o i t .
J O A N F, L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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193 .
MRo BUTLER: You o b j e c t t o t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n o f
i t a s a n e x h i b i t t o h e r t e s t i m o n y ?
MR„ WALKER: No, I w o u l d n o t o b j e c t t o i t .
Q . (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : W o u l d y o u m a k e t h i s a n e x h i b i
t o y o u r t e s t i m o n y a s a w i t n e s s ?
A. I s u r e d o .
(WHEREUPON, t h e d o c u m e n t w a s
m a r k e d D e f e n d a n t s ' E x h i b i t 7 f o r
i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , r e c e i v e d i n e v i d e n c e
a n d m a de a p a r t o f t h e r e c o r d h e r e o f . )
MR. BUTLER: I b e l i e v e t h a t i s a l l .
RECROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR. WALKER:
Q. L e t ' s g e t t h i s c l e a r e d u p , M r s . M e e k s , i f y o u d o n ' t
m i n d . I k n o w a woman d o e s n ' t l i k e t o b e a s k e d h e r a g e ,
b u t w h a t w a s y o u r b i r t h d a t e , u n d e r o a t h ?
A . I am a c t u a l l y f o r t y - s i x y e a r s o l d .
Q. B o r n i n 1 9 2 3 ?
A. T h a t ' s r i g h t .
Q . W h a t m o n t h ?
A . A p r i l .
Q. S o , t h a t i s 1 9 2 2 , a n d y o u w i l l b e f o r t y - s e v e n t h i s
A p r i l . Now a t t h e t i m e y o u may h a v e g i v e n a n y o n e y o u r
a g e i n t h e p a s t d i d y o u e x e r c i s e y o u r w o m a n ' s p r e r o g a
t i v e n o t t o a c t u a l l y g i v e y o u r a g e , t h a t i s , c o u l d y o u
h a v e d o n e t h a t ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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194.
Q. D i d y o u f i l l t h i s f o r m o u t h e r e y o u r s e l f , o r w a s t h i s
f i l l e d o u t t o t h e b e s t o f y o u r k n o w l e d g e b y t h e
o f f i c i a l s o f P h i l a n d e r S m i t h C o l l e g e ?
A. By t h e o f f i c i a l s , I n e v e r h a d my h a n d s on t h a t a t a l l .
T h a t c a m e d i r e c t f r o m t h e c o l l e g e .
Q. I n o t i c e t h i s S t u d e n t ' s P e r m a n e n t R e c o r d s e t s o u t t h a t
y o u s a t i s f a c t o r i l y c o m p l e t e d a l l t h e c o u r s e s a t
P h i l a n d e r S m i t h C o l l e g e ?
A . T h a t 1s r i g h t .
Q . W i t h r e g a r d t o D e f e n d a n t s ' E x h i b i t 6 , w h i c h s e t s o u t
y o u r a g e a s f o r t y - s e v e n , d i d y o u f i l l t h i s o u t y o u r s e l f ;
A . N o , I s u r e d i d n ' t .
Q. Do y o u k n o w how t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n g o t on t h e r e ?
A. N o , I c o u l d n ' t s a y . You kn o w s o m e t i m e s t h o s e t h i n g s
g e t m i x e d u p , g i v i n g y o u r a g e a n d a l l .
Q . You a r e u n d e r o a t h t o d a y a n d y o u a r e g i v i n g t e s t i m o n y
t h a t y o u w e r e b o r n t o t h e b e s t o f y o u r r e c o l l e c t i o n
i n 1 9 2 2 ?
A . T h a t ' s r i g h t .
MRo WALKER: T h a n k y o u .
THE COURT: Who d o y o u w o r k f o r now?
A. F o r t h e B r i n k l e y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t u n d e r M r . S m i t h .
THE COURT: T h a t i s t h e p u b l i c s c h o o l d i s t r i c t ?
A . No, s i r , w e l l i t ' s a p u b l i c s c h o o l t o o , b u t I am
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
A . I just don't know what I gave.
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195.
t e a c h i n g b a s i c e d u c a t i o n .
THE COURT: Y e s , I u n d e r s t a n d t h a t , b u t y o u
a r e w o r k i n g f o r t h e p u b l i c s c h o o l d i s t r i c t a t B r i n k l e y ?
A . T h a t ' s r i g h t , u n d e r M r . S m i t h . H e ' s s u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f
t h e p u b l i c s c h o o l s .
THE COURT: M r . S m i t h i s s u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f t h e
B r i n k l e y p u b l i c s c h o o l s ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
THE COURT: A n y t h i n g f u r t h e r . G e n t l e m e n ?
MR. WALKER: We h a v e n o t h i n g , Y o u r H o n o r .
MR. BUTLER: No f u r t h e r q u e s t i o n s .
THE COURT: You m ay s t a n d a s i d e .
WHEREUPON,
BOBBY M ICHAELIS, o n e o f t h e d e f e n d a n t s , c a l l e d o n
b e h a l f o f t h e d e f e n d a n t s , b e i n g d u l y s w o r n , t e s t i f i e d
a s f o l l o w s :
DIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q „ S t a t e y o u r f u l l n a m e , p l e a s e s i r ?
A. B o b b y J a m e s M i c h a e l i s .
Q. How o l d a r e y o u , M r . M i c h a e l i s ?
A. T h i r t y - e i g h t .
Q . W h e r e d o y o u r e s i d e ?
A . G o o d w i n , A r k a n s a s .
Q. A r e y o u o n e o f t h e d e f e n d a n t s i n t h i s c a s e , a n d a membei
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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196.
o f t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l B o a r d ?
A . I am, s i r .
Q. How l o n g h a v e y o u b e e n a m e m b e r o f t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l
B o a r d ?
A. T e n y e a r s i n S e p t e m b e r , I b e l i e v e .
Q. You h a v e b e e n o n c o n t i n u o u s l y f o r t h e p a s t t e n y e a r s ?
A. T h a t ' s r i g h t .
Q. A r e y o u t h e o l d e s t m e m b e r o f t h e b o a r d a t t h i s t i m e
a c c o r d i n g t o t e n u r e — a r e y o u t h e o l d e s t m e m b e r o f t h e
b o a r d , f r o m t h e s t a n d p o i n t o f s e r v i c e o n t h e b o a r d ?
A. T h a t ' s r i g h t .
Q. W h a t i s y o u r b u s i n e s s , M r . M i c h a e l i s ?
A . F a r m i n g .
Q . And how l o n g h a v e y o u b e e n f a r m i n g i n t h e W h e a t l e y
a n d G o o d w i n c o m m u n i t y ?
A. A b o u t t w e n t y - o n e y e a r s .
Q. W h a t i s t h e n a t u r e a n d e x t e n t o f y o u r o p e r a t i o n ?
A. A p p r o x i m a t e l y 700 a c r e s .
Q. You h a v e a f a m i l y ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. W i f e a n d c h i l d r e n ?
A . W i f e a n d t h r e e k i d s .
Q. W h a t a r e t h e i r a g e s ?
A. F o u r t e e n , t w e l v e a n d t h r e e a n d a h a l f .
Q. W h a t i s y o u r c h u r c h a f f i l i a t i o n ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l o i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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197.
Q. While I am on that, there is one thing I forgot to ask
Mr. Wheeler this morning and I would like to know if you
know. Do you know whether or not Mr. Wheeler is
connected with the city council of the town of Wheatley?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. He is a member of the council?
A. He is a member of the city council in Wheatley.
Q. I believe you stated you are a Methodist?
A. Right.
Q. What is Mr. Wheeler’s denomination?
A. He 1s a Methodist.
Q. What position does he hold with the Methodist. Church
of Wheatley?
A. I believe that Mr. Wheeler is an official, I am not
sure.
Q. If you don't know, don't say. I thought you knew.
If you don't know, that is all right. Now, Mr. Michae-
lis, you have been here in the room all day today in
the courtroom, and heard various testimony in regard
to the termination of the contracts of L. R. Jackson,
Mrs. Mittie Jackson, Mrs. Malissa Meeks and Marvin E.
Coleman. Were you on the school board most of the time
they were serving the Wheatley School District, as
teachers at Wheatley Central?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e o e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
A. Methodist.
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198.
Q. D u r i n g t h i s p e r i o d o f t i m e d i d t h e b o a r d h a v e a n y
c o m p l a i n t s a b o u t a n y o f t h e s e t e a c h e r s ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q. T e l l t h e C o u r t w h e t h e r t h e r e w e r e m a n y o r f e w .
A. T h e y w e r e n u m e r o u s .
Q. A b o u t a l l o f t h e m , o r a n y p a r t i c u l a r o n e s ?
A . I w o u l d s a y t h r e e o f t h e m .
Q. Which three, Mr. Michaelis?
A. L. R. Jackson, Mrs. Jackson and Miss Malissa Meeks.
Q . W h a t w a s t h e n a t u r e o f t h e s e c o m p l a i n t s , w e r e t h e y
a l w a y s i n w r i t i n g o r d o c u m e n t e d a s t o r e c o r d ?
A. N o , t h e o n l y r e c o r d s I s a w i s on i n d e b t e d n e s s . T h e y
w o u l d n ' t p a y t h e i r b i l l s .
Q . T h e y w o u l d n ' t p a y t h e i r b i l l s . W h a t w a s t h e n a t u r e
o f t h e o t h e r c o m p l a i n t s ?
A. T h e r e w a s some d i s s a t i s f a c t i o n am ong t h e p e o p l e , t h e
c o l o r e d p e o p l e i n t h e c o m m u n i t y .
Q. I t h a s b e e n p u t i n t h e r e c o r d h e r e a n e x h i b i t
i d e n t i f i e d a s P l a i n t i f f s ' E x h i b i t N o . 7 , w h i c h i s a
c o p y o f t h e m i n u t e s o f t h e s c h o o l b o a r d m e e t i n g on
A p r i l 1 1 , 1 9 6 0 . W e r e y o u on t h e b o a r d a t t h a t t i m e ?
A. I was.
Q. These minutes refer to a hearing that the board had
on some complaints against L. R. Jackson.
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
A. Yes, sir.
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199.
MR. WALKER: Y o u r H o n o r , I o b j e c t t o t h e
c h a r a c t e r i z a t i o n " h e a r i n g . "
Q. (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : W e re y o u p r e s e n t a t t h a t
m e e t i n g ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
MRo WALKER: Now, Y o u r H o n o r , I d o n ' t t h i n k
t h a t i s w h a t t h o s e m i n u t e s s a y . I t s a y s t h e y m e t w i t h
some p e o p l e , i t d o e s n ' t s a y t h e r e w a s a h e a r i n g .
A h e a r i n g h a d h a s o t h e r c o n t e x t .
THE COURT: The e x h i b i t s p e a k s f o r i t s e l f , M r .
W a l k e r . T h e r e w a s a m e e t i n g , y o u c a n c a l l i t a h e a r i n g .
T h e y m e t w i t h t h e s c h o o l b o a r d . You c a n a s k h i m a b o u t
i t .
2 . (m r „ BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : M r . M i c h a e l i s , t h e e x c e r p t
f r o m t h i s e x h i b i t s a y s t h a t " s e v e r a l c o l o r e d c i t i z e n s
m e t w i t h t h e b o a r d a n d v o i c e d t h e i r c o m p l a i n t s o f L . R.
J a c k s o n , p r i n c i p a l o f t h e c o l o r e d s c h o o l . D u e c o n s i d e r s
t i o n w a s g i v e n t o t h e i r c o m p l a i n t s , b u t n o a c t i o n
w a s t a k e n . I t w a s s u g g e s t e d t h a t M r . S t e e l s t u d y t h e
s i t u a t i o n a n d d o w h a t h e t h o u g h t b e s t f o r t h e s c h o o l . "
Now w a s M r . S t e e l t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f s c h o o l s o f
W h e a t l e y a t t h a t t i m e ?
A . He w a s .
Q. A c c o r d i n g t o y o u r r e c o l l e c t i o n , w a s M r . J a c k s o n p r e s e n t
a t t h i s m e e t i n g ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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200.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A .
Q-
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
Who l e d t h e c o m p l a i n t s a g a i n s t h i m a t t h i s m e e t i n g ?
T h e r e w e r e n u m e r o u s c o m p l a i n t s . I b e l i e v e o n e o f t h e
p e o p l e t h a t s p o k e u p t h e l o u d e s t w a s M r . B o l e n .
M r . J o h n B o l e n ?
Y e s , s i r .
Now, M r . M i c h a e l i s , t h e r e c o r d s o f t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l
B o a r d r e f l e c t a n o t h e r m e e t i n g o f t h e b o a r d o f M a r c h 2 5 ,
1 9 6 4 , a c o p y o f w h i c h h a s b e e n i n t r o d u c e d a s P l a i n t i f f s '
E x h i b i t 6 . H a v e y o u s e e n t h i s c o p y o f t h e m i n u t e s i n t h
l a s t d a y o r t w o ?
Y e s , s i r .
W e r e y o u p r e s e n t a t t h a t m e e t i n g ?
Y e s , s i r .
T h e m i n u t e s h e r e r e f l e c t t h e r e w a s a d i s c u s s i o n a n d t h e
b o a r d d e c i d e d t o g i v e J a c k s o n a c h a n c e t o p r e s e n t h i s
s i d e o f t h e p r o b l e m ?
R i g h t .
Was h e l a t e r p e r m i t t e d t o com e b e f o r e t h e b o a r d a n d
d i s c u s s t h i s p a r t i c u l a r p r o b l e m a t t h a t t i m e ?
T h e p r o b l e m s w e r e t o o k c a r e o f b y t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t .
I d o n ' t b e l i e v e t h e b o a r d m e t a g a i n o n t h e s u b j e c t .
T h e a d d e n d u m h e r e t o t h e m i n u t e s s a y s , "M r . J a c k s o n
c l e a r e d t h i s m a t t e r t o t h e s a t i s f a c t i o n o f t h e b o a r d
a n d t h e m a t t e r w a s d r o p p e d . " Do y o u r e c a l l w h a t t h i s
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N I T E D STA TES C O U R T REPOR TER
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
Yes, sir.
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201.
w a s , t h i s p a r t i c u l a r c o m p l a i n t ?
A . T h e r e w e r e c o m p l a i n t s a b o u t h im l e t t i n g M r s . J a c k s o n
com e t o s c h o o l w h e n s h e w a n t e d t o ; c o m p l a i n t s a b o u t t h e i r
n o t p a y i n g t h e i r b i l l s . We h a d n u m e r o u s c o m p l a i n t s
o v e r a p e r i o d o f y e a r s , p e o p l e w a n t i n g t o g a r n i s h e e
t h e i r w a g e s , w h i c h y o u c a n n o t d o , a s a s c h o o l t e a c h e r ,
I u n d e r s t a n d .
Q. D i d y o u a s a b o a r d m e m b e r h a v e f e w o r m a n y c o m p l a i n t s
t o y o u p e r s o n a l l y a b o u t t h i s o u t s i d e t h e r e g u l a r s c h o o l
b o a r d m e e t i n g s ?
A. Y e s .
Q . I s a y d i d y o u h a v e f e w o r m a n y ?
A . S i r ?
Q. D i d y o u h a v e f e w o r m a n y ?
A. M a n y .
Q. How o f t e n w e r e t h e f i n a n c i a l e n t a n g l e m e n t s o f
M r s . J a c k s o n a n d M r s . M e e k s d i s c u s s e d a t b o a r d m e e t i n g s ?
MR. WALKER: O b j e c t i o n , u n l e s s h e h a s some
k n o w l e d g e , Y o u r H o n o r .
A. I c o u l d n ' t s a y e x a c t l y , i t c am e u p f r o m t i m e t o t i m e .
O v e r t h e t e n - y e a r p e r i o d I h a v e b e e n on t h e b o a r d ,
I w o u l d s a y e v e r y e a r we h a d some c o m p l a i n t s . Some
y e a r s m o r e t h a n o t h e r s .
q _ (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : Now i n 1 9 6 7 - 6 8 d i d t h e s c h o o . .
b o a r d e l e c t t o u s e f r e e d o m - o f - c h o i c e p r o c e d u r e f o r
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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202 ,
t h o s e c h i l d r e n i n t h e e l e m e n t a r y s c h o o l s o f W h e a t l e y ?
A. T h a t i s c o r r e c t .
Q. When w e r e t h o s e n o t i c e s o r r e q u e s t s s e n t o u t f o r a n
e x e r c i s e o f a c h o i c e ?
A. Run t h a t b y a g a i n ?
Q. When w e r e t h e r e q u e s t s s e n t o u t ?
A. F i r s t o f M a r c h .
Q. When t h e n d i d t h e b o a r d a c t on t h e r e t u r n o f t h e
a n s w e r s t o t h e s e r e q u e s t s f o r f r e e d o m o f c h o i c e ?
A. I w o u l d s a y t h e 2 n d o f A p r i l * o r s o m e t h i n g l i k e t h a t .
Q . How m u c h t i m e d i d t h e y h a v e i n w h i c h t o m a k e t h e i r
s e l e c t i o n ?
A. T h i r t y d a y s .
Q. Now, a c c o r d i n g t o t h e m i n u t e s o f t h e b o a r d o n M a r c h 1 1 ,
1 9 6 8 , a c o p y o f w h i c h i s e x h i b i t e d t o p l a i n t i f f s 5
t e s t i m o n y , i t i s i n d i c a t e d t h a t o n t h a t n i g h t t h e
b o a r d m o v e d t o r e h i r e c e r t a i n t e a c h e r s f o r t h e y e a r
1 9 6 8 - 6 9 , a n d t o d i s p e n s e w i t h t h e s e r v i c e s o f o t h e r
t e a c h e r s ?
A. Y e s , ' s i r .
Q. A t t h a t t i m e , on M a r c h 1 1 t h , h a d t h e b o a r d d e c i d e d t o
move W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l o v e r t o W h e a t l e y E l e m e n t a r y ?
A . N o .
Q. Why h a d t h e y n o t d e c i d e d t o d o t h a t ?
A. I t w a s n o t knowi e x a c t l y how m a n y p u p i l s w o u l d b e l e f t
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l o i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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Q.
A.
Q.
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A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
i n t h e s y s t e m .
W h a t d i d d e v e l o p u n d e r f r e e d o m - o f - c h o i c e - - how m a n y
p u p i l s e l e c t e d t o l e a v e W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l a n d g o t o
W h e a t l e y E l e m e n t a r y ?
I d o n ' t k n o w t h e n u m b e r t h a t e l e c t e d t o l e a v e , b u t t h e
n u m b e r t h a t w a s l e f t dow n t h e r e w a s a b o u t t h i r t y - t w o
s t u d e n t s o f a l l d i f f e r e n t g r a d e s .
T h i r t y - t w o s t u d e n t s s p r e a d o u t t h r o u g h o u t t h e f i v e
g r a d e s ?
R i g h t .
T h e n w h a t d i d t h e b o a r d d e c i d e t o d o w h e n t h e y f o u n d o u t
t h e o u t c o m e o f t h e f r e e d o m - o f - c h o i c e s e l e c t i o n ?
We f e l t t h e r e w a s n o w a y t o p a y t e a c h e r s t o t e a c h s u c h
f e w p u p i l s p e r g r a d e , w h i c h t h e r e w a s a b o u t s i x , a n d
we h a d t o d i s c o n t i n u e C e n t r a l S c h o o l .
A nd w a s t h a t m a d e o f f i c i a l a t y o u r m e e t i n g o f t h e
s c h o o l b o a r d o n t h e n i g h t o f A p r i l 2 , 1 9 6 8 ?
R i g h t .
D i d M r . S . M. K e n n e d y , who i s S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f
S c h o o l s p r e s e n t l y , h a v e a n y t h i n g t o d o w i t h t h e h i r i n g
o r t h e d e c i s i o n t o t e r m i n a t e t h e c o n t r a c t s o f t h e s e
p e o p l e p r i o r t o h i s o f f i c i a l l y b e c o m i n g a m e m b e r o f t h e
s c h o o l f a c u l t y ?
N o . He w a s c o n s u l t e d on t h e m a t t e r , b u t h e h a d n o
o f f i c i a l —
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d s t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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Q. D i d h e h a v e a n y t h i n g t o d o w i t h t h e d e t e r m i n a t i o n n o t
t o r e h i r e Mrs. J a c k s o n , M r . J a c k s o n a n d M r s . M e e k s ?
A . N o .
Q. D i d h e h a v e a n y t h i n g t o d o w i t h t h e d e t e r m i n a t i o n n o t
t o r e h i r e M r . C o l e m a n .
A. N o .
Q. Now t h e r e w a s a b o a r d m e e t i n g o n A p r i l 2 9 , 1 9 6 8 , a c o p y
o f t h e r e c o r d o f w h i c h h a s b e e n m a d e a n e x h i b i t t o t h e
t e s t i m o n y i n t h i s c a s e , w h i c h s t a t e s t h a t t h e b o a r d m e t
w i t h f o u r t e a c h e r s who h a d b e e n r e l e a s e d f r o m t h e
W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l S c h o o l . And t h e n f u r t h e r s a y s , " a
m o t i o n w a s m a de a n d s e c o n d e d t o a c c e p t M r . K e n n e d y ' s
r e c o m m e n d a t i o n on t h e r e m a i n i n g t e a c h e r s t h a t w e r e t o
b e h i r e d . " D i d t h a t r e f e r t o t e a c h e r s t h a t w o u l d b e
h i r e d t h e r e a f t e r i n t h e s c h o o l s y s t e m ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q. And n o t a n y o f t h o s e w h o s e t e r m i n a t i o n h a d b e e n m a i l e d
o u t , i s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A. T h a t i s my u n d e r s t a n d i n g .
Q . M r . M i c h a e l i s - M r . J a c k s o n , M r s . M e e k s , M r s . J a c k s o n ,
M r . C o l e m a n , t h e d e c i s i o n t o t e r m i n a t e t h e i r c o n t r a c t s
a n d n o t r e h i r e t h e m f o r t h e n e x t y e a r , w a s t h a t i n a n y
m a n n e r b a s e d o n r a c e , c o l o r o r c r e e d ?
A. N o .
Q. W h a t w e r e t h e r e a s o n s ?
J O A N F, L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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205.
Q. In Mr. Coleman's case, did that also go to qualificatior
A. Right.
Q. As to whether or not he would be qualified in time?
A. That is correct.
MR. BUTLER: I believe that is all.
CROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR. WALKER:
Q. What is your education, sir?
A. Senior high.
Q. Did you finish high school, when and where?
A. Wheatley.
Q. When?
A. In 1948.
Q. Have you been to college?
A . N o .
Q. Did you have any children in school in 1960?
A. No.
Q. When did you have your first child enter school?
A. Let me see, I will have to count back fourteen years;
fourteen from sixty-nine would be 1955, I believe, yes,
I had children in school.
Q. Would you have wanted your children to attend the
Wheatley Central School in 1960?
A. No.
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
A. Qualifications and past references.
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206.
Q. W o u l d y o u h a v e w a n t e d y o u r c h i l d r e n t o a t t e n d t h e
s c h o o l , i n 1 9 6 1 ?
A. N o .
Q. 1 9 6 8 ?
A. N o .
Q . Why?
A . B e c a u s e o f t h e q u a l i f i c a t i o n s o f t h e t e a c h e r s .
Q- L e t ' s a s s u m e t h a t a l l t h e t e a c h e r s o v e r t h e r e a r e w h i t e
a n d t h e r e w e r e n o w h i t e s t u d e n t s , b u t y o u r s . W o u l d
y o u h a v e w a n t e d y o u r c h i l d r e n t o a t t e n d t h a t s c h o o l ?
A. Y e s .
Q . You w o u l d h a v e w a n t e d t h e m t o a t t e n d t h a t s c h o o l ?
A . Y e s , i f t h e y w e r e q u a l i f i e d t e a c h e r s .
Q. How d o y o u d e t e r m i n e q u a l i f i e d t e a c h e r s ?
A . By t h e i r a c t i o n s a n d b y t h e i r e d u c a t i o n .
Q. A r e y o u c o n c e r n e d a b o u t e q u a l e d u c a t i o n a l o p p o r t u n i t i e s
f o r a l l p u p i l s i n t h e d i s t r i c t ?
A . I a m .
Q. Why d i d y o u l e t u n q u a l i f i e d t e a c h e r s b e p l a c e d o v e r t h e ]
i n t h e f i r s t p l a c e ?
A . I am o n l y o n e m e m b e r o n t h e b o a r d .
Q. T h a t ' s n o t my q u e s t i o n . How d i d t h e b o a r d l e t
u n q u a l i f i e d t e a c h e r s g e t p l a c e d o v e r t h e r e i n t h e f i r s t
p l a c e ?
A. I am o n l y o n e m e m b e r o n t h e b o a r d .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l b u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
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A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q
T h a t ’ s n o t my q u e s t i o n . How d i d t h e b o a r d l e t u n
q u a l i f i e d t e a c h e r s g e t p l a c e d o v e r t h e r e i n t h e f i r s t
p l a c e ?
You h i r e p e o p l e u p o n r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s , a n d t h e
d e g r e e t h e y h a v e . S o m e t i m e s y o u g o w r o n g .
A l l r i g h t m a y b e y o u d o , b u t y o u h a v e m a n y o p p o r t u n i t i e s
t o r e c t i f y t h a t . Why d i d n ' t y o u f i r e M r . J a c k s o n b e f o r e
1 9 6 8 ?
I f I h a d my w a y , h e w o u l d h a v e b e e n .
D i d y o u e v e r m a k e a m o t i o n a s r e f l e c t e d i n t h e b o a r d
m i n u t e s t o t h e e f f e c t t h a t M r . J a c k s o n s h o u l d b e f i r e d ?
W e l l , w h e n I m a k e a m o t i o n —
A n s w e r my q u e s t i o n " y e s " o r " n o " .
N o .
D i d y o u e v e r m a ke a m o t i o n t h a t a n y o n e o f t h e s e
t e a c h e r s b e f i r e d , y e s o r n o ?
Y e s , w h e n t h e y w e r e f i r e d .
B e f o r e t h e n ?
N o .
B u t y o u w e r e n ' t c o n c e r n e d e n o u g h t o m a k e a m o t i o n
b e f o r e t h e n t o t h e e f f e c t t h a t t h e y b e f i r e d ?
N o .
D i d y o u e v e r g o o v e r t o t h a t s c h o o l a n d t a l k t o M r .
J a c k s o n a n d o f f e r y o u r h e l p w i t h t h e i n s t r u c t i o n a l
p r o g r a m ?
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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208.
Q. D i d y o u e v e r g o i n t o a c l a s s r o o m ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q . W h o s e c l a s s r o o m d i d y o u g o i n ?
A . Do w h a t ?
Q. W h o s e c l a s s r o o m d i d y o u g o i n , a n d w h e n ?
A . I b e l i e v e I s h o o k h a n d s w i t h M r . C o l e m a n , a n d I b e l i e v e
I t a l k e d t o M r s . J a c k s o n . I b e l i e v e I t a l k e d t o
M r . J a c k s o n .
Q. W hen , s i r ?
A . I c o u l d n ' t t e l l y o u w h a t y e a r .
Q. How m a n y y e a r s d i d y o u g o o v e r t h e r e , how m a n y t i m e s
d i d y o u g o o v e r t h e r e ?
A . N o t m a n y .
Q. B u t y o u c a n r e m e m b e r t h e s e o t h e r d a t e s , 1 9 6 0 , 1 9 6 4 ,
w hy c a n ' t y o u r e m e m b e r t h i s d a t e ?
A . D a t e s a n d t h i n g s s l i p my m i n d , some t h i n g s w i l l s t i c k
t o y o u r m i n d b e t t e r t h a n o t h e r s . I c a n r e m e m b e r my
b i r t h d a y , b u t I c a n ' t r e m e m b e r a l o t o f o t h e r p e o p l e ' s .
Q. I am n o t t a l k i n g a b o u t y o u r b i r t h d a y . I w a n t t o know
w h e t h e r y o u s a t i n a c l a s s r o o m a n d o b s e r v e d a t e a c h e r
t e a c h i n g ?
A. Do w h a t ?
Q. D i d y o u e v e r s i t i n a c l a s s r o o m a n d o b s e r v e a t e a c h e r
t e a c h i n g i n t h a t s c h o o l ?
JOAN F. LINES
U N I T E D STATES C O U R T REPOR TER
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
A. Yes, sir, I have been to the school.
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209.
Q. D i d y o u e v e r p a r t i c i p a t e o r a t t e n d a P . T . A . m e e t i n g
a t t h a t s c h o o l ?
A . N o .
Q. You d i d n o t ?
A. N o .
Q. How m any t i m e s d i d y o u g o o v e r t o t h a t s c h o o l a n d o f f e r
M r . J a c k s o n y o u r h e l p i n t h e c o u r s e o f y o u r t e n y e a r s
on t h e b o a r d ?
A . M aybe t w i c e .
Q. T w i c e i n t e n y e a r s ?
A . Y e s .
Q. How m a n y t i m e s d i d y o u g o t o t h e w h i t e s c h o o l i n t h e
c o u r s e o f t h a t t e n y e a r s ?
A. M ay b e a b o u t t h e sam e a m o u n t .
Q. I s n ' t i t t r u e t h a t y o u h e l d t h e b o a r d m e e t i n g s i n t h a t
s c h o o l ?
A. T h a t ' s t r u e , b u t y o u a r e t a l k i n g a b o u t i n t h e c l a s s
r o o m s .
q . i a m - n o t t a l k i n g a b o u t c l a s s r o o m s . How m any t i m e s
d i d y o u g o t o t h a t s c h o d on n o n - b o a r d f u n c t i o n s , t h e
w h i t e s c h o o l I am t a l k i n g a b o u t ?
A . I h a v e b e e n t o q u i t e a f e w b a s k e t b a l l g a m e s .
Q. You h a v e b e e n t o o t h e r a f f a i r s l i k e P . T . A . m e e t i n g s
a t t h e w h i t e s c h o o l , h a v e n ' t y o u ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
A. No.
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Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
You h a v e b e e n t o s p e c i a l p r o g r a m s t h e y h a v e h a d b y t h e
d r a m a t i c s c l u b o r som e c l u b ?
T h a t ' s r i g h t .
B u t y o u h a v e n e v e r b e e n t o o n e o f t h o s e p a r t i c u l a r
a c t i v i t i e s a t t h e b l a c k s c h o o l , h a v e y o u ?
N o .
Do y o u m e a n t o s a y t h a t y o u a r e t e l l i n g t h e J u d g e t h a t
y o u a r e e q u a l l y c o n c e r n e d a b o u t t h e q u a l i t y o f e d u c a t i o r
a t t h e b l a c k s c h o o l ?
I a m .
B u t y o u d i d n ' t g o o v e r t h e r e ?
N o .
Now y o u s a y t h e s e t e a c h e r s a r e n ' t q u a l i f i e d . Do y o u
k n o w w h e t h e r o r n o t M r . J a c k s o n h o l d s a b a c h e l o r ' s
d e g r e e ?
T h e y t e l l me h e d o e s .
Do y o u know i t ?
I h e a r d t h e m s a y a w h i l e a g o .
D i d y o u kn o w i t b e f o r e t h e n ?
Y e s .
Why w a s n ' t h e q u a l i f i e d , t h e n ?
B e c a u s e o f h i s a c t i o n s .
I n 1 9 6 0 , w h e n h e h a d b e e n e m p l o y e d b y t h e d i s t r i c t l e s s
t h a n tw o y e a r s , w a s h e q u a l i f i e d — b e f o r e y o u r e c e i v e d
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
Yes.
2 1 1 .
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Q.
A.
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A.
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A.
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A.
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A.
Q.
a n y c o m p l a i n t s ?
I d i d n ’ t t h i n k s o .
Why d i d n ' t y o u t h i n k s o ?
B e c a u s e o f h i s a c t i o n s .
W h a t a c t i o n s p r i o r t o t h e s e s o - c a l l e d c o m p l a i n t s ?
H i s w i f e w o u l d n ' t p a y h i s b i l l s , o r h e w o u l d n ' t p a y
t h e m , I d o n ' t k n o w w h o .
W o u l d y o u t e l l me o n e b i l l h e d i d n ' t p a y a s o f 1 9 6 0 ?
I c a n ' t r e m e m b e r .
I h a v e a s k e d y o u t o b r i n g a l l t h e m i n u t e s r e f l e c t i n g
t h e t i m e s t h a t t h e b o a r d d i s c u s s e d t h i s m a t t e r . D i d
t h e b o a r d d i s c u s s t h i s m a t t e r a t some t i m e t h a t w o u l d
n o t b e r e f l e c t e d i n t h o s e m i n u t e s ?
He may h a v e p a i d t h e m , b u t t h e p e o p l e w e r e c o m i n g t o
t h e s c h o o l h o u s e c o m p l a i n i n g a b o u t h i m n o t p a y i n g t h e m .
T e l l me o n e p e r s o n who c am e t o t h e s c h o o l h o u s e i n
1 9 6 0 ?
I c a n ' t d o t h a t .
T e l l me o n e who cam e i n 1 9 6 1 ?
I d o n ' t k n o w t h a t .
Name o n e who came i n 1 9 6 4 ? You h a v e a v e r y g o o d
r e c o l l e c t i o n a b o u t 1 9 6 4 .
A l o t o f t h e s c h o o l d i r e c t o r s ' i n f o r m a t i o n i s h e a r s a y ,
Do y o u m e a n t o s a y t h a t y o u n e v e r t o o k t h e t i m e t o
i n v e s t i g a t e t h e v e r a c i t y o f a n y o f t h e s e c o m p l a i n t s ?
J O A N F, L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e o e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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2 1 2 .
Q. W h e r e d i d y o u g o t o i n v e s t i g a t e t h e v e r a c i t y o f t h e
c o m p l a i n t s ?
A . On t h e c r e d i t ?
Q. Any c o m p l a i n t ?
A . To t h e c o l o r e d p e o p l e .
Q. W h i c h c o l o r e d p e o p l e ?
A . W e l l , t h e r e i s a n u m b e r o f t h e m t h a t l i v e r i g h t a r o u n d
— n e i g h b o r s t h a t I g r e w u p a n d p l a y e d w i t h a l l my l i f e .
Q . W h i c h o n e s ?
A . W e l l , t h e S m i t h s a n d G a r d n e r s .
Q . A r e y o u n a m i n g p e o p l e w ho m a d e c o m p l a i n t s ?
A. o h , y e s , t o m e . X h a v e n o w ay o f p r o v i n g i t .
q , Do t h e y come t o t h e b o a r d t o m a ke a n o f f i c i a l c o m p l a i n t :
A. Some o f t h e m d i d .
q . D i d some o f t h e m m a k e c o m p l a i n t s a b o u t t h e c r e d i t o f
M r . J a c k s o n ?
A . Y e s .
Q. W h a t y e a r ?
A. W e l l ; I w o u l d n ' t k n o w . Some p r a c t i c a l l y e v e r y y e a r
t h e y w e r e i n t h e W h e a t l e y s c h o o l s y s t e m .
Q. I s n ' t i t t r u e t h a t y o u n e v e r m ade a m o t i o n t h a t a n y o n e
o f t h e s e t e a c h e r s b e t e r m i n a t e d u n t i l n e a r t h e c l o s e o f
t h e 1 9 6 7 - 6 8 s c h o o l y e a r ?
A. No, I h a v e m a d e n o m o t i o n s .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e o e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
A. Yes, I did, along with other people, colored people.
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2 1 3 .
Q. Now, i s i t f u r t h e r t r u e - -
A. I h a v e b o u g h t i t u p a n u m b e r o f t i m e s , b u t I h a v e
n e v e r m a de a m o t i o n .
Q- C a n y o u s h o w me a n y w h e r e i n t h e s e b o a r d m e e t i n g s t h a t
i t i s r e f l e c t e d t h a t y o u d i d s o ?
A. I t i s n o t i n t h e m i n u t e s .
Q* I h a v e t h e b o a r d m i n u t e s h e r e , a n d I a s k e d M r . B u t l e r
t o g o t h r o u g h t h e m a n d f i n d o u t a n y t i m e , o r a t l e a s t
i d e n t i f y a n y p a r t i c u l a r r e c o r d i n w h i c h t h i s m a t t e r
w a s t a k e n u p , a n d t h e s e m i n u t e s b e g a n o n F e b r u a r y 8 ,
1 9 5 0 , a n d t h e y g o t h r o u g h t h e c u r r e n t s c h o o l y e a r .
T h e r e a r e n ' t t o o m a n y , a n d I w i l l a s k y o u a g a i n w h e t h e r
o r n o t y o u a l l h a d a p o l i c y o f r e c o r d i n g c o m p l a i n t s
a b o u t t e a c h e r s ?
A. Y e s , t h e r e w o u l d n ' t b e r o o m i n t h a t t h i n g t h e r e , i f
y o u p u t e v e r y t h i n g i n t h e r e . I f y o u p u t e v e r y t h i n g
we d i s c u s s e d .
Q. T h e r e i s a l o t o f r o o m i n h e r e t h a t h a s n o t b e e n u s e d ,
a n d t h i s l i t t l e b o o k h a s c o v e r e d f i f t e e n y e a r s , 1 9 5 0
t o 1 9 6 8 ?
A. I am a w a r e o f t h a t .
Q. H a v e y o u e v e r b e e n a n o f f i c e r o f t h e b o a r d ?
A. A t t h i s t i m e I am v i c e - p r e s i d e n t o f t h e b o a r d .
Q. H a v e y o u e v e r b e e n p r e s i d e n t o f t h e b o a r d ?
A. No, s i r .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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214.
Q. W o u l d y o u h a v e w a n t e d y o u r c h i l d t o b e t a u g h t b y a
N e g r o t e a c h e r i n 1 9 6 0 i n W h e a t l e y , A r k a n s a s ?
A. I can't hear you.
Q. Would you have wanted your child, or children, to be
t a u g h t b y a N e g r o t e a c h e r i n 1 9 6 0 i n W h e a t l e y , A r k a n s a s ' 5
A. Would I want my child to attend Central?
A. No, no, to have been taught by a Negro teacher?
A. I don't understand your question.
Q. If you had a choice as to whether or not you had a
w h i t e t e a c h e r o r a b l a c k t e a c h e r f o r y o u r c h i l d r e n i n
1 9 6 0 , w o u l d y o u h a v e s e l e c t e d a b l a c k t e a c h e r ?
A. No.
Q. What caused you to change?
A. What is what?
Q. W h a t h a s c a u s e d y o u t o c h a n g e s o t h a t y o u d o n ' t m i n d
y o u r c h i l d h a v i n g a b l a c k t e a c h e r i n 1 9 6 8 ?
A. Well, I think we have one in the Wheatley School system
that I would agree to her going to.
Q. is that the only one?
A. I think she is qualified.
Q. Is that the only one?
A. There is probably more, I don't know of them.
Q. But you waid ordinarily, all things being equal, not
want your child to attend a black teacher's class,
isn't that true? Just answer yes or no.
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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2 1 5 .
Q. You w o u l d n o t w a n t h e r t o ?
A. I w o u l d n o t .
MR. WALKER: No m o r e q u e s t i o n s .
REDIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. M r . M i c h a e l i s , h a d M r . J a c k s o n a n d M r s . J a c k s o n a l r e a d y
b e e n h i r e d , a n d w e r e t h e y i n W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l S c h o o l
b e f o r e y o u c am e o n t h e s c h o o l b o a r d ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q. D i d M r s . M e e k s a n d M r . C o l e m a n com e i n t o e m p l o y m e n t w i t h
t h e d i s t r i c t a f t e r y o u w e r e o n t h e s c h o o l b o a r d ?
A. Y e s , I b e l i e v e s o .
Q. I w o u l d l i k e t o a s k y o u a g a i n , t h e s c h o o l b o a r d i n
m a k i n g i t s d e c i s i o n n o t t o e x t e n d t h e c o n t r a c t s o f
t h e s e t h r e e p l a i n t i f f s , M r . J a c k s o n , M r s . J a c k s o n a n d
M r s . M e e k s , i n M a r c h o f 1 9 6 8 , w a s t h a t d e c i s i o n b y
t h e b o a r d o r a n y m e m b e r o f t h e b o a r d o n t h e b a s i s o f
c o l o r , r a c e o r c r e e d ?
A. I b e l i e v e t h e b o a r d h i r e s t e a c h e r s o n t h e b a s i s o f
t h e i r q u a l i f i c a t i o n s .
Q. I s t h a t w h a t y o u d i d a s a b o a r d m e m b e r?
A. Y e s .
Q. And a s a b o a r d m e m ber a r e y o u i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e b e s t
e d u c a t i o n a l s y s t e m i n t h i s d i s t r i c t f o r a l l ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
A . No .
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216 .
MR. BUTLER: I b e l i e v e t h a t i s a l l .
THE COURT: J u s t a m i n u t e .
RECROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR. WALKER:
Q. You s a y y o u d i d n o t u s e r a c e i n c o n s i d e r i n g t h e
e m p l o y m e n t o f t e a c h e r s . Do y o u g o o v e r t o t h e s c h o o l
n o w , t o t h e f o r m e r w h i t e s c h o o l - -
A . I c a n ' t h e a r y o u .
Q. D i d y o u g o o v e r t o t h e f o r m e r l y w h i t e s c h o o l f r o m t i m e
t o t i m e now d u r i n g t h i s s c h o o l y e a r ?
A. Y e s , m o r e t h a n I e v e r h a v e .
MR. BUTLER: I m i g h t s a y t h a t h e i s h a r d o f
h e a r i n g .
MR. WALKER: I am s o r r y , I w i l l s p e a k u p
M r . M i c h a e l i s .
Q. (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : Do y o u h a v e a n y c h i l d r e n
i n t h e s c h o o l o v e r t h e r e , t h e h i g h s c h o o l d i v i s i o n ?
A. Y e s .
Q. Do a n y o f t h e m h a v e N e g r o t e a c h e r s ?
A . N o .
Q. Do y o u k n o w w h e t h e r a n y o f t h e N e g r o t e a c h e r s i n t h e
h i g h s c h o o l o r e l e m e n t a r y s c h o o l h a v e w h i t e p u p i l s ?
A. Run t h a t b y o n e m o r e t i m e ?
Q. Do y o u k n o w w h e t h e r a n y o f t h e N e g r o t e a c h e r s h a v e
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
A. Yes, sir, more so now than ever before.
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217 .
white pupils?
Q. How many of them have?
A. One.
Q. How many pupils does that one Negro teacher have?
A. One.
Q. Do you know who that one pupil is?
A. No, I don't.
Q. Have you been advised that that one pupil has a
diseased head and has been held to be unfit to be
with other pupils?
A. Has what?
Q. Have you assigned those teachers on the basis of race?
A. We don't have enough white people to go around.
Q. What about those three classes of all black children?
A. Freedom of choice, they wanted it that way.
Q. Who wanted it that way, the teachers, or the pupils
or the parents?
A. Both I think.
Q. So you gave the pupils in the schools freedom of choice
to select their classes?
S'
A. That's right.
Q. Are you in favor of that practice within the schools?
A. Yes.
Q. What do you do if the pupils decide that they don't
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
A. Yes.
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218,
w a n t t o g o t o a b l a c k t e a c h e r , s a y a l l t h e p u p i l s o v e r
t h e r e d e c i d e t h e y d o n ’ t w a n t a b l a c k t e a c h e r - w o u l d
y o u f i r e t h a t t e a c h e r ?
A. T h e y ' d h a v e t o g o t o a w h i t e t e a c h e r , t h e n ,
Q. W o u l d y o u f i r e t h a t b l a c k t e a c h e r t h e n ?
A. I s u p p o s e y o u ' d h a v e t o , i f s h e d i d n ' t h a v e a n y p u p i l s .
MR. WALKER: T h a n k y o u , s i r ,
WHEREUPON,
BILLY JOE JO N E S , o n e o f t h e d e f e n d a n t s , c a l l e d a s a
w i t n e s s o n b e h a l f o f t h e D e f e n d a n t s , b e i n g d u l y s w o r n ,
t e s t i f i e d a s f o l l o w s :
DIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q- S t a t e y o u r n a m e , p l e a s e , s i r ?
A . B i l l y J o e J o n e s .
Q. How o l d a r e y o u , M r . J o n e s ?
A. T h i r t y - f o u r .
Q. W h e r e d o y o u r e s i d e ?
A. W h e a t l e y , A r k a n s a s .
Q. How l o n g h a v e y o u b e e n a r e s i d e n t o f W h e a t l e y ?
A. S i x y e a r s , I b e l i e v e , s i r .
Q. W h e r e d i d y o u l i v e p r i o r t o t h a t ?
A. G o o d w i n , A r k a n s a s .
Q. How l o n g d i d y o u l i v e a t G o o d w i n ?
A. N i n e y e a r s , I b e l i e v e .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l b u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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2 19 .
Q. W h e r e w e r e y o u b o r n a n d r e a r e d ?
A . I w a s b o r n i n L e e C o u n t y , s o u t h o f G o o d w i n .
Q. D u r i n g a l l o f y o u r l i f e h a v e y o u l i v e d i n t h e n e i g h b o r
h o o d o f W h e a t l e y a n d G o o d w i n , a n d t h e L e e C o u n t y l i n e ,
w h i c h i s c l o s e b y ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q. A r e y o u a m e m b e r a n d d e f e n d a n t o f t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l
B o a r d ?
A. Y e s .
Q. How l o n g h a v e y o u b e e n a m e m b er o f t h e s c h o o l b o a r d ?
A. S e p t e m b e r , ' 6 5 .
Q. W h a t i s y o u r e d u c a t i o n a l b a c k g r o u n d ?
A. H i g h S c h o o l e d u c a t i o n .
Q- W h a t i s y o u r b u s i n e s s ?
A. S a l e s m a n f o r P a r k e r S e e d C om pany o u t o f F o r r e s t C i t y .
Q. How l o n g h a v e y o u b e e n w o r k i n g i n t h i s c a p a c i t y ?
A. J u s t s i n c e t h e f i r s t o f S e p t e m b e r l a s t y e a r .
Q. W h a t d i d y o u d o p r i o r t o t h e n , M r . J o n e s .
A. I o w n e d a n d o p e r a t e d a g r o c e r y s t o r e i n W h e a t l e y .
Q. A r e y o u m a r r i e d ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q. Do y o u h a v e a n y c h i l d r e n ?
A. Y e s , s i r , o n e .
Q "-- . And w h a t i s t h e a g e o f t h a t o n e ?
A. F o u r " y e a r s o l d .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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2 2 0 .
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q-
A.
Q.
A.
Q-
A.
N o t i n s c h o o l y e t ?
No, s i r .
W h a t h a s b e e n y o u r o f f i c i a l c a p a c i t y on t h e s c h o o l
b o a r d s i n c e b e i n g a m e m b e r ?
I h a v e b e e n s e c r e t a r y o f t h e b o a r d s i n c e I h a v e b e e n
o n t h e r e .
And t h a t w a s s i n c e 1 9 6 5 ? S e p t e m b e r , ' 6 5 ?
Y e s , s i r .
I s i t y o u r d u t y a s s e c r e t a r y t o h e l p t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t
w i t h t h e p r e p a r a t i o n o f m i n u t e s ?
No, s i r , h e d o e s t h e m h i m s e l f .
H a s t h a t b e e n t r u e u n d e r M r . R i c h a r d s o n , a s w e l l a s
u n d e r M r . K e n n e d y ?
Y e s , s i r .
Who w a s t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f s c h o o l w h e n y o u c am e
o n t h e b o a r d i n ' 6 5 ?
M r . F l o w e r s .
D i d M r . F l o w e r s h a n d l e t h e m a t t e r o f k e e p i n g r e c o r d s ?
Y e s , s i r .
F o r t h e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t ?
Y e s , s i r .
D u r i n g y o u r t e n u r e s i n c e y o u h a v e b e e n o n t h e s c h o o l
b o a r d , h a v e y o u a t t e n d e d r e g u l a r a n d s p e c i a l m e e t i n g s
o f t h e b o a r d r e g u l a r l y ?
Y e s , s i r .
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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2 2 1 .
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q-
Had t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t b e g u n i t s p r o g r a m
o f d e s e g r e g a t i o n o r i n t e g r a t i o n p r i o r t o t h e t i m e y o u
c a m e o n t h e b o a r d ?
Y e s , s i r .
W h a t p o r t i o n o f t h e s c h o o l s y s t e m w a s i n t e g r a t e d a t
t h e t i m e y o u c am e o n t h e b o a r d ?
F i r s t f o u r g r a d e s , I b e l i e v e .
T h e f i r s t f o u r g r a d e s ?
Y e s , s i r , u n d e r f r e e d o m o f c h o i c e .
Under freedom of choice. Then in 1965-66 what steps
were taken?
I b e l i e v e t h e f i r s t f o u r g r a d e s u n d e r f r e e d o m o f c h o i c e
I m e a n t h e f i r s t e i g h t , I b e l i e v e .
And t h e n i n 1966-67, y o u r s e c o n d y e a r o n t h e b o a r d ?
I b e l i e v e f r e e d o m o f c h o i c e .
F r e e d o m o f c h o i c e ?
I b e l i e v e f r e e d o m o f c h o i c e i n a l l t w e l v e g r a d e s .
During 1967-68?
T h e r e w a s n o t a f r e e d o m o f c h o i c e f o r t h e h i g h s c h o o l s .
D i d t h a t i n c l u d e t h e j u n i o r h i g h a n d t h e h i g h s c h o o l s ?
Y e s , s i r .
And t h i s f r e e d o m o f c h o i c e e x t e n d e d o n l y t o w h a t ?
One t h r o u g h s i x , I b e l i e v e .
Now w e r e y o u p r e s e n t a t t h e m e e t i n g w h i c h w a s h e l d
M a r c h 11, 1968?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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2 2 2 .
Q. Where a determination was made to rehire some teachers
and terminate the contract of others?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. At that time had it been determined by the board,
or been considered by the board, that they would
discontinue Wheatley Central and move those children
into Wheatley Elementary?
A. No, sir, we had made no plans to discontinue Wheatley
Central School.
Q. So, then at the time of your meeting on March 11,
when you voted to terminate the contracts of Mr. Jack-
son, Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Meeks that decision had
not been made or considered?
A. No.
Q. Mr. Jones, why was it decided and determined to give
notice to these three plaintiffs at that time that
their contracts would not be renewed?
A. It was the board's opinion that they were not qualified,
or qualified enough to teach in Central School.
Q. Did the board contemplate hiring other teachers at
that time for the school?
A. Yes, sir. We din't advertise for any at that time
because they still had plenty of time for the next
school year.
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
A. Yes, sir.
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Q. W e r e y o u i n v o l v e d i n t h e s e n d i n g o u t o f n o t i c e s t o
t h e s e c h i l d r e n a n d t h e i r f a m i l i e s r e g a r d i n g f r e e d o m
o f c h o i c e f o r t h e f i r s t f i v e o r s i x g r a d e s ?
A. No, s i r . I k n e w t h e d a t e t h e y w e r e s e n t o u t , I h a d
n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h i t o r a n y t h i n g .
Q. When d i d t h e y g o o u t ?
A. M a r c h 1 s t .
Q. How m uch t i m e d i d t h e y h a v e i n o r d e r t o r e p l y ?
A. T h e y h a d t o b e b a c k w i t h i n t h i r t y d a y s .
Q- I n o t h e r w o r d s , i t w a s i m p o s s i b l e f o r t h e b o a r d t o
m a k e a d e c i s i o n a b o u t w h a t w a s h a p p e n i n g h e r e u n t i l
t h e e n d o f t h e t h i r t y d a y s , i s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q • As s e c r e t a r y o f t h e b o a r d , how m any e l e c t e d u n d e r t h i s
f r e e d o m - o f - c h o i c e p l a n t o l e a v e W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l a n d
g o t o W h e a t l e y E l e m e n t a r y ?
A. A p p r o x i m a t e l y s i x t y .
Q. And how m any d i d t h a t l e a v e a t W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l ?
A. S o m e w h e r e a r o u n d t h i r t y p e o p l e .
Q. W e r e t h e y a l l i n o n e c l a s s o r s c a t t e r e d ?
A. T h e y w e r e d i s t r i b u t e d o v e r f i v e g r a d e s , I b e l i e v e .
Q. D i d t h a t m a ke i t i m p r a c t i c a l t o c o n t i n u e o p e r a t i o n o f
t h a t s c h o o l ?
A. Y e s .
Q. Was i t t h e n t h a t t h e b o a r d , y o u a n d t h e o t h e r m e m b e r s
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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of the board, in a meeting made the determination to
move them all to Wheatley Elementary?
A. Yes, sir, we had no other choice.
Q. Now, Mr. Jones, the exhibit of school board minutes
of the meeting of April 2 9 , 1 9 6 8 , indicate that Mr.
and Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Meeks and Mr. Coleman appeared
before the board at that time to make a request
about continuation of their contracts for the year
1 9 6 8 - 6 9 . Were you present at that meeting?
A. Yes, sir,
Q. What were they told?
A. They were told that we would keep them in mind, I
believe, if we had any openings we thought they might
be qualified to have.
Q. This was after you made the determination to transfer
the pupils of Wheatley Central to Wheatley Elementary,
is that right.
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Did you ask them to file formal applications with you?
A. No, sir, we didn't.
Q. What is the procedure as secretary in connection with
new teachers in the Wheatley School District now,
and what has been the procedure for some time?
A. As far back as I can remember they have to send their
written application and the superintendent usually
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e o s t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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i n t e r v i e w s t h e m ; s o m e t i m e s t h e b o a r d i n t e r v i e w s t h e m .
Q. D o e s t h e b o a r d t o a l a r g e e x t e n t r e l y o n t h e s u p e r i n
t e n d e n t ?
A. Y e s , s i r , h e c h e c k s t h e r e f e r e n c e s a n d e v e r y t h i n g a n d
h e r e p o r t s t o u s .
Q. A f t e r t h e m e e t i n g o n A p r i l 2 9 , 1 9 6 8 , d i d y o u a s
s e c r e t a r y , o r M r . K e n n e d y a s s u p e r i n t e n d e n t , r e c e i v e
a n y a p p l i c a t i o n s f r o m a n y o f t h e s e f o u r p a r t i e s ?
A . N o , s i r .
Q. To h a v e o n f i l e a n a p p l i c a t i o n i n t h e e v e n t t h e r e w a s
a v a c a n c y ?
A . N o t u p u n t i l t o d a y we h a v e n o t r e c e i v e d t h e m .
Q. When y o u c o n s o l i d a t e d W h e a t l e y c e n t r a l a n d W h e a t l e y
E l e m e n t a r y , d i d y o u h a v e a n y v a c a n c i e s i n t h e new
i n t e g r a t e d s c h o o l ?
A. I am s u r e we d i d b e c a u s e we l e t q u i t e a f e w w h i t e
o n e s g o t h a t y e a r .
Q. B u t y o u h a d a l r e a d y h i r e d p e o p l e ?
A. Y e s , we h a d r e p l a c e d t h e m .
Q. D i d y o u h a v e a n y p l a c e s f o r t h e s e p e o p l e o n t h e n i g h t
o f A p r i l 2 9 , w h e n t h e y m e t w i t h y o u ?
A. No, s i r .
Q. Now a f t e r t h a t t i m e , a f t e r M r . K e n n e d y cam e i n , how
m any t e a c h e r s d i d y o u h i r e a f t e r J u l y 1 s t ?
A. I d o n ' t k n o w e x a c t l y .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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226 .
Q. Did you hire a principal?
A. Yes, sir, and I believe three in the elementary.
Q. Did you have any teachers resign who had been hired
just before the time of the beginning of school?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. And who were they?
A. I don't remember the lady's name. I heard it here in
the courtroom today, but I don't remember her name.
Q. You don't remember her name? Was it Mrs. Haley?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. You know the reason for her resignation?
A. No, sir.
Q. Now, Mr. Jones, the school board in making its determina
tion, you and other members of the school board, not
to rehire Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Meeks and
Mr. Coleman, was this determination based on race,
color or creed?
A. No, sir.
Q. What was it based on?
A. It was based on — they didn't have their qualifica
tions, they were not doing their job at Wheatley
Central school.
Q. Had you any complaints about them from their creditors?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Are you familiar with some of those?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N I T E D S T AT ES C O U R T REPOR TER
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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227.
Q. Which ones in particular?
A. Mrs. Meeks I am most familiar with.
Q. You are more familiar with her?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. What respect to Mrs. Meeks, what complaint do you
recall offhand?
A. If I remember right her check was garnisheed by some
automobile finance company.
Q. How did you know this?
A. Because I have to sign all the warranties that go
to the school.
Q. And what was this check for -- for what period of
time?
A. I don't remember — her wages they were being garnisheec
all of them amounted to her full-month's check —
but they served them at the middle of the month and
we had to pay for two weeks. That was all she had
coming at that time she was served.
Q. Then you did sign the check to the finance company?
A. Whether it was mailed to the finance company, I don't
know, but I did sign it.
Q. Was it made payable to the finance company?
A. Yes, sir.
q . Do you know of any other indebtedness there that was
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
A. Yes, sir. A couple of them.
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b r o u g h t t o t h e a t t e n t i o n o f t h e s c h o o l b o a r d a t t h i s
m e e t i n g ?
A . We r e c e i v e d a l e t t e r t h e l a t t e r p a r t o f ' 6 7 , I b e l i e v e ,
f r o m F r a n k i e H e m i n g w a y t h a t h a s a s e r v i c e s t a t i o n
t h e r e i n W h e a t l e y , w i t h h i s nam e a n d M r s . M e e k s nam e
b o t h on i t , a u t h o r i z i n g t h e s c h o o l b o a r d t o p a y h i m
w h a t t h e s c h o o l o w e d h e r , w h i c h t h e s c h o o l c o u l d n o t
d o . We t o o k n o o t h e r a c t i o n o n t h a t .
Q. S i n c e y o u h a v e b e e n o n t h e s c h o o l b o a r d h a v e t h e r e
b e e n o t h e r c o m p l a i n t s a n d o t h e r c o m m u n i c a t i o n s t o
t h e s c h o o l b o a r d a b o u t h e r i n d e b t e d n e s s ?
A. No, s i r , I d o n ' t r e c a l l a n y r i g h t now o t h e r t h a n
D i x i e - F u r n i t u r e - C o m p a n y d e a l .
Q. D i d s h e owe t h e f u r n i t u r e c o m p a n y ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q. H a s t h a t b e e n b r o u g h t t o t h e a t t e n t i o n o f t h e s c h o o l
b o a r d ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
q . i h a v e h e r e a l e t t e r f r o m t h e c r e d i t m a n a g e r o f L a n e
B r y a n t , I n c . , a d d r e s s e d t o t h e p e r s o n n e l m a n a g e r o f
W h e a t l e y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t N o . 28 —-
MR. WALKER: I o b j e c t t o i t s a d m i s s i o n .
Q. (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : Do y o u i s s u e c h e c k s i n
p a y m e n t o f p e r s o n n e l —
A . Y e s , s i r .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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MR. WALKER: I o b j e c t .
Q- (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : Was t h i s l e t t e r c a l l e d t o
y o u r a t t e n t i o n ?
A. No, s i r .
MR. WALKER: I w o u l d l i k e t o move t h a t t h a t b e
s t r i c k e n „
THE COURT: He s a i d h e d i d n ’ t k n o w a n y t h i n g
a b o u t i t .
Q. (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : M r . J o n e s , w h e r e d i d y o u
h e a r t h e . c o m p l a i n t s a b o u t q u a l i f i c a t i o n s o f t h e s e
t e a c h e r s ?
A. W e l l , a l o t o f c o m p l a i n t s j u s t a r o u n d i n t h e n e i g h b o r
h o o d f r o m t h e c o l o r e d t e a c h e r s t h a t t h e y w e r e n o t
s a t i s f i e d w i t h t h e m .
Q. T h e c o l o r e d t e a c h e r s ?
A. X m e a n t h e c o l o r e d p a t r o n s w e r e n o t s a t i s f i e d w i t h t h e
c o l o r e d t e a c h e r s a t W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l s c h o o l .
Q. D u r i n g y o u r t e n u r e o n t h e s c h o o l b o a r d h a v e y o u h e a r d
f e w o r n u m e r o u s c o m p l a i n t s ?
A . I c o u l d n ’ t s a y how m a n y .
MR0 WALKER: P l e a s e n o t e o u r e x c e p t i o n s .
Q. (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : B u t t h e r e h a v e b e e n s o m e ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
MR. BUTLER: I b e l i e v e t h a t i s a l l .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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CROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR. WALKER:
Q. You a r e M r . B i l l y J o e J o n e s a n d y o u s i g n e d a l l t h e s e
b o a r d m i n u t e s , b u t y o u d i d n ' t m a k e o u t t h e b o a r d m i n u t e s
y o u r s e l f , d i d y o u ?
A . N o .
Q. So y o u j u s t m o r e o r l e s s e n d o r s e d w h a t t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n
p r e p a r e d ?
A . T h a t 1s r i g h t .
Q. You d o n ' t know t h e a c c u r a c y o f t h e m i n u t e s , d o y o u ?
A . Y e s , I d o .
Q. You kn o w t h e y a r e a l l a c c u r a t e ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. A r e t h e y f u l l a n d c o m p l e t e ?
A. Y e s , a s f a r a s t h e b o a r d w a n t s t h e m .
Q. S o t h e r e h a v e b e e n m a n y t h i n g s , h a v e t h e r e n o t , t h a t
t h e b o a r d w a n t e d t o c o n c e a l t h a t t h e y d i d n o t p u t i n
t h e s e m i n u t e s , i s t h a t t r u e ?
A. N o t h i n g i m p o r t a n t .
Q. N o t h i n g i m p o r t a n t ?
A. A ny b u s i n e s s t h a t i s d i s c u s s e d t h a t i s i m p o r t a n t i s p u t
i n t h e m i n u t e s .
Q. S o y o u a r e c h a n g i n g y o u r e a r l i e r s t a t e m e n t now?
A. We t a l k e d a b o u t a l o t o f t h i n g s .
Q. I s n ' t i t t r u e t h a t y o u s i g n e d a f o r m 4 4 1 (b) w i t h t h e
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N I T E D S T A T E S C O U R T REPOR TER
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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U n i t e d S t a t e s D e p a r t m e n t o f H . E . W . s e t t i n g o u t t h a t y o u
a r e g o i n g t o c o m p l y w i t h t h e g u i d e l i n e s f o r 1965
u n t i l t h i s d a t e ?
A . I d o n ' t k n o w , I am n o t f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e f o r m n u m b e r .
Q . D i d y o u s i g n a f o r m s t a t i n g t h a t y o u w e r e g o i n g t o c o m p l
w i t h t h e g u i d e l i n e s o f t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f E d u c a t i o n ?
A . T h a t ' s r i g h t .
Q . Do y o u k n o w w h e t h e r t h o s e g u i d e l i n e s r e q u i r e y o u t o
c l o s e a n y s m a l l a n d i n a d e q u a t e s c h o o l t h a t y o u h a v e ?
A . N o , I d i d n o t . N o t a t t h a t t i m e .
Q. I n 1 9 6 5 i t d i d n o t ?
A. N o t t o my own k n o w l e d g e i t d i d n o t .
Q. D u r i n g 1 9 6 6 - 6 7 i t d i d n o t ?
A . N o t t o my own k n o w l e d g e .
Q. I s n ' t i t p r e c i s e l y t h e r e a s o n t h a t t h e H„E„W» t e a m
c am e down t o t a l k w i t h y o u a l l ?
A. I w a s n ' t a w a r e t h a t t h e H QE 0W0 t e a m c am e d o w n , I d i d n ' t
s e e t h e m .
Q. You m e a n y o u d i d n o t d i s c u s s t h e H»E„W„ t e a m v i s i t i n g
i n y o u r b o a r d m e e t i n g ?
A . I may h a v e d i s c u s s e d i t b u t I d i d n o t s e e t h e m .
Q. I am a s k i n g y o u , d i d y o u d i s c u s s i t ?
A . I d o n ' t r e m e m b e r .
Q. You d o h 1t r e m e m b e r . Do y o u r e m e m b e r r e m e m b e r h a v i n g t o
t r a n s f e r a N e g r o t e a c h e r f r o m t h e N e g r o s c h o o l t o t h e
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N I T E D STA TES C O U R T REPOR TER
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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w h i t e s c h o o l i n o r d e r t o s a t i s f y H . E . W . ?
A . Y e s , s i r . I r e m e m b e r t h e m t a l k i n g a b o u t i t . We a l s o
t r a n s f e r r e d t w o g r a d e s , o r p a r t o f tw o g r a d e s .
Q. C o u l d y o u s a y t h a t w a s i m p o r t a n t ?
A . Y e s , t h a t ' s r i g h t .
Q. Can y o u s h o w me a n y w h e r e i n t h e s e m i n u t e s t h a t y o u
r e c o r d e d t h i s ? I h a v e g o n e t h r o u g h t h e m s i n c e ’ 6 5 ,
u n t i l y o u b e c a m e s e c r e t a r y , t o t h e e n d a n d i t e n d s
h e r e . C an y o u sh o w me o n e p o i n t w h e r e y o u m a ke m e n t i o n
o f t h e f a c t t h a t H .E J . e v e n c am e t o t o w n ?
A . I f y o u c o u l d n ' t f i n d o n e , I am s u r e I c o u l d n ' t .
Q. I s n ' t i t t r u e t h a t y o u r e c o g n i z e d , a n d t h e o t h e r b o a r d
m e m b e r s r e c o g n i z e d , t h a t i t w a s n o t o n l y i m p r a c t i c a l b u t
e d u c a t i o n a l l y u n d e s i r a b l e t o h a v e a s c h o o l o p e r a t e f o r
125 p u p i l s w i t h f i v e g r a d e s ?
A . P r a c t i c a l , n o .
Q. B u t e d u c a t i o n a l l y u n d e s i r a b l e ?
A . F o r f i v e g r a d e s a n d o n e - h u n d r e d t w e n t y - f i v e p u p i l s , n o .
Q . On t h a t p a r t i c u l a r s i t e ?
A . N o .
Q . W h a t e f f o r t s d i d t h e b o a r d , t o y o u r k n o w l e d g e , t a k e
t o b r i n g t h e q u a l i t y o f t h a t s c h o o l , t h a t C e n t r a l
S c h o o l , u p t o t h e q u a l i t y o f t h e W h e a t l e y s c h o o l t h a t
t h e y r e c o r d e d i n t h e s e m i n u t e s ?
A . We g o t r i d o f f o u r t e a c h e r s . T h a t i s why we a r e h e r e
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N I T E D STATES C O U R T REPORTER
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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t o d a y .
Q. O t h e r t h a n t h a t , w h a t d i d y o u d o ?
A . T h a t w a s t h e s t a r t , I w o u l d t h i n k .
Q. B e s i d e s t h a t , c a n y o u t h i n k o f o n e t h i n g t h a t y o u d i d ?
A . N o t o f f h a n d .
Q. Now y o u s t a t e t h a t t h e r e h a d b e e n a g a r n i s h m e n t f i l e d
a g a i n s t M r s . M e e k s , i s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A . T h a t ' s r i g h t .
Q. Do y o u h a v e t h a t g a r n i s h m e n t i n y o u r r e c o r d s ?
A . N o .
Q. Why d o n ' t y o u ?
A . I t w a s n e v e r b r o u g h t b e f o r e t h e b o a r d .
Q. W e l l , how d i d y o u k n o w a b o u t i t ?
A. B e c a u s e I h a d t o s i g n i t .
Q . Why d i d n ' t y o u p u t s o m e t h i n g a b o u t i t i n y o u r m i n u t e s ?
A . T h e r e w a s n o t h i n g t h e b o a r d c o u l d d o a b o u t i t , why
s h o u l d w e . By l a w we h a d t o p a y i t .
Q . How d i d y o u kn o w i t w a s t h e l a w ? D i d s h e h a v e a l a w y e r
b e f o r e g a r n i s h m e n t ?
A . N o , i t w a s s e r v e d b y l a w o f f i c i a l s ?
Q. W h a t w a s t h e d a t e o f t h e g a r n i s h m e n t ?
A. I d o n ' t r e m e m b e r .
Q . W h a t w a s t h e y e a r ?
A . ' 6 6 , I b e l i e v e .
Q. I s t h a t t h e y e a r h e r h o u s e w a s b u r n e d u p ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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A . I d i d n ' t k n o w h e r h o u s e b u r n e d .
Q* I s t h a t r i g h t ? You t a l k e d t o a l o t o f c o l o r e d p e o p l e
y o u s a i d . T h e y d i d n ' t t e l l y o u ?
A . I t w a s n ' t n o n e o f my b u s i n e s s i f h e r h o u s e b u r n e d .
T h a t ' s n o t s c h o o l b u s i n e s s , i s i t ?
Q. S i r , w o u l d i t h a v e b e e n i m p o r t a n t t o y o u t o h a v e know n
t h a t s h e h a d e x p e r i e n c e d t h i s k i n d o f a m i s f o r t u n e
b e f o r e making a j u d g m e n t a b o u t h e r a b i l i t y t o m e e t h e r
c r e d i t o r s ?
A . I t m i g h t h a v e .
Q. You d i d n ' t i n v e s t i g a t e t o d e t e r m i n e w h e t h e r o r n o t
a n y t h i n g l i k e t h i s w a s i n f a c t t h e r e a s o n f o r h e r f i n a n
c i a l m i s f o r t u n e ?
A . N o .
Q. I w i l l a s k y o u w h e t h e r o r n o t y o u h e a r d t h e t e s t i m o n y
o f a p r e v i o u s w i t n e s s , M r . M i c h a e l i s ?
A . Y e s , I h e a r d t h a t .
Q. And y o u h e a r d h i m s a y t h a t h e h a d b e e n w a t n t i n g t o g e t
r i d o f t h e s e t e a c h e r s f o r a l o n g t i m e , i s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A . T h a t i s w h a t h e s a i d .
Q. Had h e t o l d y o u t h a t h e w a n t e d t o g e t r i d o f t h e m f o r
a l o n g t i m e ?
A . Y e s .
Q . How m a n y t i m e s h a s h e t o l d y o u , a n d on w h a t d a t e s ?
A . I d o n ' t r e m e m b e r e x a c t d a t e s .
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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Q . W e l l , r e c a l l i t t o t h e b e s t o f y o u r r e c o l l e c t i o n ?
A. X r e m e m b e r o n e f o r s u r e M a r c h 1 1 , 1 9 6 8 .
Q. M a r c h 1 1 , 1 9 6 8 . W h a t a b o u t A p r i l 1 7 , 1 9 6 7 , y o u r e c a l l
w h a t h a p p e n e d on t h a t d a t e ?
A . N o t o f f h a n d , I d o n ' t .
Q. I s h o w y o u t h e b o a r d m i n u t e s f o r A p r i l 1 7 , 1 9 6 7 , a n d
w i l l a s k y o u t o r e a d I t e m T h r e e ?
A . "U pon m o t i o n b y M i c h a e l i s a n d s e c o n d e d b y J o n e s , t h e
b o a r d w a n t e d t o e m p l o y J o a n L o n g a n d A l p h a F r e n c h a s
w h i t e t e a c h e r s f o r H e a d S t a r t . M a r y E l l e n G e h r i n g w a s
s e l e c t e d a s t h e t h i r d w h i t e t e a c h e r n e e d e d . T h e N e g r a
t e a c h e r s w e r e n o t s e l e c t e d . "
Q. W h a t k i n d o f t e a c h e r s ?
A. N e g r o t e a c h e r s .
Q. Now t h a t w a s o n A p r i l 1 7 , 1 9 6 7 , i s t h a t r i g h t ?
A. R i g h t .
Q. Now, I c a l l y o u a t t e n t i o n t o J u n e 5 , 1 9 6 7 , a n d a s k y o u
t o r e a d I t e m N u m b er F o u r .
A. " M o t i o n b y M i c h a e l i s a n d s e c o n d e d b y J o n e s t o e m p l o y
a l l c o l o r e d t e a c h e r s t e a c h i n g i n C e n t r a l S c h o o l f o r t h e
n e x t y e a r . "
Q. S o M r . M i c h a e l i s , i n s t e a d o f a s k i n g t h a t t h e s e t e a c h e r s
b e f i r e d , a c t u a l l y a s k e d t h a t t h e y b e h i r e d , i s n ’ t
t h a t t r u e ?
A. T h a t ' s w h a t i t s a y s t h e r e .
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
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Q. Why w o u l d h e m a ke a m o t i o n , a n d y o u s e c o n d a m o t i o n , t o
h a v e t h e s e t e a c h e r s r e h i r e d i f t h e y w e r e s u c h d e t r i m e n t s
t o t h e e d u c a t i o n a l p r o g r a m o f t h e s c h o o l s y s t e m ?
A . M aybe a t t h a t t i m e t h e y w e r e n o t .
Q . When d i d t h e y b e c o m e d e t r i m e n t a l t o t h e e d u c a t i o n a l
s y s t e m ?
A. T h e y j u s t k e p t o n h a v i n g r e p o r t s on t h e m a n d e v e r y t h i n g .
Q. B u t a s o f J u n e 5 , 1 9 6 7 , t h e y w e r e s a t i s f a c t o r y , i s t h a t
r i g h t ?
A . M ay b e n o t s a t i s f a c t o r y , b u t t h e y —
Q. You d i d n ' t h a v e s u f f i c i e n t r e a s o n t o d i s c h a r g e t h e m a t
t h a t t i m e ?
A . M a y b e n o t .
Q . Can y o u s t a t e y e s o r n o ?
THE COURT: The r e c o r d s p e a k s f o r i t s e l f ,
M r . W a l k e r .
Q. (MR. WALKER, c o n t n u i n g ) : You h a v e h a d a l o t o f p r o b l e m s
w i t h H . E . W . a n d i n t e g r a t i o n p l a n s , d i d n ' t y o u ?
A . No, s i r . N o t a l o t o f p r o b l e m s .
Q . You h a d some p r o b l e m s , d i d n ' t y o u ?
A . I d o n ' t k n o w o f a n y .
q . x c a l l y o u r a t t e n t i o n t o A u g u s t 1 4 , 1 9 6 7 , a n d a s k y o u
t o r e a d t h e n e x t t o t h e l a s t p a r a g r a p h ?
A. "Motion m a de a n d s e c o n d e d t o c a l l W a s h i n g t o n , a n d a s k
t h e H e a l t h , E d u c a t i o n a n d W e l f a r e o f f i c e why o u r w h i t e
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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c h i l d r e n a r e b e i n g a l l o w e d t o g o t o B r i n k l e y s c h o o l a f t e
t h e y r e f u s e d o u r c o l o r e d c h i l d r e n "
Q. T h a t i n d i c a t e d t h a t y o u w e r e h a v i n g p r o b l e m s w i t h H .E . W .
A . N o t n e c e s s a r i l y .
Q . B u t i s n ' t i t t r u e t h a t t h e y w e r e c a u s i n g m o n e y t o b e
t a k e n a w a y f r o m y o u r s c h o o l d i s t r i c t b y y o u r w h i t e
y o u n g s t e r s g o i n g t o B r i n k l e y ?
A. N o .
Q. Why d i d y o u e v e n c a l l H . E . W . a b o u t t h i s ?
A. I t s t a t e s r i g h t t h e r e i n t h e m i n u t e s why we w e r e g o i n g
t o c a l l o
Q. S t a t e i t a g a i n i n d e t a i l ?
THE COURT: He j u s t r e a d i t .
MSo BUTLER, T h e m i n u t e s s p e a k f o r t h e m s e l v e s ,
Y o u r H o n o r .
MR. WALKER: He s a i d t h i s w a s n ' t i m p o r t a n t , a n d
o n l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s w e r e p u t i n t h e m i n u t e s .
THE COURT: You c a n a s k h i m i f h e h a d a n y o t h e r
r e a s o n f o r w h a t i t s a y s .
Q. (MR. WALKER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : Do y o u h a v e a n y o t h e r r e a s o n ;
A. J u s t w a n t e d t o f i n d o u t .
Q. So y o u d o a c k n o w l e d g e t h a t a n i n s i g n i f i c a n t m a t t e r w a s
p u t i n t h e m i n u t e s ?
A. (No r e s p o n s e . )
Q. Was M r . K e n n e d y p r e s e n t a t t h e m e e t i n g w h e r e t h e
JOAN F. LINES
U N I T E D STATES C O U R T REPOR TER
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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d e c i s i o n w a s m a d e t o t e r m i n a t e M r . J a c k s o n , M r s . J a c k s o n
a n d M r s . M e e k s ?
A. I d o n ' t r e c a l l w h e t h e r h e w a s o r n o t .
Q. W h a t i s i t a b o u t y o u r m e m o r y ? You r e c a l l t h e c o m p l a i n t s
b u t y o u c a n ' t r e c a l l w h a t h a p p e n e d a t t h e m e e t i n g o f s u c h
i m p o r t a n c e . How i s t h a t , s i r ?
A . I t w a s a t a m e e t i n g i m m e d i a t e l y a f t e r t h a t a n d w h e t h e r
h e w a s t h e r e t h a t n i g h t I d o n ' t r e m e m b e r ,
Q. I w a n t y o u t o s t a t e w h e t h e r h e w a s , b y y o u r own s i g n a t u i
f r o m t h e m i n u t e s o f M a r c h 1 1 , 1 9 6 8 ?
A . " T h e b o a r d m e t w i t h M r . S i d n e y K e n n e d y a s p r o s p e c t i v e
s u p e r i n t e n d e n t . M o t i o n w a s m a d e a n d s e c o n d e d t o h i r e
M r . K e n n e d y a s s u p e r i n t e n d e n t . "
Q. I t c a r r i e d u n a n i m o u s l y , d i d i t n o t ?
A. T h a t ' s r i g h t .
Q. R e a d t h i s s e n t e n c e . ( P o i n t i n g . )
Q. " M o t i o n m a d e a n d s e c o n d e d t o r e l e a s e t h e f o l l o w i n g
t e a c h e r s a t t h e e n d o f t h i s y e a r : J a m e s C o o p e r , L . R.
J a c k s o n , M a l i s s a M e e k s , M r s . L . R. J a c k s o n . I t c a r r i e d
u n a n i m o u s l y . "
Q. Now d i d M r . K e n n e d y a t t h a t p o i n t m a k e a n y r e c o m m e n d a t i o n
t o y o u a b o u t r e t e n t i o n o r t e r m i n a t i o n o f t e a c h e r s ?
A . N o .
Q. D i d h e m a k e a n y s t a t e m e n t s t h a t n i g h t ?
A . I am s u r e h e d i d , h e w a s i n t e r e s t e d i n w ho w o u l d b e
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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Q.
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rehired for the next year because he was the one that
was going to have to work with them.
Did you tell Mr. Jackson there was going to be a
position open for a superintendent and he could reapply
for it?
Mr. Jackson wasn't there that night.
Did you ever tell him, was my question?
No.
Did any body tell him to your knowledge?
Not to my knowledge they did not.
Did you consider him for employment as superintendent
of the school district?
I didn't.
Did the board consider him?
They discussed the possibilities.
They did discuss the possibility in comparison with
Mr. Kennedy, is that right?
I can't answer for the board.
I am asking you as the secretary?
I guess so.
And they decided they would not give him the opportunity
to apply before hiring Mr. Kennedy, is that right?
No, Mr. Kennedy was hired the same night that Mr. Jacksci
was released, I believe. Isn't that what the minutes
state there?
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e o S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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Q- All right, that's what you've stated. At that point
did Mr. Richardson give you a written statement setting
out that he was not recommending the retention of these
teachers ?
A. No, sir.
Q. Did Mr. Richardson ever make a recommendation to the
effect that these teachers would not be rehired?
A. I don't know whether he made a recommendation that they
would not be hired or not. He may have.
Q . You don't know?
A. No.
Q. Did he ever give a statement about these teachers in
writing?
A. I don't remember.
Q. I want you to look through these minutes from*March 11,
and thereafter and shortly before, and tell me whether
or not there is any note to the effect that Mr. Richard
son recommended the termination of these teachers?
A. (Observing.) No point in going any further than that.
(Mr. Walker stops turning pages.)
Q. So your records do not reflect it?
A. There is some material that they would not be there the
next year.
Q. So, Mr. Richardson made no recommendation about these
teachers, yes or no?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
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A. After we fired them, no.
Q. You fired them?
A. I said after the release of the teachers - not fired
them - we decided not to renew their contract.
Q. Before they were terminated, did Mr. Richardson make
any recommendations to you about that?
A. No, he never made a recommendation either way.
Q. He never made a recommendation either way. Did he tell
you that Mr. Jackson was unqualified to teach the fifth
grade?
A. He might not have told us he was unqualified. He gave
us the reports that he had heard on him.
Q. So the extent of your communication with the previous
superintendent about these four teachers who were
dismissed was the reports that he received from the
community and the creditors about their work?
A. That's right.
Q. So he did not come and give you a detailed statement
setting out how these particular teachers measured up
to the particular teachers in the Wheatley School
District, did he?
A. No.
MR. WALKER: Thank you.
THE COURT: Anything further, Mr. Butler?
MR. BUTLER: Yes, sir.
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
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241 .
REDIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. M r . J o n e s , t h i s m e e t i n g o n M a r c h 1 1 , 1 9 6 8 , i n w h i c h i t
w a s d e t e r m i n e d t o t e r m i n a t e t h e c o n t r a c t s o f c e r t a i n
t e a c h e r s t h e f o l l o w i n g y e a r ' 6 8 - 6 9 , i n c l u d e d i n t h a t w a s
t h e nam e o f J a m e s C o o p e r . Was h e a w h i t e t e a c h e r o r
b l a c k ?
A. He w a s w h i t e .
MR. BUTLER: I b e l i e v e t h a t i s a l l
MR. WALKER: No m o r e q u e s t i o n s .
THE COURT: F o r w h a t r e a s o n s w e r e M r . C o o p e r ' s
s e r v i c e s t e r m i n a t e d ?
A . We w e r e n o t s a t i s f i e d w i t h h i s w o r k .
THE COURT: You m ay s t a n d a s i d e . How m a n y m o r e
w i t n e s s e s d o y o u h a v e , M r . B u t l e r ?
MR. BUTLER: We h a v e t h r e e m o r e .
THE COURT: I t h i n k we h a d b e t t e r r e c e s s f o r t h e
d a y i f y o u h a v e t h a t m a n y m o r e w i t n e s s e s .
C o u r t i s i n r e c e s s .
(WHEREUPON, t h e t r i a l i n t h e
a b o v e - e n t i t l e d c a s e w a s a d j o u r n e d
a t 5 : 0 0 o ' c l o c k p . m . , u n t i l t h e
f o l l o w i n g m o r n i n g a t 1 0 : 1 5 o ' c l o c k
a . m . , a t w h i c h t i m e t h e f o l l o w i n g
p r o c e e d i n g s w e r e h a d i n o p e n c o u r t : )
M a r c h 1 4 , 1 9 6 9 .
THE COURT: A r e y o u r e a d y t o p r o c e e d , G e n t l e m e n ?
COUNSEL: Y e s , Y o u r H o n o r .
J O A N F. L I N E S
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THE COURTS You m ay c a l l y o u r n e x t w i t n e s s ,
WHEREUPON,
RUSSELL JAMES NOOSLER , a w i t n e s s c a l l e d on b e h a l f o f t h e
D e f e n d a n t s , b e i n g d u l y s w o r n , t e s t i f i e d a s f o l l o w s :
DIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. S t a t e y o u r f u l l n a m e , p l e a s e , s i r ?
A. R u s s e l l J a m e s N o o s l e r ,
Q. W h a t i s y o u r a g e , M r . N o o s l e r ?
A. T h i r t y - f o u r .
Q. W h e r e d o y o u r e s i d e ?
A . W h e a t l e y .
Q. How l o n g h a v e y o u b e e n a r e s i d e n t o f W h e a t l e y a n d t h a t
a r e a ?
A. S i n c e ' 5 1 .
Q. W h e r e w e r e y o u b o r n a n d r e a r e d ?
A . B o r n i n H u g h e s , t h e n m o v e d t o R o n d o , t h e n t h e r e t o
W h e a t l e y .
Q. You h a v e b e e n a r e s i d e n t o f A r k a n s a s a l l y o u r l i f e ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. W h a t i s y o u r b u s i n e s s a n d o c c u p a t i o n ?
A. Co H o c t o i r a n d s a l G s m a n for* D i x i o F u 1rn i . tu .1r0 C om pany i n
B r i n k l e y .
Q. I n B r i n k l e y , A r k a n s a s ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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Q. And how l o n g h a v e y o u b e e n c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e D i x i e
F u r n i t u r e C o m p a n y ?
A . A b o u t f o u r y e a r s ,
Q . I am a s k i n g t h i s , h a v e y o u r e c e n t l y p a r t i c i p a t e d i n a n
e l e c t i o n ?
A . I h a v e .
Q. I n t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q . W h a t w a s t h e n a t u r e o f y o u r p a r t i c i p a t i o n ?
A . I r a n f o r s c h o o l b o a r d d i r e c t o r .
Q. I s t h a t t h i s e l e c t i o n t h i s p a s t w e e k ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q . W h a t w a s t h e r e s u l t o f t h a t ?
A . I won i t .
Q . You w on a n d y o u a r e c o m i n g o n t h e s c h o o l b o a r d a t
W h e a t l e y ?
A . R i g h t .
Q . H a v e y o u b e e n o f f i c i a l l y c e r t i f i e d y e t ?
A . N o , s i r .
Q . D u r i n g t h e f o u r y e a r s t h a t y o u h a v e b e e n w o r k i n g w i t h
t h e D i x i e F u r n i t u r e C om pany a t B r i n k l e y h a v e y o u h a d
o c c a s i o n t o h a v e b u s i n e s s w i t h M r s . M a l i s s a M e e k s ?
A. I h a v e , y e s , s i r .
Q . H a s s h e b e e n a c u s t o m e r o f D i x i e F u r n i t u r e C om pany
d u r i n g t h i s f o u r - y e a r p e r i o d ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. H as s h e b o u g h t m e r c h a n d i s e f r o m t h e D i x i e F u r n i t u r e
C o m p a n y ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. One p u r c h a s e o r v a r i o u s p u r c h a s e s ?
A . M o re t h a n o n e .
Q. D i d s h e p a y c a s h f o r t h e s e p u r c h a s e s , o r d i d s h e b u y
t h e m on c r e d i t o r t i m e ?
A . I t w a s o n t i m e .
Q. How h a s s h e h a n d l e d h e r a c c o u n t s w i t h D i x i e F u r n i t u r e
C o m p a n y ?
A . W e l l , s h e h a s b e e n s l o w .
Q. H a s s h e b e e n d e l i n q u e n t f o r l o n g p e r i o d s o f t i m e ?
A . W e l l , u e s , s i r . I w o u l d s a y t h e m o s t s h e h a s g o n e
w i t h o u t p a y i n g w o u l d b e t w o o r t h r e e m o n t h s .
Q. W e l l , h a v e y o u a l l t r i e d t o c o l l e c t a c c o u n t s a n d f r o m
t i m e t o t i m e c a l l e d t h i s t o t h e a t t e n t i o n o f t h e s c h o o l
b o a r d o f t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t ?
A . I t a l k e d t o M r . R i c h a r d s o n o n c e w h e n h e w a s t h e r e , a n d
h e s a i d h e c o u l d n ' t h e l p m e , a n d I t h i n k I t a l k e d t o
M r . J o n e s o n c e .
Q. M r . B i l l y J o n e J o n e s , a m e m b e r o f t h e s c h o o l b o a r d ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. H a v e y o u t a l k e d t o a n y o t h e r m e m e m b e r s o f t h e s c h o o l
b o a r d , i f y o u r e c a l l ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N I T E D STA TES C O U R T REPOR TER
F e d e r a l B u i l o i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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Q. How l o n g h a v e y o u b e e n r e s i d i n g i n W h e a t l e y ?
A . A b o u t f o u r y e a r s ; n o , a b o u t s i x y e a r s .
Q. D u r i n g t h a t p e r i o d o f t i m e h a v e y o u p e r s o n a l l y know n
o f a n y o f t h e c o m p l a i n t s t h a t h a v e b e e n t e s t i f i e d t o ?
MR0 WALKER: O b j e c t i o n , Y o u r H o n o r .
THE COURT: He c a n t e s t i f y t o w h a t h e k n o w s .
Q- (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) ; H a v e y o u p e r s o n a l l y know n
o f a n y o f t h e c o m p l a i n t s t h a t h a v e b e e n m a d e i n t h e
c o m m u n i t y a b o u t t h e q u a l i t y o f t h e t e a c h i n g o f L . R.
J a c k s o n , M a l i s s a M e e k s , o r M r s . J a c k s o n ?
A . P e r s o n a l l y , I d o n ' t kn o w o f a n y .
Q - Y ou h a v e n o t h e a r d o f a n y , y o u h a v e j u s t com e o n t h e
s c h o o l b o a r d , i s t h a t r i g h t ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q . And y o u p e r s o n a l l y d o no t . k n o w . I a s k e d y o u t h a t
q u e s t i o n a n d I h a d n ' t h e r e t o f o r e , a n d I j u s t w a n t e d t o
k n o w i f y o u h a d k n o w n . Do y o u k n o w o f a n y o t h e r c r e d i t o c
who h a d t r o u b l e , o f y o u r own p e r s o n a l k n o w l e d g e , c o l l e c t
i n g t h e i r o b l i g a t i o n s f r o m M r s . M a l i s s a M e e k s ?
A. I k n o w o f o n e who h a s .
Q. Who i s t h i s ?
A. A man who r u n s a b u s i n e s s , a d e p a r t m e n t s t o r e , a s k e d
me w h e r e s h e l i v e d h e r e som e t i m e a g o .
Q. B e c a u s e s h e d i d owe t h e m m o n e y ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
A. Not that I recall.
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MR. WALKER: O b j e c t i o n , Y o u r H o n o r .
MR. BUTLER: T h a t i s a l l .
CROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR. WALKER:
Q . M r . N o o s l e r , y o u d o n o t kn o w a n y o f t h e f a c t s o f y o u r own
k n o w l e d g e r e l a t i n g t o t h e d i s m i s s a l o f t h e s e f o u r
t e a c h e r s , d o y o u ?
A. I d o n o t .
Q . A nd y o u h a d n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h i t ?
A. T h a t ' s r i g h t .
Q. A t t h e D i x i e F u r n i t u r e C om pany — w h a t i s y o u r p o s i t i o n
a g a i n ?
A . C o l l e c t o r a n d s a l e s m a n .
Q. W e r e y o u t h e p e r s o n who m a d e s a l e s t o M r s . M e e k s ?
A . I w a s n o t .
Q. Do y o u k n o w w h a t i t e m s s h e p u r c h a s e d ?
A . I d o n o t .
Q . Do y o u k n o w w h a t t h e a m o u n t o f t h o s e i t e m s w a s , t h e t o t e
a m o u n t ?
A . E x a c t l y , n o .
Q . Do y o u kn o w w h a t t h e t e r m s o f h e r p a y m e n t s w e r e ?
A . I k n o w w h a t h e r p a y m e n t s a r e now .
Q. You k n o w w h a t h e r o r i g i n a l t e r m s f o r p a y m e n t w e r e ?
A . N o .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
A. That is what he said.
s
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Q. Who i s t h e m a n a g e r o f t h e s t o r e ?
A . O t i s C o x .
Q. D i d M r . C ox a u t h o r i z e t h e s a l e o f f u r n i t u r e ?
A . He a u t h o r i z e s a l l s a l e s .
Q. W e re y o u e m p l o y e d t h e r e a t t h e t i m e s h e m a d e t h e
p u r c h a s e s ?
A . T h e l a s t o n e , y e s .
Q. A t t h e t i m e s h e m a d e t h e i n i t i a l p u r c h a s e s ?
A. On t h e a c c o u n t s h e h a s now , y e s .
Q . When d i d y o u f i r s t g o t o w o r k t h e r e ?
A. A b o u t f o u r y e a r s a g o . I w e n t t o w o r k i n J u l y , e i t h e r
f o u r y e a r s t h i s J u l y , o r f i v e .
Q. T h i s w a s 1 9 6 5 ?
A . Y e s .
Q. H a s t h e D i x i e F u r n i t u r e Com pany e v e r s u e d M r s . M e e k s ?
A . N o t t h a t I know o f .
Q. When d i d M r s . M e e k s f i r s t b e c o m e d e l i n q u e n t ?
A . O f f h a n d I c o u l d n ' t s a y .
Q. I s n ' t i t t r u e t h a t t h e f u r n i t u r e c o m p a n y p u r s u e d a
p o l i c y o f o n l y s e l l i n g f u r n i t u r e t o p e o p l e w i t h g o o d
r i s k s , a t t h e t i m e o f m a k i n g t h e i n i t i a l s a l e —-
t h a t i s , t o a p e r s o n w ho h a s f a i r l y g o o d c r e d i t ?
A . T h a t i s p o s s i b l e .
Q . And i s n ' t i t t r u e t h a t a t t h e t i m e M r s . M e e k s m a d e t h e s e
p u r c h a s e s t h a t s h e h a d g o o d c r e d i t ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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Q. I s n ' t i t a l s o t r u e t h a t y o u k n e w a b o u t M r s . M e e k s
m i s f o r t u n e w i t h h e r h o m e ?
A . I k n e w .
Q. W o u l d n o t t h i s b e a r e a s o n f o r h e r h a v i n g d i f f i c u l t i e s
i n m e e t i n g h e r o b l i g a t i o n s ?
A . On t h i s a c c o u n t i t c o u l d .
Q. I s n ' t i t a l s o a r e a s o n w hy D i x i e F u r n i t u r e h a s d e c i d e d
o r c h o s e n n o t t o t r y t o c o l l e c t i t s m o n e y b y c o u r t s u i t ?
A. I d o u b t i t .
Q. I s n ' t i t t r u e t h a t M r s . M e e k s h a s c o n t i n u a l l y t r i e d
t o m e e t h e r o b l i g a t i o n s , a n d s h e h a s come i n a n d h a d
h e r l o a n r e f i n a n c e d a n d t h a t s h e h a s b e e n c o n t i n u a l l y
t r y i n g t o p a y t h a t ?
A . S h e p a y s .
Q. S h e p a y s ; a n d s h e h a s m a de a n e f f o r t t o p a y , h a s n ' t s h e ?
A . You c o u l d s a y t h a t , I g u e s s .
Q . S h e h a s n ' t a l w a y s t a l k e d w i t h y o u a b o u t t h i s h a s s h e ?
A . N o r m a l l y s h e d o e s . O f c o u r s e t h e r e i s t i m e s w h e n s h e
h a s g o n e t o t h e s t o r e a n d t a l k e d t o t h e b o s s .
Q. You a r e n o t t h e b o s s ?
A . T h a t i s r i g h t .
Q. Now, how l o n g i s t h e a c c o u n t d e l i n q u e n t a n d i n w h a t
a m o u n t ?
A . As o f now?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
A. That I couldn't say, I assume she did.
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Q. Yes.
A. As of tomorrow it will be eight months behind.
Q. How long has it been delinquent, is my point?
A. Ever since not too long after it was refinanced.
Q. Right after her home was burned?
A. it was refinanced, I believe, back last March.
Q. Would the fact that she had been terminated from her
employment bear on her ability to pay?
A - It could have something to do with it since that time.
Q. Has she at all times manifest to you or stated to you
her intention to fulfill her obligation?
A. Oh, yes.
Q. She has — now what is the total amount of that
obligation? You did not state that.
A. As of now?
Q. As of now.
A. As of now she owes about two hundred dollars and
someth! rg.
Q. About two hundred dollars?
A. Give or take a little.
Q. How much does she pay you per month?
A. Sixteen someting — $16.20, I believe.
Q. $16.20 is her schedule?
A. Right.
Q. And you have not received any complaints of her teaching
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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o r t e a c h i n g o f M r . J a c k s o n o r M r s . J a c k s o n , h a v e y o u ?
A . N o t t h a t I r e c a l l , p e r s o n a l l y .
Q. Now, t h i s o t h e r o n e c r e d i t o r . You d o n ' t k n o w a n y t h i n g
a b o u t t h a t o b l i g a t i o n , d o y o u , o f y o u r own k n o w l e d g e ?
A . N o , s i r .
Q . Y ou d o n ' t k n o w i n f a c t t h a t s h e o w e s h i m a n y t h i n g ,
d o y o u ?
A. O t h e r t h a n h e s a i d s h e d i d , t h a t i s a l l .
Q . You h a v e n e v e r s e e n a b i l l a n d y o u d i d n o t w i t n e s s
h e r p u r c h a s e ?
A . I d i d n o t .
MR. WALKER: T h a n k y o u .
EXAMINATION BY THE COURT
Q. M r . N o o s l e r , I am a l i t t l e c o n f u s e d a b o u t t h i s m a t t e r
a n d w o u l d l i k e t o g e t t h e f a c t s s t r a i g h t on i t . You
t o l d M r . B u t l e r t h a t s h e h a d b e e n d e l i n q u e n t i n p a y m e n t s
f o r tw o o r t h r e e m o n t h s , i s t h a t t r u e ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. I u n d e r s t a n d y o u t o s a y t o M r . W a l k e r j u s t n o w t h a t s h e
h a d b e e n d e l i n q u e n t e i g h t m o n t h s ?
A . W e l l , s h e h a s g o n e t w o o r t h r e e m o n t h s w i t h o u t p a y i n g
a t a l l . B u t a s o f r i g h t now s h e h a s g o t t e n e i g h t p a y
m e n t s b e h i n d s i n c e s h e r e f i n a n c e d h e r a c c o u n t . B u t s h e
h a s n ' t p a i d me now s i n c e D e c e m b e r , w h i c h i s w h a t , t h r e e
m o n t h s ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l b u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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Q. How l o n g h a s t h i s a c c o u n t b e e n g o i n g o n t h e n , t h e
r e f i n a n c i n g o f i t ?
A. S h e b o u g h t a b o u t — r o u g h l y I w o u l d s a y t w o y e a r s a g o
o n t h i s a c c o u n t r i g h t a f t e r h e r h o u s e b u r n e d , w h e n e v e r
t h a t w a s .
Q. A l l o f t h i s d e v e l o p e d r i g h t a f t e r h e r h o u s e b u r n e d t h e n ?
A . T h i s a c c o u n t , y e s , s i r , s h e h a s h a d o n e b e f o r e .
Q. B u t t h a t w a s t a k e n c a r e o f ?
A. Y e s .
Q. And y o u a g a i n d i d e x t e n d c r e d i t t o h e r a f t e r t h a t ?
A. I b e l i e v e , s i r , s h e p a i d t h e o t h e r o n e o f f a n d t h e y
r e s o l d o r a d d e d t o t h e o t h e r , o f f h a n d I c o u l d n ' t s a y ,
b u t t h e y d i d s e l l h e r som e m o r e .
Q . Do y o u h a v e o t h e r a c c o u n t s t h a t c a u s e s i m i l a r p r o b l e m s ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q. T h e n a m a t t e r o f t h i s k i n d i s n o t s o u n u s u a l i s i t ?
A . No, s i r , i t i s n o t .
MR. WALKER: May I a s k .
CROSS EXAMINATION, C o n t i n u e d
BY MR. WALKER:
Q. W h a t w a s t h e d a t e s h e r e f i n a n c e d h e r a c c o u n t ?
A . I t w a s i n M a r c h .
Q. W h a t y e a r ?
A . L a s t y e a r .
Q. 1 9 6 8 ?
A . ' 6 8 , r i g h t . j o a n f . l i n e s
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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252 .
REDIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. M r . N o o s l e r , y o u s a y s h e d i d h a v e a n a c c o u n t w i t h D i x i e
F u r n i t u r e C om pany p r i o r t o t h e p u r c h a s e t h a t s h e m a d e
w h e n s h e h a d t h e f i r e - - I b e l i e v e s h e t e s t i f i e d i n
1 9 6 6 - - s h e d i d h a v e a n a c c o u n t w i t h t h e c o m p a n y p r i o r
t o t h e n ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. W h a t w a s t h e s t a t u s o f t h a t a c c o u n t , d i d t h e c o m p a n y
h a v e t r o u b l e c o l l e c t i n g i t , w a s s h e p r o m p t i n h e r
p a y m e n t s ?
A. S h e w a s b e h i n d a n d I h a v e b e e n t o s e e h e r .
Q. i n o t h e r w o r d s , t h i s h a s b e e n a c o u r s e i n h e r c a s e e v e r
s i n c e y o u r c o m p a n y h a s b e e n d e a l i n g w i t h h e r , i s t h a t
r i g h t ?
A . E v e r s i n c e I h a v e b e e n t h e r e .
Q . F o r t h e p a s t f o u r y e a r s ?
A . F o u r y e a r s , y e s s i r .
RECROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR. WALKER:
Q. I f s h e h a d b e e n s u c h a b a d c u s t o m e r , why d i d y o u
c o n t i n u e t o g r a n t h e r c r e d i t ?
A. I d i d n ’ t .
Q . B u t t h e c o m p a n y b o s s d i d , d i d n ' t h e ?
A . T h a t ' s r i g h t .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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253,
Q. Why w o u l d h e c o n t i n u e t o g r a n t h e r n e w c r e d i t i f s h e
h a d b e e n s u c h a p o o r c u s t o m e r i n h e r p a y m e n t s ?
A . I a s k m y s e l f t h a t a l l t h e t i m e .
Q. How f a r b e h i n d w a s s h e on h e r o t h e r a c c o u n t , a n d w h a t
w a s t h e a m o u n t o f t h e a c c o u n t ?
A . O f f h a n d I c o u l d n ' t s a y . S h e h a d i t w h e n I w e n t t o w o r k
a n d I d o n ' t r e m e m b e r how b i g t h e p a y m e n t s w e r e .
Q. You d o n ' t kn o w a n y t h i n g a b o u t i t , d o y o u ?
A . I d o k n o w t h a t I w e n t t o s e e h e r .
Q . On how m a n y o c c a s i o n s ?
A . T h a t I c o u l d n ' t s a y . I h a v e b e e n t o t h e h o u s e t h a t
b u r n e d m o r e t h a n o n c e , a n d I w e n t t o t h e s c h o o l .
Q. How f a r w a s s h e b e h i n d ? A d a y , a w e e k , a m o n t h , t h r e e
m o n t h s , o r w h a t a t t h e t i m e y o u w e n t t o s e e h e r ?
A . N o r m a l l y t w o p a y m e n t s a r e d u e b e f o r e we g o s e e o n e .
Q. N o r m a l l y ?
A . Y e s .
Q. W h a t a b o u t i n h e r c a s e , d i d y o u f o l l o w t h e n o r m a l _
p r a c t i c e ?
A . Y e s .
Q. D i d y o u w r i t e h e r a l e t t e r ?
A. T h e y s e n d s t a t e m e n t s e v e r y m o n t h .
Q. D i d y o u w r i t e h e r a l e t t e r a d v i s i n g h e r o f t h e d e l i n q u e n t
A . I d i d n o t .
Q. You d o n ' t r e m e m b e r w h e t h e r o n e w a s w r i t t e n o r n o t ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d s t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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254.
A . I kn o w o n e w a s w r i t t e n .
Q. You kn o w w h e r e i t w a s m a i l e d ?
A . I d o n 11 . 1
Q. You kn o w w h e t h e r i t w a s r e c e i v e d ?
A . I d o n ' t .
Q. You d o n ' t kn o w w h a t i t e m s i t w a s f o r o r a n y t h i n g a b o u t
t h a t e a r l i e r a c c o u n t , d o y o u ?
A . I d o n o t .
Q- Do y o u k n o w w h e t h e r if s h e w e r e e m p l o y e d now , a n d i f s h e
c o u l d f u l f i l l t h i s o b l i g a t i o n , t h a t y o u w o u l d e x t e n d
h e r o t h e r c r e d i t ?
A . I d o n o t know t h a t .
Q . Now, o n t h e f i r s t a c c o u n t b e f o r e h e r h o u s e w a s b u r n e d ,
d i d y o u h a v e o c c a s i o n t o t e l l M r . R i c h a r d s o n a b o u t h e r
d e l i n q u i e n c i e s ?
A . N o t b e f o r e h e r h o u s e b u r n e d , n o .
Q. D i d y o u h a v e o c c a s i o n t o b r i n g t h i s m a t t e r t o t h e
a t t e n t i o n o f t h e s c h o o l b o a r d ?
A. B e f o r e h e r h o u s e b u r n e d , n o .
Q. H a v e y o u e v e r s o u g h t t o g a r n i s h e e h e r w a g e s ?
A . I t h a s b e e n t h o u g h t a b o u t .
Q. No, h a v e y o u e v e r s o u g h t t o g a r n i s h e e h e r w a g e s ?
A . N o .
q . So e v e n a f t e r s h e b e c a m e d e l i n q u e n t a f t e r h e r h o u s e
b u r n e d , y o u m a de n o l e g a l e f f o r t t o e f f e c t c o l l e c t i o n ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d s t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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255 .
A . T h a t ' s r i g h t .
MR. WALKER: T h a t i s a l l .
THE COURT: S t a n d a s i d e .
WHEREUPON;
ROBERT Go NOOSLER, a d e f e n d a n t i n t h e c a s e , c a l l e d on
b e h a l f o f t h e D e f e n d a n t s , b e i n g d u l y s w o r n , t e s t i f i e d
a s f o l l o w s :
DIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. BUTLER:
Qo S t a t e y o u r f u l l n a m e ?
A . R o b e r t G. N o o s l e r .
Q . How o l d a r e y o u , s i r ?
A . T h i r t y - o n e .
Q. W h e r e d o y o u r e s i d e ?
A . I r e s i d e a t P a l e s t i n e . My k i d s g o t o s c h o o l a t W h e a t l e y .
Q. You a r e i n t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t ?
A . I am i n t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t .
Q. How l o n g h a v e y o u r e s i d e d i n t h i s a r e a ?
A . I h a v e b e e n i n t h i s a r e a a b o u t s i x y e a r s .
Q. W h a t i s y o u r b u s i n e s s ?
A . I am a n e m p l o y e e o f W a r w i c k E l e c t r o n i c s , F o r r e s t C i t y ,
A r k a n s a s .
Q. Do y o u d r i v e t o w o r k e v e r y d a y t o F o r r e s t C i t y ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q . Do y o u h a v e a p o s i t i o n w i t h t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d s t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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256.
A. Yes, sir, I do.
Q. You are one of the defendants in this case?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. How long have you been a member of the Board of the
Wheatley School District?
A. I was elected to the board in September, 1967.
Q. Have you attended all regular and special meetings of
the Board of the Wheatley School District since you
have been on that board?
A. Yes,sir.
Q. Mr. Noosler, were you present at the March 11, 1968,
meeting of the board?
A. Yes, sir, I was.
Q. A copy of the minutes have been introduced in this
record as Plaintiffs' Exhibit No. 9. The minutes of
this meeting state that Mr. Sidney Kennedy, prospective
superintendent, attended that meeting. Is that right?
A. That is correct.
Q. What action did you all take in regard to hiring him
at that time?
A. We talked about his qualifications and decided that we
would hire Mr. Kennedy as superintendent.
Q. At that same meeting did you all take action on what
teachers you would retain and hire for the year '68-69,
and those whose contracts you would terminate?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d s t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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257.
A . Y e s , s i r , we d i d .
Q. D i d M r . K e n n e d y h a v e a n y t h i n g t o d o w i t h t h i s d e c i s i o n ?
A . N o , s i r .
Q. M r . N o o s l e r , why w a s i t t h a t t h e b o a r d d i d n o t m a ke a
d e c i s i o n t o m ove t h e p u p i l s f r o m W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l E l e
m e n t a r y o v e r t o W h e a t l e y E l e m e n t a r y u n t i l A p r i l 2 ,
1 9 6 8 ?
A . B e c a u s e t h e f r e e d o m - o f - c h o i c e f o r m s t h a t we h a d s e n t
o u t t o t h e p u p i l s h a d n o t b e e n r e t u r n e d . We d i d n o t
kn o w a t t h a t t i m e how m a n y c h i l d r e n w o u l d s t i l l b e a t
C e n t r a l S c h o o l .
Q. B u t now o n A p r i l 2 , 1 9 6 8 , y o u h a d h a d t h e s e f o r m s
r e t u r n e d , i s t h a t r i g h t ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q . A t t h a t t i m e w h a t d e c i s i o n w a s m a d e ?
A. O u r d e c i s i o n w a s m a de t o move a l l t h e c h i l d r e n t o
W h e a t l e y E l e m e n t a r y b e c a u s e t h e r e w a s o n l y a p p r o x i m a t e l y
t h i r t y t o t h i r t y - t w o c h i l d r e n t h a t w i s h e d t o s t a y a t
W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l S c h o o l , a n d t h i s w a s n o t a d e q u a t e f o r
u s t o h a v e f i v e t e a c h e r s f o r t h e s e f e w p u p i l s .
Q. D i d t h i s a c t i o n a b o u t f r e e d o m o f c h o i c e h a v e a n y t h i n g
t o d o w i t h t h e d e t e r m i n a t i o n o r t h e d e c i s i o n o f t h e
s c h o o l b o a r d n o t t o r e h i r e , o r t o t e r m i n a t e , t h e
c o n t r a c t s o f M r . J a c k s o n , M r s . J a c k s o n a n d M r s . M e e k s ?
A . No.
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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258.
Q. What was the basis of your action as a member of the
school board and the school board's action in deciding
to terminate their contracts for the following year?
A. The reason we decided to terminate the contracts was
because of the complaints we had had, and to try to get
better quality teachers.
Q. There have been exhibited here two or three minutes of
the meetings in which complaints were mentioned against
L. R. Jackson, and that is all. Do the minutes of the
school board of which we have a record reflect all of
the discussions and the complaints that were made agains
these teachers?
A. No, the minutes don't reflect all of them.
Q. In numbers how many complaints would you say during
your tenure on the school board came to your attention,
and the members of the board, about these teachers?
A. During my time it was — mine came mostly from other
directors and from the former superintendent.
Q. The former superintendent; which one was that, sir?
A. Mr. Richardson.
Q. As a member of the board, and as a board, did you all
rely on the superintendent, Mr. Richardson, for his
recommendations in regard to teachers?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. At the present time what is the nature of your policy
J O A N F . L I N E S
U N I T E D STATES C O U R T REPOR TER
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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i n r e g a r d t o t e a c h e r s ?
A . We s t i l l r e l y o n t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t , h i s k n o w l e d g e . He
i s t h e o n e t h a t c h e c k s i n t o t h e i r r e c o r d s a n d a l l t h e
r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s .
Q. And m a k e s r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s t o t h e b o a r d ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. Now, on w h o s e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n w a s i t , o r w h o s e i n v e s t i g a
t i o n w a s i t , t h a t y o u a l l d e c i d e d o n M a r c h 1 1 , 1 9 6 8 ,
t o t e r m i n a t e t h e c o n t r a c t s , o r g i v e n o t i c e o f t e r m i n a t i o
t o M r . J a c k s o n , M r s . J a c k s o n a n d M r s . M e e k s ?
A . T h e b o a r d d e c i d e d t h i s a f t e r h e a r i n g some o f t h e
c o m p l a i n t s , a n d b e c a u s e e a r l i e r M r . R i c h a r d s o n s a i d
h e t h o u g h t i t w o u l d b e a g o o d p o l i c y i f we d i d n ' t r e t a i n
t h e s e t e a c h e r s b e c a u s e o f t h i s .
Q. B e c a u s e o f t h e q u a l i t y o f t e a c h i n g ?
A . C o r r e c t .
Q . W e r e a n y c o m p l a i n t s m a de t o y o u o r t o t h e b o a r d w h e n
y o u w e r e p r e s e n t a b o u t t h e h a n d l i n g o f t h e i n d e b t e d n e s s
o f t h e s e t e a c h e r s ?
A . N o t w h e n I w as p r e s e n t , n o , s i r .
Q. N o t w h e n y o u w e r e p r e s e n t ?
A. N o , s i r .
Q . W h e r e d i d y o u h e a r t h e s e c o m p l a i n t s ?
MR. WALKER: O b j e c t i o n , Y o u r H o n o r , h e s a i d
h e d i c h ‘ t e v e n h e a r a n y c o m p l a i n t s .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N IT E D STATES C O U R T REPOR TER
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MR. BUTLER; He s a i d h e d i d n ’ t h e a r a n y a t t h e
b o a r d m e e t i n g s .
Q . (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : H a v e y o u p e r s o n a l l y h e a r d
a n y c o m p l a i n t s s i n c e y o u h a v e b e e n a m e m b er o f t h e b o a r d
a b o u t t h e h a n d l i n g o f t h e i r i n d e b t e d n e s s ?
THE COURT; T h a t i s a l l h e a r s a y , M r . B u t l e r ,
i f h e d o e s n ’ t k n o w a n y t h i n g a b o u t i t h i m s e l f .
MR. BUTLER: Y o u r H o n o r , h e r e t o f o r e some o f t h e
w i t n e s s e s h a v e t e s t i f i e d t h a t c o m p l a i n t s w e r e m a d e t o
t h e m .
THE COURT: P e r s o n a l l y m a d e c o m p l a i n t s t o t h e m ;
b u t y o u a r e t a l k i n g a b o u t h e a r s a y o f i n d e b t e d n e s s n o w .
MR. BUTLER: May I a s k h i m i f a n y c o m p l a i n t s
w e r e m a d e ?
THE COURT: T h a t i s a d i f f e r e n t q u e s t i o n .
A . C o m p l a i n t s w e r e n o t m a d e t o m e . C o m p l a i n t s I g o t w a s
f r o m t h e o t h e r b o a r d d i r e c t o r s .
Q. (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : I s e e . And y o u c am e on t h e
b o a r d w h e n ?
A . S e p t e m b e r , 1 9 6 7 .
Q. I s t h a t t h e l a s t y e a r i n w h i c h t h e s e t e a c h e r s t a u g h t
i n t h e s c h o o l ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. T h e i r l a s t s c h o o l y e a r ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
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MR. BUTLER; I b e l i e v e t h a t i s a l l
CROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR. WALKER:
Q. On w h a t d a t e d i d t h e b o a r d r e c e i v e t h e r e s i g n a t i o n
o f M r . R i c h a r d s o n ?
A . I d o n ' t r e c a l l t h e e x a c t d a t e .
Q. W o u l d i t b e M a r c h 1 1 , 1 9 6 8 ?
A. I don't recall.
Q* I s n ' t i t t r u e t h a t y o u r e c e i v e d t h e w r i t t e n r e s i g n a t i o n
f r o m M r . R i c h a r d s o n t h e sam e d a y y o u r e c e i v e d t h e
a p p l i c a t i o n f r o m M r . K e n n e d y , a n d t h e s a m e d a t e y o u
d e c i d e d t o h i r e M r . K e n n e d y ?
A. I d o n ' t r e a l l y r e c a l l i f i t w a s t h e s a m e d a y o r n o t . ‘
I t w a s c l o s e , b u t I d o n ' t k n o w .
Q. D i d t h e b o a r d p r i o r t o m e e t i n g w i t h M r . K e n n e d y c o n s i d e r
a n y o t h e r p e r s o n f o r t h e p o s i t i o n a s s u p e r i n t e n d e n t ,
p r i o r t o t h e t i m e t h a t M r . K e n n e d y m e t w i t h t h e m ?
A . P r i o r t o t h e t i m e ?
Q. Y e s .
A. N o t p r i o r t o t h e t i m e .
Q. Now a t t h e t i m e M r . K e n n e d y m e t w i t h t h e b o a r d , d i d
M r . K e n n e d y p a r t i c i p a t e i n a n y d i s c u s s i o n t h a t y o u may
h a v e h a d a b o u t t h e s e t e a c h e r s who w e r e d i s m i s s e d ?
A. N o t t h a t I c a n r e m e m b e r .
Q. D i d M r . R i c h a r d s o n p r e p a r e a w r i t t e n s t a t e m e n t s e t t i n g
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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o u t r e a s o n s i n s u p p o r t o f w h a t y o u s a y h i s r e c o m m e n d a t i c
w a s t o h a v e t h e s e t e a c h e r s t e r m i n a t e d ?
A. No, n o t w r i t t e n .
Q. H as M r . R i c h a r d s o n e v e r w r i t t e n o u t a n y e v a l u a t i o n o f
t h e s e t e a c h e r s t h a t y o u h a v e a c c e s s t o ?
A . N o .
Q. Do y o u h a v e i n h i s p e r s o n n e l f i l e s , o r i n t h e i r p e r s o n n e
f i l e s , a n y w r i t t e n c r i t i c i s m s o f t h e i r w o r k f r o m
M r . R i c h a r d s o n ?
A. I d o n ' t k n o w , n o t t o my k n o w l e d g e .
Q. D i d y o u a s k , a s a b o a r d m e m b e r , M r . R i c h a r d s o n t o p r o v i c i
y o u w i t h a d e t a i l e d s t a t e m e n t a b o u t e a c h o n e o f t h e
t e a c h e r s b e f o r e h e o r s h e w a s d i s m i s s e d ?
A. I d i d n o t .
Q. D i d t h e b o a r d i n y o u r p r e s e n c e ?
A . N o .
Q. D i d t h e b o a r d m a k e a d e c i s i o n t h a t i t h a d m o r e t h a n
e n o u g h t e a c h e r s b y h a v i n g t h e f i v e t e a c h e r s f r o m t h e
C e n t r a l S c h o o l , a n d t h e e i g h t e e n o r n i n e t e e n f r o m t h e
W h e a t l e y S c h o o l , a n d t h a t i t h a d t o r e d u c e t h e f a c u l t y
b y some n u m b e r ?
A . I d o n ' t r e c a l l t h i s b e i n g m e n t i o n e d t o m e . A t a
m e e t i n g i t w a s d e c i d e d t h a t w a y .
Q. W o u l d y o u m i n d t e l l i n g me how l o n g t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n
a b o u t t h e s e t e a c h e r s t o o k b e t w e e n y o u a n d t h e o t h e r
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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board members at the official board meeting on March 1.1?
A . I c o u l d n ' t s a y e x a c t l y how l o n g . T he b o a r d p r o b a b l y
t a l k e d t h r e e t o f o u r h o u r s t h a t n i g h t . We t a l k e d a b o u t
a l o t o f t h i n g s t h o u g h a n d I d o n ' t k n o w how l o n g i t t o o k
o n t h e s e p a r t i c u l a r t e a c h e r s .
Q. W o u l d y o u s a y i t t o o k a s m u c h t i m e a b o u t t h e s e t e a c h e r s
a s i t d i d a b o u t M r . K e n n e d y ' s a p p l i c a t i o n ?
A . I w o u l d s a y s o .
Q. W h a t o t h e r i t e m t h a t n i g h t d i d y o u a l l d i s c u s s ?
A . I d o n ' t r e m e m b e r .
Q. You d i d d i s c u s s o t h e r i t e m s , d i d n ' t y o u ?
A. M o s t l i k e l y , b u t I d o n ' t k n o w .
Q. You d o n ' t k n o w how l o n g i t t o o k ?
A . N o .
Q. D i d M r . R i c h a r d s o n a t t e m p t i n d e t a i l a c o m p a r i s o n o f a l l
t h e s e t e a c h e r s w i t h t h e o t h e r t e a c h e r s i n t h e s y s t e m ?
A. Y e s , h e t a l k e d a b o u t — h e g a v e u s a n o u t l i n e o n m o s t
o f t h e t e a c h e r s .
Q. W h a t a b o u t a l l o f t h e m ?
A. I am s u r e we t a l k e d a b o u t a l l t h e t e a c h e r s i n t h e w h o l e
s y s t e m b e f o r e we h i r e d t h e m .
Q. B u t h e w a s n o t c o m p a r i n g t h e m t h a t n i g h t , w a s h e , i n
t h i s m a n n e r : " W e l l , w e h a v e M r . J a c k s o n h e r e , h e h a s
b e e n t e a c h i n g t h e f i f t h g r a d e a n d h e h a s t h e s e
q u a l i f i c a t i o n s ; a n d we h a v e M r s . X o v e r h e r e , a n d s h e
J O A N F. L i N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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h a s b e e n t e a c h i n g t h e f i f t h g r a d e i n W h e a t l e y S c h o o l
a n d o n t h e b a s i s o f my e v a l u a t i o n I f i n d t h a t M r . J a c k s c
h a s m o r e y e a r s o r l e s s y e a r s o f e x p e r i e n c e t h a n X t e a c h e
w ho h a s b e e n t e a c h i n g t h e f i f t h g r a d e . " D i d h e g o
t h r o u g h t h a t p r o c e s s ?
A . N o t t h a t n i g h t .
Q. When d i d h e g o t h r o u g h t h a t p r o c e s s ?
A. I d o n ' t r e m e m b e r i f we w e n t t h r o u g h t h a t p r o c e s s o r
n o t , a s I r e c a l l i t .
Q . W o u ld i t b e i n y o u r j u d g m e n t , a s a b o a r d m e m b e r ,
f a i r t o g i v e a t e a c h e r who h a d c o m p l a i n t s a b o u t h e r
c r e d i t a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o e x p l a i n h e r p o s i t i o n a b o u t
t h a t c r e d i t b e f o r e y o u d e c i d e d t o t e r m i n a t e h e r ?
A. I w o u l d s a y s o .
Q. W o u l d y o u s a y t h a t i t w a s f a i r n o t t o g i v e M r s . M e e k s
a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o e x p l a i n h e r c r e d i t b e f o r e y o u
t e r m i n a t e d h e r ?
A. S h e h a d b e e n t a l k e d t o b y t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t .
Q. B u t y o u d o n ' t kn o w t h a t , d o y o u ?
A. No, s i r .
Q. W o u l d i t h a v e b e e n f a i r t o g i v e h e r a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o
a p p e a r b e f o r e t h e b o a r d t o e x p l a i n t h i s ?
A. P r o b a b l y .
Q. W o u l d i t h a v e a l s o b e e n f a i r t o g i v e M r . J a c k s o n a n d
t h e o t h e r t e a c h e r s a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o a p p e a r b e f o r e t h e
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d s t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e o e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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A.
Q.
A.
Q-
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q-
A.
Q-
A.
Q-
A.
b o a r d a n d e x p l a i n t h e c o m p l a i n t s t h a t h a v e b e e n m a de
a g a i n s t t h e m , o r a t l e a s t t h e i r s i d e , b e f o r e y o u f i r e
t h e m ?
T h e y d i d m e e t w i t h u s .
I m e an b e f o r e y o u f i r e d t h e m ?
(No r e s p o n s e )
W o u ld i t h a v e b e e n f a i r t o h a v e d o n e i t t h a t w a y ?
I g u e s s i t w o u l d h a v e .
Do y o u k n o w , I am a s k i n g y o u w h e t h e r y o u kn o w y o u r s e l f ,
w h e t h e r M r . R i c h a r d s o n r e c e i v e d c o m p l a i n t s a b o u t a n y
o t h e r t e a c h e r s i n t h e s y s t e m ?
I d o n o t k n o w .
Do y o u k n o w w h e t h e r o r n o t a n y o f t h e o t h e r t e a c h e r s ,
o f y o u r own k n o w l e d g e , w h e t h e r a n y o f t h e o t h e r
t e a c h e r s i n t h e s y s t e m h a d d i f f i c u l t i e s w i t h t h e i r own
c r e d i t ?
I d o n o t k n o w .
Do y o u k n o w w h e t h e r y o u y o u r s e l f h a v e h a d a t a n y t i m e
i n y o u r l i f e d i f f i c u l t y w i t h c r e d i t ?
Who me ?
Y es .
M aybe a l i t t l e .
I s n ' t i t t r u e t h a t m o s t p e o p l e a t o n e t i m e o r a n o t h e r
i n c u r some f i n a n c i a l d i s t r e s s ?
P r o b a b l y .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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Q. So w h e n a t e a c h e r h a s a p r o b l e m w i t h c r e d i t , i t i s n o
d i f f e r e n t t h a n a n y o t h e r p e r s o n who h a s p r o b l e m s w i t h
c r e d i t , i s t h a t t r u e ?
A . T h a t i s t r u e .
Q. I s i t a f a i r s t a t e m e n t t h a t m any o f t h e p e o p l e whom
y o u k n o w i n t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t l i v e a b o v e
t h e i r m e a n s ?
A . I d o n ' t k n o w a b o u t t h i s .
Q. W h a t i s y o u r e d u c a t i o n ?
A . H i g h s c h o o l .
Q. H i g h s c h o o l g r a d u a t e ?
A. R i g h t .
Q. You h a v e c h i l d r e n i n t h e s y s t e m ?
A. Y e s , I d o .
Q. How l o n g h a v e y o u h a d t h e m i n t h e s y s t e m ?
A. E v e r s i n c e h e h a s b e e n i n s c h o o l . I ' v e g o t o n e i n
t h e s i x t h g r a d e .
Q. You h a d a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o e x e r c i s e f r e e d o m o f c h o i c e
t o s e n d y o u r c h i l d t o W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l , o r W h e a t l e y
E l e m e n t a r y . F o r w h i c h s c h o o l d i d y o u e x e r c i s e y o u r
c h o i c e ?
A . W h e a t l e y E l e m e n t a r y .
Q. Any r e a s o n y o u e x e r c i s e d a c h o i c e f o r W h e a t l e y
E l e m e n t a r y a g a i n s t W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l ?
A Y e s .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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267.
Q • W ha t w a s t h a t r e a s o n ?
A. A t t h e t i m e my c h i l d s t a r t e d t o s c h o o l t h e r e w a s n ' t
a n y i n t e g r a t i o n .
Q. So t h a t y o u p u r s u e d t h e p a t t e r n t h a t h a s b e e n
e s t a b l i s h e d i n t h e c o m m u n i t y o f w h i t e p u p i l s g o i n g t o
w h i t e s c h o o l s a n d b l a c k p u p i l s g o i n g t o b l a c k s c h o o l s ?
A. R i g h t .
Q. W o u ld y o u h a v e w a n t e d y o u r c h i l d t o b e a s s i g n e d t o
W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l S c h o o l ?
A . N o t a t t h a t t i m e , , n o .
Q. How m any t i m e s s i n c e y o u h a v e b e e n o n t h e b o a r d h a v e
y o u b e e n i n a c l a s s r o o m w h i l e c l a s s w a s u n d e r w a y a t t h e
W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l S c h o o l ?
A. N o n e .
Q. How m any t i m e s h a v e y o u o f f e r e d M r . L . R. J a c k s o n a s
s u p e r v i s i n g t e a c h e r o f t h a t s c h o o l y o u r a s s i s t a n c e a s
a b o a r d m e m ber t o h e l p i m p r o v e t h i s s c h o o l ' s p r o g r a m ?
A. N o n e , I d o n ' t g u e s s .
Q. W h a t a b o u t t h e o t h e r t e a c h e r s ?
A. T h e s e f o u r , y o u m e a n ?
Q- Y es .
A. I n d i r e c t l y .
Q. By i n d i r e c t l y y o u m ean t h a t y o u l e t Mr . R i c h a r d s o n
k n o w , o r w h o e v e r t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t w a s , know t h a t a s
a m e m b e r o f t h e b o a r d y o u s t o o d r e a d y t o d o w h a t e v e r
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t t h o u g h t w o u l d b e t o t h e b e s t
i n t e r e s t o f t h e s c h o o l s y s t e m ?
A. T h a t i s c o r r e c t .
Q. W h i c h i s a n o r m a l s c h o o l b o a r d m e m b e r ' s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y
w a y , i s t h a t r i g h t ?
A . T h a t i s r i g h t .
REDIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. M r . N o o s l e r , do y o u r e c a l l t h i s m e e t i n g i n M a r c h 1 1 ,
1 9 6 8 , w h e n t h e d e t e r m i n a t i o n w a s m ade t o h i r e
M r . K e n n e d y f o r t h e s c h o o l y e a r b e g i n n i n g J u l y 1 s t ,
1 9 6 8 ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q- Do y o u a l s o r e m e m b e r o f y o u r own k n o w l e d g e t h e a c t i o n
t a k e n o n t h e t e a c h e r s t h a t y o u d e c i d e d t o r e h i r e t h a t
n i g h t , a n d t h o s e who t h e b o a r d d e c i d e d t o t e r m i n a t e
t h e i r c o n t r a c t s ?
A. Y e s , s i r . I r e m e m b e r t h e a c t i o n .
Q. Was t h i s d e c i s i o n o n t h e p a r t o f t h e b o a r d t o t e r m i n a t e
t h e c o n t r a c t s o f Mr. a n d M r s . J a c k s o n a n d M r s . M eek s
a n d M r . C o l e m a n b a s e d o n t h e f a c t t h a t t h e y w e r e o f
t h e b l a c k r a c e ?
A. No, s i r .
Q. D i d t h a t e n t e r i n t o t h e d i s c u s s i o n o r d e l i b e r a t i o n a t
a l l a t t h a t b o a r d m e e t i n g ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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A . T h i s d i d n o t h a v e a n y t h i n g t o d o w i t h i t .
Q* S t a t e t o t h e C o u r t a g a i n , w h a t w a s the basis f o r that
t e r m i n a t i o n ?
A. T h e b a s i s w a s b e c a u s e o f t h e c o m p l a i n t s , t h e q u a l i t y
o f t h e t e a c h e r s .
Q. And w a s t h i s b a s e d o n t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n o f t h e
s u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f s c h o o l s ?
A . Y e s .
MR. BUTLER; I b e l i e v e t h a t i s a l l .
RECROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR. WALKER;
Q. B u t I t h o u g h t y o u s a i d t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t d i d n ' t make
a n y w r i t t e n r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s ?
A. N o t a n y w r i t t e n r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s .
Q. W h a t w a s t h e q u a l i t y o f i n s t r u c t i o n y o u s a y w a s s o
i n v o l v e d i n y o u r d e c i s i o n a t t h e W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l
S c h o o l ?
A . As I s t a t e d b e f o r e , Mr. R i c h a r d s o n s a i d f r o m t i m e t o
t i m e t h a t t h e s e t e a c h e r s w a s n o t d o i n g a c a p a b l e j o b
a t C e n t r a l S c h o o l a n d h e t h o u g h t t h e y s h o u l d b e r e p l a c e c .
Q. I s M r . R i c h a r d s o n t h e o n l y s u p e r i n t e n d e n t who s t a t e d
t h e s e t e a c h e r s w e r e n o t d o i n g a c a p a b l e j o b ?
A. I d o n ' t kn o w a b o u t t h e r e s t o f t h o s e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t s .
I w a s n o t o n t h e b o a r d .
Q. You w e r e n o t a m em ber o f t h e b o a r d b e f o r e M r . R i c h a r d s o r
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l o i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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became superintendent?
A. No, sir.
Q. Did Mr. Richardson ever give you the benefit of any
comparison test scores between the pupils at different
grade levels at the two schools?
A. He did not give them to me, no.
Q. Did he ever give them to the board in your presence?
A. Not that I can remember.
Q. So that the only way you have of determining whether
or not these students ■— or at least you had at the
time they made the decision -- in determining whether
or not the quality of the instructional program of
the Central School was below that at the other
school, was on the basis of a verbal statement made
by the superintendent of schools to you in the school
board meetings?
A. That's right.
Q. Did you all ask for supporting data?
A. No.
Q. Did you at the time ask for an opportunity to inquire
about this matter of the staff at the Central School?
A. No, we did not.
Q. Did you look into the pupil-teacher ratio of these two
schools ?
A. It was checked into.
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e o e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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271.
Q. What was the pupil-teacher ratio?
A. I don't remember.
Q. Did you look into the amount of per capita spending
of the two schools?
A. No, I did not.
Q. Would you know whether or not the Central School ever
received any new free classroom texts, would you know
whether they did?
A. No, I don't.
Q. Do you know whether or not your child in the Wheatley
School ever received any new free classroom text books?
A. New ones?
Q. Yes.
A. I don't know.
Q. But you do know that some of the youngsters there at
the Wheatley School have from time to time received
new textbooks, don't you?
A. Right.
Q. Isn't it true also that the teachers in the Wheatley
School received certain materials and supplies to work
with provided by the school district?
A. That is right.
Q. Do you know whether they received certain materials
and supplies to work with at the Wheatley Central
School?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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272 .
A. I do not know.
Q. Have you ever checked into this?
A. No, I haven't.
Q. So that, isn't it really true that what you all have
historically done in the community to the best of your
knowledge and from your knowledge as a member of the
board, is more or less left the operation of the Negro
school to the Negro principal and his staff — - and
of course the superintendent would be ultimately
responsible, but the policy was that that was their
school and they could do what they wanted to with it?
A. We work through the superintendent.
Q. I understand. But wouldn't you say that it is a fair
statement that the attitude of the school board
historically would be that the Negroes can run the
school as they see fit, just as long as they do not
really go too far?
A. I wouldn't say that, sir.
Q. Not since you have been on the board?
A. No, sir.
Q. Have you ever been to a school function at the Wheatley
Central school?
A. No, I haven't.
Q. Have you ever been to a function at the Wheatley
School?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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273 .
A. Yes, I have.
Q. On several occasions?
A. Yes.
Q. Would you know whether the quality of the educational
problem at Wheatley Central the last year was below
or above that of Wheatley?
A. I couldn't say definitely.
Q. You don't know one way or the other?
A. No.
Q. So you don't know what the comparison was between the
two schools in terms of the kind of education that
was being offered?
A. In terms of tests I do not know.
Q. In terms of the quality of the education being offered?
A. Being offered?
Q. Yes. You do not know?
A. No.
Q. You do know that you have segregated classes at the
Wheatley School this year?
A . I do.
Q. You also know that the district has historically
utilized Negro teachers in the Wheatley School to teach
only black students with the exception of one or two
white students, is that true?
A. That is true.
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d s t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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2 74.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A .
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q-
A .
Q.
MR. WALKER: T h a n k y o u .
MR. BUTLER: No f u r t h e r q u e s t i o n s .
EXAMINATION BY THE COURT
D i d y o u u s e t h e s a m e t e x t b o o k s i n b o t h o f t h e
e l e m e n t a r y s c h o o l s ?
A s f a r a s I k n o w ; we a r e s u p p o s e d t o , y e s , s i r .
F r o m t h a t s t a n d p o i n t t h e r e w a s n o d i f f e r e n c e i n t h e
e d u c a t i o n a l t r a i n i n g o f s t u d e n t s o f e i t h e r s c h o o l d u r i n g
t h a t t i m e , u s i n g t h e s a m e t e x t b o o k s n o w i n t h e W h e a t l e y
S c h o o l a f t e r t h e o t h e r s c h o o l i s c l o s e d ?
Y e s , s i r .
How l o n g d i d M r . R i c h a r d s o n w o r k w i t h y o u r s c h o o l a s
t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t ?
He w a s w i t h o u r s c h o o l o n e y e a r .
O n l y o n e y e a r ?
O n l y o n e y e a r . He r e s i g n e d t o f u r t h e r h i s e d u c a t i o n .
Who w a s a h e a d o f h i m ?
I b e l i e v e M r . F l o w e r s .
How l o n g w a s M r . F l o w e r s w i t h y o u ?
I am n o t s u r e , n o t b e i n g o n t h e b o a r d t h e n , b u t I
b e l i e v e i t w a s t h r e e y e a r s .
How l o n g h a v e y o u b e e n o n t h e b o a r d ?
S i n c e S e p t e m b e r o f ' 6 7 .
Do y o u k n o w i f M r . F l o w e r s e v e r r a i s e d a n y q u e s t i o n s
a b o u t t h e t e a c h i n g a b i l i t y o f t h e s e f o u r t e a c h e r s
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d s t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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275.
i n v o l v e d ?
A . I d o n ' t k n o w , s i r .
Q. Do y o u k n o w w h e t h e r o r n o t t h e b o a r d r e h i r e d t h e m e a c h
y e a r o n M r . F l o w e r ' s r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s ?
A . N o , I d o n ' t k n o w , s i r .
Q. T h e y w e r e r e h i r e d d u r i n g t h e s e y e a r s ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
THE COURT: I f t h e r e i s n o t h i n g e l s e , y o u may
s t a n d a s i d e .
WHEREUPON,
SIDNEY M. KENNEDY, o n e o f t h e d e f e n d a n t s , w a s r e c a l l e d
t o t e s t i f y o n b e h a l f o f t h e d e f e n d a n t s , a s f o l l o w s :
DIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. Y o u r na m e i s S . M. K e n n e d y ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. W h a t i s y o u r a g e , M r . K e n n e d y ?
A . T h i r t y - n i n e y e a r s o l d .
Q. W h e r e d o y o u r e s i d e a t t h e p r e s e n t t i m e ?
A . W h e a t l e y , A r k a n s a s .
Q. W h a t i s y o u r b u s i n e s s o r p r o f e s s i o n ?
A. I am a s c h o o l a d m i n i s t r a t o r .
Q. W h a t i s y o u r p r e s e n t p o s i t i o n ?
A. I am s u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l s .
Q. When d i d y o u b e c o m e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f t h e W h e a t l e y
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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276.
School District?
A. On J u l y 1 , 1 9 6 8 .
Q. Prior to that time what experience did you have in
teaching?
A. I had taught three years and served in school
administration for eleven years.
Q. What schools in the state?
A. Moro, Arkansas; at McCrory, Arkansas; at Tuckerman,
Arkansas; and at Gosnell, Arkansas; and in north Cross
County; and in Palestine, Arkansas.
Q. In all in the administration and teaching you have
been in the school business how long?
A. Fifteen years.
Q. How long were you at Moro, Arkansas, and in what
capacity there?
A. Three years. I served first as teacher, as principal
and then superintendent.
Q. What year was that?
A. ' 5 4 t o ' 5 7 .
Q. Since being at Moro what has been your position in
the schools in which you have served?
A. I was principal at McCrory for two years, I was
principal at Tuckerman for three years; at Gosnell
for four years; and at Cross County two; Palestine one.
Q- I b e l i e v e y o u t e s t i f i e d y e s t e r d a y w h e n y o u w e r e c a l l e d
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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277.
a s a w i t n e s s f o r t h e p l a i n t i f f s t h a t y o u h a v e y o u r
M.A. d e g r e e ?
A. I d o .
Q. F r o m t h e M e m p h i s S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y i n M e m p h i s , T e n n e s s e e ?
A. T h a t i s c o r r e c t .
Q- H a v e y o u d o n e a n y w o r k o n y o u r d o c t o r ' s ?
A. T w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s .
Q. N o r m a l l y how m any h o u r s a r e r e q u i r e d f o r a d o c t o r a t e ?
A. S i x t y .
Q- M r . K e n n e d y , t h e r e h a s b e e n p l a c e d i n t h e r e c o r d t h e
m i n u t e s o f m e e t i n g s h e l d b y t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t
i n M a r c h a n d A p r i l o f 1 9 6 8 . T h e r e w a s a m e e t i n g o n
M a r c h 1 1 , 1 9 6 8 , a n d t h e m i n u t e s i n d i c a t e t h a t y o u w e r e
p r e s e n t a n d m e t w i t h t h e b o a r d , a n d o n t h a t n i g h t w e r e
h i r e d t o b e t h e s u p e r i n t e n d n e n t o f a s c h o o l b e g i n n i n g
J u l y 1 , 1 9 6 8 , i s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A . T h a t i s c o r r e c t .
Q. D i d y o u o n t h a t e v e n i n g p a r t i c i p a t e i n a n y o f t h e o t h e r
a c t i v i t i e s o f t h e b o a r d w i t h r e g a r d t o h i r i n g o r
d e t e r m i n i n g t o t e r m i n a t e t h e c o n t r a c t s o f t e a c h e r s ?
A . I d i d n o t ; a n d may 1 s t a t e a s n e a r a s p o s s i b l e w h a t
h a p p e n e d . I m e t w i t h t h e b o a r d a n d o f f e r e d my
q u a l i f i c a t i o n s a n d l e f t a l e t t e r i n d i c a t i n g my d e s i r e
t o b e c o m e e l e c t e d i f t h e y s a w f i t . I l e f t t h e n a n d
w e n t hom e a n d I d i d n o t k n o w I w a s h i r e d . So a n y t h i n g
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e o e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
2 7 8 .
happening after my leaving the meeting I did not have
any knowledge of it.
Now at this same board meeting the minutes indicate
- as exhibited in the record here - that the board
accepted the resignation of Mr. Richardson effective
July 1 , 1 9 6 8 . Did Mr. Richardson stay on as superin
tendent of the Wheatley School until July 1 , 1 9 6 8 ?
Yes, sir.
Was it at that time you officially took over and
assumed your duties?
About that time.
Did y o u h a v e a n y t h i n g t o do w i t h t h e h i r i n g o r t h e
t e r m i n a t i o n o f a n y t e a c h e r s ' c o n t r a c t s p e r s o n a l l y
p r i o r t o J u l y 1 , 1 9 6 8 ?
No, sir, I did not.
You were asked yesterday when you were called as a
witness for the plaintiff as to whether or not your
wife worked or teaches in the school system. Who
employed her, and when was she employed?
She was employed by a contract which Mr. Richardson
prepared and mailed us along with my contract, and
we signed it and returned three copies and kept one.
This was prior to — oh, I would say it was in April
or May, sometime in there.
Now, as superintendent of the Wheatley School District
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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279.
a t t h i s t i m e , who h a d c h a r g e o f t h e r e c o r d b o o k s , t h e
m i n u t e s , a n d f i l e s w i t h r e g a r d t o t h e a c t i v i t i e s o f
t h e s c h o o l ?
A. A s s u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f t h e s c h o o l we h a v e a n e x - o f f i c i o
f i n a n c i a l s e c r e t a r y w h o s e o b l i g a t i o n i t i s t o s a f e
g u a r d a n d t a k e c a r e o f t h e s e f i l e s .
Q. Who i s t h a t ?
A . T h a t i s t h e e x - o f f i c i o , t h a t i s t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t ,
w h i c h i s my r e s p o n s i b i l i t y .
Q. You a r e a n e x - o f f i c i o o n t h e b o a r d , s o t o s p e a k ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q. And y o u l o o k a f t e r t h e r e c o r d s a n d t a k e c a r e o f t h e f i l e
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q. Y e s t e r d a y t h e r e w a s e x h i b i t e d i n t h e r e c o r d h e r e
t e r m i n a t i o n l e t t e r s s i g n e d b y M r . W h e e l e r , p r e s i d e n t
o f t h e b o a r d , a n d M r . J o n e s a s s e c r e t a r y o f t h e b o a r d ,
d a t e d May 2 8 , 1 9 6 8 , w h i c h l e t t e r s w e r e m a i l e d t o
M r . a n d M r s . J a c k s o n , M r s . M e e k s a n d M r . C o l e m a n ,
a d v i s i n g t h e m t h a t t h e i r c o n t r a c t s w o u l d n o t b e r e n e w e d
f o r t h e y e a r 1 9 6 8 - 6 9 . W e re t h o s e l e t t e r s m a i l e d
a c c o r d i n g t o t h e r e c o r d s i n y o u r o f f i c e o n May 2 8 , 1 9 6 8 ?
A . T h e r e a r e r e g i s t e r e d r e c e i p t s i n o u r s c h o o l f i l e s .
M r . B u t l e r , I do n o t h a v e t h e m h e r e t o d a y , b u t I h a v e
s e e n t h e r e g i s t e r e d r e c e i p t s .
Q. T h e y a r e i n y o u r f i l e s .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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280.
A. They are in the files at school, yes, sir.
Q. And they were received by these parties shortly after
the date of mailing?
A. I am sure they were.
Q. A c c o r d i n g t o t h e o f f i c i a l r e c o r d s , w h e n d i d t h e s c h o o l
y e a r 1 9 6 7 - 6 8 e n d ?
A. May 2 3 r d , s i r .
Q . May 2 3 r d ?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. And t h e s e t e r m i n a t i o n l e t t e r s w e r e m a i l e d on May 2 8 t h ,
i s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A. I d o n ' t r e m e m b e r t h e e x a c t d a t e , b u t I b e l i e v e t h a t
i s w h a t t h o s e l e t t e r s s t a t e d , I h a v e n e v e r s e e n i t ,
b u t I t h i n k i t i s t h e 2 8 t h .
Q. I m e a n y o u r r e c o r d s o n t h e r e t u r n r e c e i p t s , d o t h e y
s h o w t h e y w e r e m a i l e d o n t h e 2 8 t h ?
A. Y e s , s i r , I b e l i e v e t h a t i s t h e d a t e o f t h e r e c e i p t s .
Q. Now, as the keeper of the records, were you requested
by Mr. Walker, attorney for the plaintiffs, to search
the records to find any letters or memorandum on
complaints that might be in the records of the previous
years in regard to complaints made against, or about,
Mr. Jackson, Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Meeks?
A. I was not. I have a list o f the items sent me by you
for Mr. Walker's request. I do not see it o n these
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
281.
Q.
A.
Q.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
items.
It is not on that list?
No.
Now, in your files, have you found any, or have you
received while you have been superintendent, any
letters pertaining to either of these parties in
regard to their indebtedness or delinquent accounts
they owe people?
Yes, sir, I have one or two letters that I saved.
Many of them I returned to the creditors saying that
person is no longer in my employment, with a statement
like that.
How many letters have you had with regard to them
since you have been superintendent about old accounts
of theirs?
Mr. Butler, there are several of them and I couldn't
number the letters or the phone calls. I would say
they would run probably eight or nine phone calls, as
many as ten or a dozen letters.
Since you have been superintendent?
Yes.
Who did they have particular reference to?
Mrs. Meeks and Mrs. Jackson is the only two that I
can remember at this time.
I hand you a letter here from the Lane Bryant, incor-
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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282 .
Q.
A.
p o r a t e d - -
MR. WALKER: O b j e c t i o n , Y o u r H o n o r .
(MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : — a d d r e s s e d t o t h e
p e r s o n n e l m a n a g e r o f W h e a t l e y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t N o . 2 8 ,
a n d a s k y o u i f y o u f o u n d t h i s i n y o u r f i l e s ?
MR. WALKER: O b j e c t i o n , Y o u r H o n o r , I w o u l d
l i k e t o s e e t h a t f i r s t .
I d i d f i n d t h a t l e t t e r i n my f i l e s , i t w a s i n M r s . Meeks
f o l d e r .
MR. WALKER: T h i s l e t t e r a p p e a r s t o b e a c o p y
a n d i s n o t — i t i s d a t e d O c t o b e r 1 9 , 1 9 6 7 , a n d u n l e s s
M r . K e n n e d y c a n e s t a b l i s h t h a t h e r e c e i v e d t h i s l e t t e r ,
I w o u l d l i k e t o o b j e c t t o i t . T h e f a c t t h a t i t i s
i n t h e f i l e s i s c e r t a i n l y n o t s u f f i c i e n t p r o o f t o
e s t a b l i s h t h a t (1 ) i t c a m e f r o m L a n e B r y a n t , (2) t h a t
t h e r e w a s a n y i n d e b t e d n e s s , o r (3) t h a t M r . K e n n e d y
o f h i s own k n o w l e d g e k n o w s a n y t h i n g a b o u t a n y
i n d e b t e d n e s s i f a n y i n d e b t e d n e s s d o e s i n f a c t e x i s t .
THE COURT: I s t h a t a c o p y o f a l e t t e r ?
MR. BUTLER: I t i s a f o r m l e t t e r t h a t t h e
c r e d i t m a n a g e r s e n d s o u t , a n d i t h a s a p p a r e n t l y t h e
o r i g i n a l s i g n a t u r e o f t h e c r e d i t m a n a g e r o f t h e c o m p a n y
o n i t . I t i s n o t a c o p y .
MR. WALKER: I t h a s a nam e p u r p o r t e d l y s i g n e d
t h e r e .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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THE COURT: Do y o u k n o w a n y t h i n g a b o u t t h i s
l e t t e r o t h e r t h a n i t i s i n t h e r e c o r d ?
A . A l l I k n o w i s t h a t I f o u n d i t i n M r s . M e e k s ' f o l d e r
i n h e r r e c o r d s .
THE COURT: Who i s i t a d d r e s s e d t o ?
A. P e r s o n n e l D i r e c t o r o f t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l .
THE COURT: D o e s i t h a v e a d a t e o n i t ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
THE COURT: I am g o i n g t o l e t i t g o i n t h e
r e c o r d s o v e r y o u r o b j e c t i o n s , M r . W a l k e r . i f i t h a s
a n y v a l u e i n r e l a t i o n t o t h i s h e a r i n g t h a t w o u l d b e
v a l i d a n d s h o u l d b e c o n s i d e r e d u n d e r t h e r u l e s a n d
w i l l , a n d o t h e r w i s e i t w o n ’ t .
A . S i r , d i d y o u w a n t t h e d a t e , O c t o b e r 1 9 , 1 9 6 7 ?
THE COURT: T h e l e t t e r s p e a k s f o r i t s e l f .
Q. (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : M r . K e n n e d y , w o u l d y o u
m a k e t h i s l e t t e r a p a r t o f a n e x h i b i t t o y o u r t e s t i m o n y ;
A. Y e s , s i r , I w i l l , I d i d f i n d t h e l e t t e r .
MR. BUTLER: May I o f f e r i t , Y o u r H o n o r ?
THE COURT: L e t i t b e i d e n t i f i e d , m a r k e d a n d
r e c e i v e d f o r t h e r e c o r d .
(WHEREUPON, t h e d o c u m e n t w a s
m a r k e d D e f e n d a n t s ' E x h i b i t 8 f o r
i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , r e c e i v e d i n e v i d e n c e
a n d m a d e a p a r t o f t h e r e c o r d h e r e o f . )
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
2 84.
Q. (MR. BUTLER, continuing): Now, Mr. Kennedy, will you
read this letter with reference made to whom it is
addressed, to whom it refers?
A. This says, "Personnel Manager, Wheatley School
D i s t r i c t 2 8 , B r i n k l e y , A r k a n s a s . R e : M r s . M a l i s s a
M e e k s , P o s t O f f i c e B o x 5 2 , B r i n k l e y , A r k a n s a s . A c c o u n t
N o . 1 9 5 2 5 6 .
"Dear Sir: Upon opening account with us the
above customer gave your name as the employer. The
account has been delinquent, and since the amount is
rather large we are concerned. The status of this
employee will determine our future action. If there
is a reasonable excuse for the continued neglect of
this account, naturally we shall be as lenient as
possible.
"We have had no replys to our numerous letters,
which leaves us no alternative other than to contact
you and the reference submitted. if it is not against
your policy in such matters, we shall appreciate your
comments as to their ability to pay. Your reply
will be kept in strictest confidence unless you see
fit to mention this to the employee yourself.
"Thank you for your kindest attention. Enclosed
is a special addressed envelope for your convenience.
"Yours very truly,
Hal Harmon, Credit Manager
JOA N * ^ ant' incorporated."
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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Q. Mr. Kennedy, in your school as it is now there,
completely consolidated all into one schooL building,
how many classes do you have?
A. Including high school and elementary there is a total
of about sicty classes.
Q. Now, of this number of classes in your school, how
many of them are integrated at this time?
A. All but two are integrated to some extent. We have
one with only one student at this time, they had two,
but one moved away - but all classes other —
Q. Beginning this school year one class had two in it?
A. Two white children and the rest of them were Negro.
One of the parents moved from the district and we
only have one in that class.
Q. And you only have two that are not integrated?
A. That are not integrated.
Q. And what classes are those?
A. Fourth and fifth grade combinations of Mrs. Anneice
Cannon, and there will be a third grade class of
Mrs. Lou Anna Spears.
Q. Did you as superintendent, or the school board as such,
cause these two classes not to be integrated?
A. No, this type of question has come up many times,
Mr. Butler, but it is almost funny to me. it is rather
ridiculous that there is no reason why it happened
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
2 86,
t h i s w a y . As l o n g a s I h a v e w o r k e d w i t h s c h o o l s I
d o n ' t e v e n b e l i e v e i n h o m o g e n e o u s g r o u p i n g o f s t u d e n t s
f o r a n y r e a s o n o t h e r t h a n g r a d e l e v e l .
Q* D i d t h e s e c l a s s e s , a l l b l a c k s , d e v e l o p b y a s s i g n m e n t
b y y o u o r t h e p r i n c i p a l o f t h e s c h o o l ?
A. We a s k e d how m any o f t h e f o u r t h g r a d e w o u l d l i k e t o
g o t o M r s . C a n n o n ' s r o o m , a n d t h e c h i l d r e n g o t u p a n d
l e f t . T oo m any o f t h e m l e f t , a n d i n o n e c a s e I h a d
t o a s k s o m e o f t h e m t o c o m e b a c k . M r s . C a n n o n s a i d ,
" I h a v e m o r e t h a n I c a n u s e , M r . K e n n e d y . C a n we
b a l a n c e t h e c l a s s e s , " a n d I s a i d , "We c e r t a i n l y c a n . ”
I a s k e d h o w m any s t u d e n t s w o u l d l i k e t o g o b a c k a n d some
o f t h e m g o t u p .
Q. Now t h e o t h e r f i f t y - s e v e n c l a s s e s t h a t y o u h a v e i n
y o u r s c h o o l s y s t e m t h e r e , w h a t i s t h e r a t i o ?
A . O f N e g r o a n d t h e w h i t e ?
Q. Y e s , s i r , i n c l a s s e s o f s t u d e n t s .
A . I t i s h a r d t o t e l l t h e e x a c t r a t i o o f e v e r y c l a s s . I
w o u l d s a y we d o n o t h a v e a c l a s s i n o u r e n t i r e s c h o o l
s y s t e m t h a t i s n o t m o r e t h a n f i f t y - p e r c e n t N e g r o .
Q. O t h e r t h a n t h e t w o o r t h e t h r e e t h a t y o u m e n t i o n e d
a w h i l e a g o ?
A. T h e y a r e m o r e t h a n f i f t y - p e r c e n t N e g r o . We d o n o t h a v e
a c l a s s i n o u r e n t i r e s c h o o l s y s t e m t h a t i s n o t m o r e
t h a n f i f t y - p e r c e n t N e g r o .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
287.
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A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A,
Q.
O f t h o s e o t h e r s , t h e o t h e r f i f t y - s e v e n , e x c l u d i n g t h e
t h r e e , a r e t h e y i n t e g r a t e d w i t h b l a c k a n d w h i t e s t u d e n t s ?
T h a t i s w h a t I s a y , y e s , s i r .
They all are?
Yes, sir.
Now, according to your records about teachers who were
hired and fired of requests that were made by Mr. Walker
- I b e l i e v e t h a t w a s o n e o f t h e r e q u e s t s t h a t h e m a d e
- d i d we f u r n i s h t h a t i n f o r m a t i o n ?
Yes, sir.
I w o u l d l i k e t o k n o w o u t o f t h e ' 6 7 - 6 8 s c h o o l y e a r ,
w e r e M r . a n d M r s . J a c k s o n , M r s . M e e k s a n d M r , C o l e m a n ,
t h e o n l y t e a c h e r s w ho w e r e g i v e n n o t i c e o f t h e
t e r m i n a t i o n o f t h e i r c o n t r a c t s o n l a c k o f q u a l i f i c a
t i o n s ?
A c c o r d i n g t o t h e s e r e c o r d s I h a v e a s k e d t h e s e c r e t a r y
t o g o t h r o u g h a n d m a ke a l i s t o f t h o s e t e a c h e r s who
w e r e h i r e d i n t h e ' 6 7 - 6 8 s c h o o l y e a r , a n d h o w t h e i r
I*
c o n t r a c t s w e r e t e r m i n a t e d .
A l l r i g h t . I w o u l d l i k e t o k n o w how m a n y e i t h e r
r e s i g n e d o r w e r e r e l e a s e d . F i r s t , I w o u l d l i k e t o
k n o w how m any w e r e g i v e n n o t i c e t h a t t h e i r c o n t r a c t s
w o u l d b e t e r m i n a t e d f o r t h e s u c c e e d i n g y e a r b e c a u s e
t h e y w e r e n o t q u a l i f i e d o r t h e r e w a s som e g o o d r e a s o n
t o d i s m i s s t h e m ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
288*
N i n e , s i r .
N i n e , a n d w o u l d y o u n a m e t h e m ?
M r . J a m e s C o o p e r w a s r e l e a s e d , M r . J a m e s H a l e y w a s
r e l e a s e d .
MR. WALKER: J u s t a m o m e n t . M r . J a m e s H a l e y
h a s n o t b e e n e s t a b l i s h e d a s b e i n g a f u l l - t i m e t e a c h e r
o n t h e p a y r o l l o f t h e d i s t r i c t .
THE COURT: You may p r o c e e d , i t i s a p r o p e r
q u e s t i o n .
May I s t a t e t h a t we h a v e o n c e i n o u r f i l e a n d o n o u r
b o o k t h a t M r . H a l e y d i d r e c e i v e p a y a s a t e a c h e r a n d
w a s p a i d f o r h i s s e r v i c e s w h i l e w o r k i n g i n t h e W h e a t l e y
S c h o o l .
(MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : Go a h e a d w i t h y o u r l i s t .
M r . B i l l y H a r r i s w a s r e l e a s e d . M r . M a r v i n C o l e m a n ,
M r . L . R. J a c k s o n , w e r e r e l e a s e d . M r s . M i t t i e J a c k s o n
w a s r e l e a s e d . M r s . M a l i s s a M e e k s w a s r e l e a s e d .
M r . D e n n i s R u s s e l l , r e l e a s e d . M r s . J o a n L o n g , r e l e a s e e .
Now t h o s e y o u s a y w e r e r e l e a s e d , w e r e t h e y a l l g i v e n ,
a c c o r d i n g t o y o u r r e c o r d s , n o t i c e t h a t t h e i r c o n t r a c t s
w o u l d n o t b e r e n e w e d f o r t h e n e x t y e a r ?
Y e s , s i r .
O f t h e s e n i n e t e a c h e r s how m any o f t h e m a r e b l a c k a n d
h o w many o f t h e m a r e w h i t e ?
I a s s u m e t h a t t h e r e w e r e f o u r N e g r o t e a c h e r s a n d f i v e
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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w h i t e t e a c h e r s . I d i d n o t k n o w a l l o f t h e s e p e o p l e
p e r s o n a l l y , b u t I b e l i e v e t h i s i s c o r r e c t . W a i t a
m i n u t e , n o , M r . H a l e y , t h a t w o u l d b e f i v e N e g r o a n d
f o u r w h i t e t e a c h e r s , i f I c a n c o u n t t h e m .
Q. W h a t a b o u t M r s . M a ry E l l e n G e h r i n g ?
A. M r s . G e h r i n g r e s i g n e d .
Q. U n d e r w h a t c i r c u m s t a n c e s ?
A. M r s . G e h r i n g w a s n o t q u a l i f i e d . i t w a s e i t h e r r e s i g n
o r b e r e l e a s e d a s I u n d e r s t a n d i t . S h e t a l k e d t o me
a b o u t t h i s b y p h o n e , w h i c h I h a v e a l e t t e r i n t h e f i l e
t h e r e s t a t i n g t h a t s h e w o u l d g o t o s c h o o l a n d t r y
t o g e t h e r w o r k a n d b e a b l e t o t e a c h e r l a t e r o n , a n d
s h e h o p e d t h a t we w o u l d a c c e p t h e r .
Q. I n o t h e r w o r d s , s h e t a l k e d t o y o u a b o u t t h i s b u t t h e
p r e v i o u s y e a r s h e r e s i g n e d b e f o r e y o u c a m e i n t o t h e
s c h o o l s y s t e m ?
A. Y e s . S h e c a l l e d me a n d t a l k e d w i t h me a b o u t i t . S h e
s a i d s h e f e l t l i k e t h e b o a r d w o u l d r e l e a s e h e r w h e r e
s h e c o u l d r e s i g n a n d g o t o s c h o o l . I d i d n ' t m ake a n y
c o m m i t m e n t , b u t i n t h e f i l e s I l a t e r f o u n d a l e t t e r
t o t h e b o a r d b y M r s . G e h r i n g t h a t I h a v e t o d a y i n h e r
own h a n d w r i t i n g , I a s s u m e , s t a t i n g t h a t s h e w a s r e s i g n
i n g t o g o t o s c h o o l a n d s h e w o u l d l i k e t o b e c o n s i d e r e d
a t a l a t e r d a t e .
Q. Was i t b e c a u s e s h e w a s n o t q u a l i f i e d ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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A. She was not qualified.
Q. Would she have been notified of the termination of her
contract if she hadn't resigned?
MR. WALKER: Objection, Your Honor, he was not
superintendent at the time.
A. Shall I answer the question?
THE COURT: No, not unless you know.
Q. (MR. BUTLER, continuing): Not unless you know?
A. I do not know.
Q. Mr. Kennedy, do you have in your files, or have you
found in the files of which you are custodian, records
of reading and achievement tests that were given to
the students in the classes taught by Mr. Coleman,
Mr. Jackson, Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Meeks?
A. Yes, sir, I believe I do.
Q. Do you?
A. I am sure I do, but I would like to look at the files.
Name the four teachers again, please.
Q. Mr. Jackson, Mrs. Jackson, Mr.Coleman and Mrs. Meeks?
A. Yes, sir, they all are here.
Q. What I have handed you is a copy; do you have the
original of these in your files and records?
A. I do.
Q. Are they here with you today?
A. Yes, sir, there is a copy of them here today.
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d s t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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Q.
A.
A.
Q-
A.
Q-
You m e a n t h e o r i g i n a l s i n y o u r f i l e s ?
T h e o r i g i n a l s a r e h e r e .
MR. WALKER: May we h a v e h i m t e s t i f y f r o m t h e
o r i g i n a l s i f h e i s g o i n g t o t e s t i f y a b o u t i t a t a l l ?
T h e y a r e i n t h e t o p f o l d e r t h e r e .
MR. WALKER: May I o b s e r v e t h a t ? Y o u r H o n o r ,
b e f o r e M r . K e n n e d y b e g i n s t e s t i f y i n g , u n l e s s M r . K e n n e d y
s h o w s t o h a v e a d m i n i s t e r e d t h e s e t e s t s , t h e o n l y f a c t
a b o u t w h i c h h e c a n t e s t i f y i s w h a t t h e t e s t r e s u l t s
a r e . He c a n n o t t e s t i f y a b o u t t h e m a n n e r i n w h i c h t h e y
w e r e a d m i n i s t e r e d , o r w h a t i t p u r p o r t e d a t t h e t i m e
g i v e n , o t h e r t h a n a s t h a t t e s t i s e x p l a i n e d b y w h a t e v e r
e x p l a n a t i o n i s p r o v i d e d b y t h e c o p y . I n o t h e r w o r d s ,
I am t r y i n g t o e s t a b l i s h t h a t M r . K e n n e d y o n l y h a s
t h e s e t e s t s i n h i s p o s s e s s i o n a s c u s t o d i a n o f t h e m a n d
t h e t e s t s m o r e o r l e s s s p e a k f o r t h e m s e l v e s .
THE COURT: He c a n t e s t i f y t o t h e r e c o r d .
MR. BUTLER: Y o u r H o n o r , M r . W h e e l e r , o n t h e
p l a i n t i f f s t e s t i m o n y y e s t e r d a y a s p r e s i d e n t o f t h e
s c h o o l b o a r d , w a s a s k e d a b o u t t h e s e p a r t i c u l a r t e s t s
b y Mr. W a l k e r .
THE COURT: T h a t i s t r u e .
(MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : M r . K e n n e d y ?
Y e s , s i r .
i n S e p t e m b e r , a c c o r d i n g t o y o u r r e c o r d s , w e r e t h e
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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c h i l d r e n i n W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l E l e m e n t a r y g i v e n t h e
C a l i f o r n i a A c h i e v e m e n t T e s t s S e p t e m b e r 2 0 , 1 9 6 7 ?
A . I t s o s t a t e s o n t h i s r e c o r d , s i r .
Q. On t h a t r e c o r d ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q. And i n w h a t c l a s s o r c l a s s e s ?
A . T h i s s a y s t h e W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l S c h o o l , W h e a t l e y ,
A r k a n s a s . L . R . J a c k s o n F i f t h G r a d e , 9 - 2 0 - 6 7 . T h e
f o r m u s e d w a s "W".
Q. How m any s t u d e n t s w e r e g i v e n t h a t t e s t , a c c o r d i n g t o
t h e r e c o r d ?
A. F o u r t e e n , s i r .
Q. W h a t w a s t h e r e s u l t o f t h a t t e s t ?
A. T h e t o t a l r e s u l t o f t h e t e s t i n t h e b a t t e r y f o r t h e
e n t i r e t e s t , s h o w e d t h a t t h e s t u d e n t s r a t e d a n a v e r a g e
o f t h e s e c o n d g r a d e i n t h e f o u r t h m o n t h .
Q. T h e s e w e r e f i f t h - g r a d e s t u d e n t s ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q. Do y o u h a v e i n y o u r f i l e s a L e e C l a r k R e a d i n g T e s t
r e c o r d w h i c h w a s m a d e o n A p r i l 1 1 , 1 9 6 8 , c l a s s ,
s e c o n d g r a d e , t a u g h t b y M r s . M e e k s ?
A. Y e s , s i r , I d o .
Q. How m any c h i l d r e n t o o k t h a t t e s t i n t h a t c l a s s ?
A . S i x t e e n .
Q. W h a t w a s t h e r e s u l t o f t h e t e s t s a c c o r d i n g t o t h e r e c o r d
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
292 .
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293.
i n y o u r f i l e ?
A. I t s h o w e d t h a t t h e s e s t u d e n t s s c o r e d , i f I am i n t e r
p r e t i n g r i g h t , 2 . 9 . S e c o n d g r a d e t e s t t h e l a t e r p a r t
o f t h e y e a r , 2 . 9 .
Q. W h a t d o e s t h a t i n d i c a t e ?
A. I n d i c a t e s t h a t t h e s t u d e n t s s c o r e d a 2 . 9 .
Q. Now, do y o u h a v e i n y o u r f i l e t h e N e l s o n R e a d i n g T e s t ?
A . Y e s , s i r . T a k e n A p r i l 1 9 , 1 9 6 8 , F o u r t h G r a d e t a u g h t
b y M r . C o l e m a n .
Q. Do y o u h a v e t h a t r e c o r d ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. How m a n y w e r e e x a m i n e d o r g i v e n t h e t e s t i n t h a t c l a s s
a t t h a t t i m e ?
A. Fifteen.
Q. What did that test reflect?
A . I t r e f l e c t e d t h a t t h e s t u d e n t s a v e r a g e f o r t h e g r o u p
w a s 2 . 7 .
Q. What does that mean, Mr. Kennedy?
A. T h a t i s t h e s e c o n d g r a d e , s e v e n t h m o n t h r a t i n g o f
f o u r t h g r a d e s t u d e n t s .
Q. D o e s t h a t m e a n t h a t t h e i r q u a l i t y o f e d u c a t i o n i n
r e a d i n g , e v e n t h o u g h t h e y w e r e i n t h e f o u r t h g r a d e ,
o n l y i n d i c a t e d t h e y h a d s c h o o l i n g c o m p a r a b l e t o s e c o n d
g r a d e , s e v e n t h m o n t h , i s t h a t w h a t i t m e a n s ?
MR. WALKER: He s a i d " q u a l i t y o f e d u c a t i o n . "
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a o o , A r k a n s a s
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294.
I t h i n k t h a t c e r t a i n l y i s n o t t h e p r o p e r w o r d i n g .
MR. BUTLER: Q u a l i t y o f r e a d i n g .
T h i s i s q u a l i t y o f r e a d i n g . T h e y r e a d o n t h e l e v e l
o f t h e s e c o n d g r a d e i n t h e s e v e n t h m o n t h .
MR. WALKER; Y o u r H o n o r , o u r o b j e c t i o n i s t h a t
i t d o e s n o t p u r p o r t t o m e a s u r e q u a l i t y , i t o n l y
m e a s u r e s r e s u l t s , i f a n y t h i n g .
THE COURT: T h e r e c o r d s p e a k s f o r i t s e l f .
Q. (MR. BUTLER, c o n t i n u i n g ) ; A l l r i g h t , Mr. K e n n e d y , d o
y o u h a v e t h e r e c o r d o f t h e t e s t s , N e l s o n R e a d i n g T e s t ,
g i v e n t o t h e f i f t h g r a d e , L . R. J a c k s o n , t e a c h e r s on
A p r i l 1 9 , 1 9 6 8 ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. How m a n y t o o k t h a t t e s t i n t h a t c l a s s ?
A. T h i r t e e n , s i r .
Q. And w h a t w e r e t h e r e s u l t s o f t h a t t e s t ?
T h e r e s u l t o f t h i s t e s t , a l l b e i n g f i f t h - g r a d e p u p i l s ,
t h e i r a v e r a g e s c o r e f o r t h e e n t i r e c l a s s w a s 2 . 7 i n
t h e r e a d i n g t e s t . T h a t i s t h e s e c o n d g r a d e , s e v e n t h
m o n t h , s i r .
THE COURT: W h a t d a t e ?
A. 4 - 1 9 - 1 9 6 8 .
Q. Do y o u h a v e a n y o t h e r r e c o r d s t h e r e w i t h r e g a r d t o t h e
c l a s s t a u g h t b y M r s . M i t t i e J a c k s o n ?
A. Y e s , s i r , I d o .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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295 *
Q • I t i s A p r i l 1 9 , 1 9 6 9 , a n d w h a t g r a d e ?
A. T h i s i s n o t d a t e d , s i r , i t i s f o r t h e t h i r d g r a d e . I
a s s u m e t h e y w e r e a l l g i v e n a t t h e s a m e t i m e . i t i s t h e
t h i r d g r a d e s t u d e n t s . T h e a v e r a g e f o r t h e c l a s s i s 2 ,
w h i c h w o u l d m e an s e c o n d g r a d e , a n d i n d i c a t i n g t h e y
w e r e o n e y e a r b e h i n d o n t h e i r r e a d i n g o r o n e - t h i r d o f
t h e i r e d u c a t i o n .
Q. Do y o u h a v e a n y o t h e r t e s t s t h e r e t h a t w e r e g i v e n i n
t h e 1 9 6 8 , o r 1 9 6 7 ?
A. I d o n ' t t h i n k s o , I b e l i e v e t h a t i s a l l I h a v e .
Q- D o e s t h a t c o v e r w h a t y o u h a v e f o u n d i n y o u r r e c o r d s
w i t h r e g a r d t o W h e a t l e y c e n t r a l E l e m e n t a r y i n 1967 a n d
i n 1 9 6 8 ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. W i l l y o u m a k e t h e s e c o p i e s o f t h e s e r e c o r d s a b o u t
w h i c h y o u t e s t i f i e d e x h i b i t s t o y o u r t e s t i m o n y ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q- I hand you copies here and ask you if these are true
copies about which you testified?
A. Y e s , s i r .
THE COURT: W i t h t h e e x p l a n a t i o n t h a t h a s b e e n
g i v e n a s t o w h a t t h e y a r e , w i t h o u t f u r t h e r o b j e c t i o n ,
t h e y w i l l b e r e c e i v e d .
MR. WALKER: Y o u r H o n o r , I h a v e a c o n t i n u i n g
o b j e c t i o n t o t h e m .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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2 96.
(WHEREUPON, t h e d o c u m e n t s w e r e
m a r k e d D e f e n d a n t s ' E x h i b i t 9 f o r
i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , r e c e i v e d i n e v i d e n c e
a n d m a d e a p a r t o f t h e r e c o r d h e r e o f . )
Q. (MR. BUTLER, continuing): Mr. Kennedy, at the time
you became superintendent of the Wheatley school Distric
July 1 , or July, 1 9 6 8 , how many teachers had already
been hired for the school year?
A. All of them but two.
Q. All b u t t w o ?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. After you became superintendent did you have any that
had been hired to resign?
A. Yes, I had one.
Q. Who was that?
A. Mrs. Haley.
Q. And when did she tender her resignation?
A. The latter part of August.
Q. Was that just before the beginning of the school term
' 6 8 - 6 9 ?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. How many teachers or personnel have you hired for the
Wheatley School District since you have been superin-
tendent?
A. I have hired two.
Q- And who were they?
U n
J O A N F. L I N E S
i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l o i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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A. M r . G l e n n R o b i n s o n a n d M r . W i l l i a m L e e .
Q. When w a s t h e p r i n c i p a l o f t h e s c h o o l h i r e d ?
A. A b o u t t h e f i r s t o f S e p t e m b e r .
Q. He w a s h i r e d a f t e r y o u b e c a m e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f s c h o o l s ;
A. Oh, y e s , 1 s t o f S e p t e m b e r , ! 6 8 .
Q. A r e t h e y t h e o n l y t h r e e p e r s o n n e l y o u h a v e h i r e d ?
A. M r . L e e i s t h e p r i n c i p a l .
Q. M r . L e e i s t h e p r i n c i p a l ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q. Who w a s t h e o t h e r ?
A. M r . R o b i n s o n , f i f t h - g r a d e t e a c h e r .
Q. W h o s e p l a c e d i d h e f i l l ?
A. M r s . H a l e y ' s .
Q. A nd t h i s h a s b e e n a l l t h e h i r i n g t h e s c h o o l b o a r d h a s
d o n e s i n c e y o u h a v e b e e n i t s s u p e r i n t e n d e n t ?
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q. I b e l i e v e y o u s t a t e d t h a t y o u h a v e b e e n i n s c h o o l
a d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r a b o u t e l e v e n y e a r s ?
A. I t i s l o n g e r t h a n t h a t , s i r . I n g i v i n g my o r i g i n a l
t e s t i m o n y y o u a s k e d w h e r e I h a d w o r k e d i n p u b l i c
s c h o o l s i n A r k a n s a s . I w o r k e d f o r t h e S o u t h C e n t r a l
A s s o c i a t i o n o f S e c o n d a r y S c h o o l s a n d C o l l e g e s , a n d
M e m p h i s S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y a n d i n t h e S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t
o f E d u c a t i o n i n T e n n e s s e e b e f o r e I c a m e t o A r k a n s a s .
Q. L e t me a s k y o u t h i s q u e s t i o n , M r . K e n n e d y . J u s t b e c a u s e
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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a teacher has a degree doesn't mean he is qualified to
teach anything in any school, is that true?
A. That is certainly true. We have legal requirements
*
on this just like you do the law, sir. I could no more
teach first grade that I could practice law legally,
so this is pretty important in the educational field,
Mr. Butler. We have joked about this so long that it
has hurt a lot of children and it is still hurting
children. And this is the thing that we in the
educational field are quite serious about. We are
trying to be and we are trying to improve it. Does that
answer your questions?
Q. Yes. Now since you have been superintendent of the
Wheatley School District, have you had any other
applications for jobs?
A. Yes, I have had some. I had one Negro and I have had
three -- I have had four white and one Negro.
Q. Are those applications on file in your office now?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Why haven't you given them favorable attention?
A. Why haven't I?
Q. Yes, why haven't you?
A. Mr. Robinson, I did, he and the two others. I needed
teachers and I hired one of these people. And the
others I haven't needed.
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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2 99.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q-
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q-
You haven't had a vacancy and haven't needed them?
There is no point in hiring a teacher if you don't have
a vacancy.
Since you have been superintendent of schools at
Wheatley, have Mr. Jackson, Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Meeks
or Mr. Coleman, filed applications to come back to
work for the school district?
No, sir.
Now, in checking through your files, did you find any
records pertaining to Mrs. Mittie Jackson with regard
to purchases she made which had been charged to the
Wheatley School District?
Yes, sir, I have.
But do you know personally about these?
Well, the collector called on me one time and asked
if I could help.
Since you have been superintendent of schools?
Yes.
A collector for what company?
I don't remember the company, but his name was
Messenger, Aubrey Messenger, I believe.
Did you find in your files some statements from the
School Products Company?
Yes, sir.
Pertaining to items that Mrs. Jackson had purchased?
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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A.
Q-
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Yes, sir.
And charged to the school district?
Yes, sir.
Was it in connection with these items that Mr. Kessenger
called on you?
Yes, sir.
When was that?
In August, I believe, or September '68.
Shortly after you became superintendent of schools?
Yes, sir.
What in particular had she bought that he was question
ing?
I don't remember. I believe I asked the secretary to
find out what this was and — -
MR. WALKER: Objection.
And she wrote to Mr. Richardson, and I believe he said
it was in the files and told me where to find it. He ha
refused to pay for it because he had not authorized it.
MR. WALKER: Objection.
(MR.BUTLER, continuing): Mr. Richardson had refused?
He told me so in a letter --
And what was the purchase of?
I don't remember, sir.
MR. BUTLER: I believe that is all.
MR. WALKER: May I see the bills that you refer
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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t o , M r . B u t l e r , f r o m t h e S c h o o l p r o d u c t s C o m p a n y ?
( O b s e r v i n g . )
CROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR. WALKER:
Q. Now, c a n y o u p r o v e t h a t M r s . J a c k s o n m a d e a n y p u r c h a s e s
f r o m t h e S c h o o l P r o d u c t s Com pany t h a t s h e c h a r g e d t o
t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t ?
A. A r e y o u a s k i n g me?
Q. Y e s .
A . I s u p p o s e I c o u l d n o t .
Q. I s n ' t i t t r u e t h a t o n t h e i n v o i c e t h a t y o u r e f e r r e d t o
t h a t M r s . J a c k s o n ' s nam e i s n o t e v e n m e n t i o n e d a n d y o u
h a v e a b s o l u t e l y n o w a y o f t r a c i n g t h i s t o M r s . J a c k s o n ?
A. M r . K e s s e n g e r c a l l e d o n me.
Q. B u t o t h e r t h a n y o u r l i t t l e n o t e t h e r e — d i d y o u w r i t e
t h a t n o t e ?
A. Y e s , s i r , t h a t ' s my w r i t i n g .
Q. Do y o u r e m e m b e r t h e d a t e y o u w r o t e t h a t n o t e ?
A . No, s i r , I d o n o t .
Q. R e a d t h a t n o t e w o u l d y o u ?
A . " A u b r e y K e s s i n g e r t r i e d t o s e e h e r a n d s h e w o u l d n o t
l e t h i m i n h e r h o u s e a n d s a i d s h e w o u l d p a y t h i s i n
L i t t l e R o c k o n M o n d a y . "
Q. Do y o u s e e M r s . M i t t i e J a c k s o n ' s nam e o n t h i s a n y w h e r e ?
A. He b r o u g h t i t t o me —
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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Q. No; do you see her name?
A. No.
Q. So for all we know it could have been for another persor
other than your word, is that right?
A. It so states on another item there with her name on top
of it.
Q. I am n o t t a l k i n g a b o u t a n o t h e r i t e m . I am t a l k i n g
a b o u t t h i s o n e , P l a i n t i f f s ' E x h i b i t 1 0 . I h a v e a c o p y
o f a n i n v o i c e o r a s t a t e m e n t t o t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l
D i s t r i c t d a t e d — s t a m p d a t e d S e p t e m b e r 1 8 , 1 9 6 8 , do
y o u a c c u s e M r s . J a c k s o n o f h a v i n g m a d e t h o s e d e b t s ?
A. I a s k e d my s e c r e t a r y t o f i n d o u t w h e n t h i s w a s p u r c h a s e d
a n d b y whom.
Q. You know what it was?
A. No, sir.
Q. A l l y o u s e e t h e r e i s a b a l a n c e a n d y o u d o n ' t k n o w b y
whom i t w a s p u r c h a s e d , d o y o u ?
A. As f a r a s k n o w i n g I d o n ' t .
Q. I am t a l k i n g a b o u t S e p t e m b e r 1 8 . W h a t i s t h e n o t e y o u
h a v e m a d e o n t h e r e ?
A. "See what this is for."
Q. You don't know whether she made all of these purchases
or one of them, or who made them, do you?
A. That is correct.
MR. WALKER: I w o u l d l i k e t o h a v e t h i s m ade
J O A N F, L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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303.
P l a i n t i f f s ' E x h i b i t s 10 a n d 1 1 .
THE COURT: Let it be received.
(WHEREUPON, t h e d o c u m e n t s w e r e
m a r k e d P l a i n t i f f s ' E x h i b i t 10 a n d 11
i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , r e c e i v e d i n e v i d e n c e
a n d m a de a p a r t o f t h e r e c o r d h e r e o f . )
0 . (MR. WALKER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : Now, c a n y o u i d e n t i f y t h i s
p a r t i c u l a r i n v o i c e a s h a v i n g com e f r o m t h e S c h o o l
P r o d u c t s C o m p a n y ?
A. Yes.
Q. Made out to the Wheatley School?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. What is the amount of this?
A. 7 . 9 1 .
Q. W h a t i s t h e d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n t h a t p a r t i c u l a r i n v o i c e
a n d t h e i n v o i c e w h i c h h a s b e e n e x h i b i t e d a s P l a i n t i f f s '
E x h i b i t 1 0 ?
A . T h i s i s t h e f i r s t o n e I r e c e i v e d a n d I h a v e a n o t e t o
my secretary. This is the statement about Mr. Kessinger,
what he told me.
Q. B u t o n t h i s o n e , w h a t d i d y o u s a y , w o u l d y o u r e a d i t
t o t h e c o u r t ?
A. " C h e c k t h i s o u t a n d s e e i f M r s . J a c k s o n o r d e r e d h e r e ,
a n d s e n d me a s t a t e m e n t o n w h a t s h e h a s o r d e r e d a n d
c h a r g e d t o t h e s c h o o l i n 1 9 6 7 - 6 8 . "
Q. Have you received a letter setting out what she has
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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c h a r g e d t o t h e s c h o o l f r o m t h e c o m p a n y ?
A. O n l y a n i n v o i c e ,
Q. You h a v e r e c e i v e d a n i n v o i c e a n d t h a t i s t h e n e x t
s t a t e m e n t r i g h t h e r e , i s t h a t r i g h t , s i r ?
A. Y e s , s i r ,
MR. WALKER: I w o u l d l i k e t o h a v e t h i s m a r k e d
a s P l a i n t i f f s 1 E x h i b i t 12 f o r i d e n t i f i c a t i o n ,
(WHEREUPON, t h e d o c u m e n t w a s
m a r k e d P l a i n t i f f s 1 E x h i b i t 12 f o r
i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , r e c e i v e d i n e v i d e n c e
a n d m a d e a p a r t o f t h e r e c o r d h e r e o f , )
Q. (MR. WALKER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : Now w o u l d y o u t e l l me w h a t
i t e m s s h e p u r c h a s e d , s i r , o n t h e b a s i s o f t h e s e
r e s p o n s e s f r o m t h e S c h o o l P r o d u c t s C o m p a n y ?
A. T h e s e a r e o n l y i n v o i c e n u m b e r s .
Q. You d o n ' t k n o w w h a t w a s p u r c h a s e d t h e r e , d o y o u ?
A. No, I d o n ' t .
Q. W h a t w a s t h e n a t e y o u m a d e o n t h e r e ?
A. " C h a r g e d t o t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l , u s e d p e r s o n a l l y , n o t
a u t h o r i z e d b y Mr . R i c h a r d s o n . "
Q. W h a t d i d s h e b u y ?
A . T h i s I am n o t s u r e .
Q. How d o y o u k n o w s h e u s e d i t p e r s o n a l l y ?
A. One i t e m w a s som e b a t h s c a l e s , o r s o m e t h i n g .
Q. T h a t i s o n a n o t h e r i n v o i c e , $ 7 . 9 1 , w h i c h i s P l a i n t i f f s '
E x h i b i t N o . 1 0 ? T h i s i s h e a l t h - r o o m s c a l e s .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
3 04 „
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A. H e a l t h - r o o m s c a l e s ,
Q. You d o n ' t k n o w w h e t h e r s h e u s e d t h o s e a t s c h o o l o r n o t ,
d o y o u ?
A. I d o n o t k n o w w h e t h e r s h e u s e d t h e m o r n o t .
MR. WALKER: T h i s w i l l b e a d u p l i c a t e o f t h e
o t h e r .
Q. (MR. WALKER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : So y o u d o n ' t k n o w w h a t t h o s e
i t e m s a r e t h a t s h e w a s s u p p o s e d t o h a v e p u r c h a s e d f r o m
S c h o o l p r o d u c t s C o m p a n y , d o y o u ?
A. No, s i r .
Q. You d o n ' t k n o w w h e t h e r s h e u s e d t h e m p e r s o n a l l y , d o
y o u ?
A. No, s i r .
Q. W h a t i s t h e t o t a l a m o u n t o f t h i s b i l l ?
A. $ 2 0 9 . 1 2 .
Q. Who i s t h e s t a t e m e n t t o ?
A. S t a t e m e n t t o ?
Q. To whom i s i t a d d r e s s e d ?
A . M r s . M i t t i e W. J a c k s o n .
Q. N o t c o n s i d e r i n g y o u r w r i t t e n n o t e down t h e r e , d o e s t h i s
r e f l e c t t h a t i t w a s c h a r g e d t o t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l —
d o e s t h i s s t a t e m e n t r e f l e c t t h i s a m o u n t w a s c h a r g e d t o
t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l ?
A. T h e s t a t e m e n t d o e s n o t .
Q. Do y o u h a v e a n y e v i d e n c e a t a l l w h e r e i n t h e W h e a t l e y
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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S c h o o l D i s t r i c t h a s p a i d a n y d e b t m a d e b y Mm J a c k s o n ?
A. No, sir, I do not.
Q. Now with regard to the standardized tests, do you have
the other tests with you which reflect the performance
of pupils in other teachers' classes?
A. No, sir, I do not have them with me.
Q. Have you a record from which you can testify which
sets out what those results are?
A. Do I have a record?
Q. Yes, with you?
A. No, sir.
Q. Do y o u k n o w w h a t t h e r a n g e o f a p t i t u d e s c o r e s w e r e f o r
p u p i l s o f t h e w h i t e s c h o o l s i n g r a d e o n e f o r 1 9 6 7 - 6 8
s c h o o l y e a r ?
A. Would you rephrase your question again?
Q. Do y o u k n o w w h a t t h e r a n g e o f a p t i t u d e s c o r e s w a s f o r
p u p i l s i n g r a d e o n e i n W h e a t l e y S c h o o l f o r t h e 1 9 6 7 - 6 8
s c h o o l y e a r ?
A. We do not give aptitude tests to first-grade students.
Q. What was the range for pupils in grade two at the
Wheatley School?
A. We d o n o t g i v e a p t i t u d e t e s t s .
Q. What does this Lee Clark Reading Test supposed to
measure?
A. Measure the ability to read.
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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3 0 7 .
Q.
A.
Q-
A.
Q.
Q-
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
How do you know that?
That is how well you read.
How well you read?
Yes.
Tell me specifically who developed the Lee Clark Reading
Test, what it purports to measure, conditions under
which it is supposed to be administered?
I cannot tell you specifically. This was given
by a guidance counselor who has a master's degree on
the subject.
So you don't know what happened. You don't know whether
the teacher who administered the test, gave the students
a sufficient amount of time to take the test, do you?
Do you know?
I do not know. I can only testify to what was in my
files.
Do your files reflect how much time she gave during the
administration of this test to each pupil?
The time requirement was set up in those standard tests.
That was not the point. Do you know how much time she
actually spent on it?
Your question is misleading, sir. Rephrase it.
You answered it.
I cannot answer it I don't know what you mean.
THE COURT: You can answer, if you know. He
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d s t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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308.
a s k e d y o u i f y o u k n e w how much t i m e t h e y g a v e .
Q. (MR. WALKER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : Now, M r . K e n n e d y , a r e y o u
s u g g e s t i n g t h a t t h e s e t e a c h e r s a r e t h e o n e s who a r e
p r i m a r i l y r e s p o n s i b l e f o r w h a t e v e r t e s t s c o r e s t h e s e
p u p i l s may h a v e m a d e ?
A. W h i c h t e a c h e r s ?
Q. T h e s e f o u r t e a c h e r s who w e r e d i s m i s s e d ?
A. No, I am n o t s u g g e s t i n g a n y t h i n g .
Q. W h a t p o i n t a r e y o u t r y i n g t o m a k e w i t h r e g a r d t o t h e
t e s t s ?
A. I am n o t m a k i n g a n y p o i n t , I am j u s t p r e s e n t i n g t h e
t e s t s „
Q. W h a t d o t h e y p u r p o r t t o s h o w ? Why d o y o u w a n t t o u s e
t h e m ?
A. Why d o I w a n t t o u s e t h e m ?
Q. Y e s , w h a t a r e y o u t r y i n g t o s h o w b y t h e m ?
A . I d o n ' t t h i n k I am t r y i n g t o s h o w a n y t h i n g . I am j u s t
l e t t i n g t h e t e s t s s p e a k a n d l e t t i n g t h e c o u r t d e c i d e
w h a t t h e y s h o w .
Q. Do y o u k n o w w h a t t h e n o r m i s f o r t h e N e g r o p u p i l s i n
M r s . C a n n o n ' s c l a s s t h i s y e a r ?
A. I h a v e i t y e s , i n my f i l e s a t h o m e . My c o u n s e l o r h a s
i t .
Q. B u t y o u d o n ' t k n o w how t h e y c o m p a r e t o t h e t h i r d g r a d e r s
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
A. No.
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A.
Q.
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Q.
A.
a t t h e C e n t r a l S c h o o l f o r ‘ 6 7 - 6 8 , do y o u ?
Yes, sir, I do.
Do you have those records here with you?
No, I do not.
Is it your testimony that these four teachers were
causing their youngsters one way or the other, along
with the school system, to score below the national
norm? Isn't that basically what you're saying? if a
person, for instance, is in the second grade, then it
would be expected according to the national norm for
him to have a score on any recognized test of 2, in
that about right?
It should be.
So that if any one of these teachers had her pupils
above the two-point level, that would mean that she was
doing a good job, wouldn't it?
No, not necessarily.
What would it mean then?
It can again depend on how that teacher gave that test.
Oh, I see. If she had the pupils below the two-point
norm, would it mean that the teacher was doing a
competent teaching job?
Tests are not always a very valid indication in the
case of one or two or three pupils, but in the case of
an entire school system they are.
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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310.
Q. Row many people would have to be within the school
system for it to be a valid indicator?
A- I w o u l d s a y a b o u t 1 0 0 . A t h o u s a n d w o u l d b e b e t t e r .
Q* A t h o u s a n d w o u l d b e b e t t e r ?
A. Y e s .
Q. So y o u w o u l d h a v e t o t e s t a t l e a s t a h u n d r e d , w o u l d y o u
n o t ?
A. Y e s .
Q. How m a n y d i d y o u t e s t i n t h e t h i r d , f o u r t h a n d f i f t h
g r a d e a t t h e W h e a t l e y C e n t r a l S c h o o l ?
A. I d i d n ' t t e s t a n y .
Q. A c c o r d i n g t o t h e r e c o r d s , w h a t d o y o u p u r p o r t t h o s e
r e c o r d s s h o w — a n d I w i l l g i v e y o u t h e e x h i b i t s b a c k .
On t h e N e l s o n T e s t w h i c h X h a n d y o u — t h r e e p a g e s —■
i n t h e f o u r t h g r a d e how m a n y p u p i l s w e r e t h e r e ?
A . F i f t e e n .
Q. And t h e f i t h g r a d e how m a n y p u p i l s w e r e t h e r e ?
A. T h i r t e e n .
Q. T h a t i s a t o t a l o f t w e n t y - e i g h t , i s t h a t r i g h t ?
A . R i g h t .
Q. And t h e t h i r d g r a d e ?
A . T h i r t e e n .
Q. T h a t i s a t o t a l o f f o r t y - o n e , i s t h a t r i g h t ?
A . Y e s , s i r .
Q. So y o u r t e s t p o p u l a t i o n w a s f o r t y - o n e . T h i s i s t h e N e l s
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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t e s t .
Q. Now, on t h e C a l i f o r n i a A c h i e v e m e n t T e s t g i v e n a t a
d i f f e r e n t t i m e , w h a t w a s t h e t e s t n u m b e r o f p e r s o n s
w ho w a s t e s t e d - w o u l d y o u g o t h r o u g h i t ?
A . F o u r t e e n .
Q . S e c o n d g r a d e ?
A. S i x t e e n .
Q. A t o t a l o f t h i r t y t h u s f a r ?
A. Y e s .
Q. And g r a d e o n e ?
A. T w e n t y f o u r .
Q. F i f t y f o u r . I t h o u g h t y o u d i d n ' t g i v e t e s t s t o p u p i l s
i n g r a d e o n e .
A . I s a i d we d i d n ' t g i v e a p t i t u d e t e s t s .
Q . W h a t i s t h e C a l i f o r n i a - - t h i s i s a r e a d i n g t e s t .
A . Y e s .
Q. Now, i f o n e t e a c h e r , t h o u g h , h a d h e r c l a s s c o n s i d e r a b l y
a b o v e t h e n a t i o n a l a v e r a g e , w o u l d t h i s b e a n i n d i c a t i o n
t h a t s h e i s n o t a n i n c o m p e t e n t t e a c h e r p e r h a p s ?
A. P e r h a p s .
Q. I t may a l s o i n d i c a t e t h a t s h e h a s a b r i g h t g r o u p o f
s t u d e n t s , r i g h t ?
A. P e r h a p s .
Q. And i f h e r s t u d e n t s h a p p e n t o s c o r e b e l o w t h e n a t i o n a l
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e o S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
A. Right.
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a v e r a g e , t h i s may a l s o i n d i c a t e t h a t i n t e r m s o f
a b i l i t y a n d a p t i t u d e t h e s t u d e n t s a s a g r o u p a r e b e l o w
t h e n a t i o n a l a v e r a g e , w o u l d i t n o t ?
A . You a r e u s i n g t h e w o r d " a p t i t u d e " h e r e , a n d t o me
i t ’ s , . .
Q. A l l r i g h t , l e t ' s u s e a c h i e v e m e n t ,
A . F i n e .
Q. C an y o u b l a m e a f i f t h - g r a d e t e a c h e r f o r t h e r e s u l t o f -
s a y h e h a s h a d p u p i l s t h r e e m o n t h s - - f o r t h e i r p e r
f o r m a n c e on a t e s t i f t h o s e p u p i l s h a p p e n t o s c o r e
c o n s i d e r a b l y b e l o w t h e n a t i o n a l e p e c t a t i o n ?
A . A r e y o u a s k i n g me a s a n e d u c a t o r ?
Q. Y e s .
A. S t a t e y o u r q u e s t i o n a g a i n .
Q. L e t u s a s s u m e t h a t M r . J a c k s o n , a f i f t h g r a d e t e a c h e r ,
r e c e i v e s t w e n t y p u p i l s f r o m t h e f o u r t h g r a d e t e a c h e r ,
a n d t h a t y o u t e s t t h e m i n O c t o b e r o r N o v e m b e r o f t h e
s c h o o l y e a r s e v e r a l m o n t h s a f t e r t h e y h a v e com e i n t o
h i s c l a s s r o o m , a n d t h o s e p u p i l s t e s t s o u t a t m a y b e tw o
g r a d e s b e l o w t h e n a t i o n a l n o r m . How m u c h o f t h i s
f a i l u r e t o m e a s u r e u p t o t h e n a t i o n a l n o r m c a n b e
a t t r i b u t e d t o M r . J a c k s o n ' s c o m p e t e n c e o r i n c o m p e t e n c e ?
T h i s i s a h y p o t h e t i c a l q u e s t i o n .
I t i s e x t r e m e l y h y p o t h e t i c a l , s i r , a n d I d o n ' t t h i n k i t
c o u l d b e a c c u r a t e l y a s c e r t a i n e d on t h e b a s i s y o u h a v e
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l o i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
a s s u m e d i n y o u r s t a t e m e n t .
W h a t o t h e r f a c t o r s g o i n t o d e t e r m i n i n g w h e t h e r o r n o t
a p u p i l m e a s u r e s u p t o t h e n a t i o n a l n o r m b e s i d e s
o b v i o u s f a c t o r s l i k e t h e a m o u n t o f t i m e g i v e n i n
a d m i n i s t e r i n g t h e t e s t ?
T h e r e a r e s o m a n y y o u c o u l d a l l o w w i t h t h i s .
I s n ' t i t t r u e b a s i c a l l y , a c c o r d i n g t o y o u r i n f o r m a t i o n
i n y o u r e x p e r i e n c e i n e a s t e r n A r k a n s a s t h a t b e c a u s e o f
a n y e d u c a t i o n a l q u a l i t i e s o f t h e p a s t , b l a c k y o u n g s t e r s
h a v e a t e n d e n c y w h e n t h e y e n t e r s c h o o l t o s c o r e b e l o w
w h i t e y o u n g s t e r s on s t a n d a r d i z e d a c h i e v e m e n t t e s t s ?
You a r e l i m i t i n g t h i s t o e a s t e r n A r k a n s a s ?
R i g h t now , we a r e i n e a s t e r n A r k a n s a s a n d t h a t i s w h a t
I am l i m i t i n g i t t o .
My e x p e r i e n c e i s t h a t t h e y h a v e s c o r e d a l i t t l e b l o w ,
b u t n o t a s m u c h a s p e o p l e m i g h t l e a d y o u t o b e l i e v e .
W o u l d n ' t y o u a l s o s a y , a n d h a v e n ' t y o u a l r e a d y s t a t e d
i n y o u r d e p o s i t i o n e a r l i e r , t h a t t h i s i s h i s t o r i c a l l y
m u c h d u e t o t h e f a i l u r e o f s c h o o l s y s t e m s t o p r o v i d e
e q u a l e d u c a t i o n a l o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r b l a c k p u p i l s ?
H i s t o r i c a l l y y e s .
Now, w o u l d n ' t i t b e e x p e c t e d t h a t y o u n g s t e r s i n a
s c h o o l w h i c h i s a c c r e d i t e d w o u l d t e n d t o a c h i e v e a
h i g h e r r a t e o r l e v e l t h a n p u p i l s i n a n u n a c c r e d i t e d
s c h o o l ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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314,
Q. W o u l d i t d e p e n d e n t i r e l y on t h e t e a c h e r s o r t h e
s i t u a t i o n ?
A . I t h i n k i t w o u l d d e p e n d m o r e u p o n t h e t e a c h e r t h a n a n y
o t h e r f a c t o r i n c l u d e d .
Q. S o i t w o u l d n o t d e p e n d e n t i r e l y on t h e t e a c h e r , w o u l d
i t ?
A. N o , I w o u l d s a y s e v e n t y - f i v e p e r c e n t , y e s .
Q . Do y o u h a v e a n y e d u c a t o r s who s u p p o r t y o u r v i e w t h a t you
c a n c i t e ?
A . T h a t t h e t e a c h e r i s t h e m o s t - -
Q- No, t h a t t h e t e a c h e r i s s e v e n t y - f i v e p e r c e n t r e s p o n s i b l e
f o r w h a t a p u p i l s c o r e s on a t e s t ?
A . N o .
Q. I s n ' t i t t r u e t h a t y o u c a n t a k e some y o u n g s t e r s f r o m
c u l t u r a l l y d e p r i v e d b a c k g r o u n d s a n d p u t t h e m i n t h e
b e s t l e a r n e d s i t u a t i o n s a n d t h e y w i l l n e v e r m e a s u r e u p
t o t h e n a t i o n a l n o r m ?
A . T h i s h a s n e v e r b e e n p r o v e n .
Q. My p o i n t i s , i f a p e r s o n d o e s n ' t h a v e t h e a b i l i t y - -
i f h e i s l o w IQ o r w h a t h a v e y o u - - t h a t r e g a r d l e s s o f
how m u c h y o u g i v e h i m , h e i s n o t g o i n g t o b e a b l e , a l l
o t h e r f a c t o r s e q u a l , t o m e a s u r e u p t o t h e n a t i o n a l
n o r m a t e v e r y l e v e l h e i s t e s t e d ?
A . C e r t a i n l y t h i s w o u l d b e t r u e i n some v e r y r a r e c a s e s .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
A. That would depend entirely on the teachers.
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315,
You h a v e t e s t i f i e d a b o u t M r . J a c k s o n a n d some o f t h e
o t h e r s , a n d y o u s a y t h a t t h e i r p u p i l s d i d n ' t s c o r e v e r y
w e l l . I a s k y o u i f y o u —-
I s a i d a c c o r d i n g t o t h e r e c o r d .
You s a y a c c o r d i n g t o t h e r e c o r d . T h i s i s y o u r r e c o r d .
I w i l l a s k y o u t o i d e n t i f y t h i s r e c o r d 7
I t i s t h e L e e C l a r k R e a d i n g T e s t .
And b y whom w a s i t a d m i n i s t e r e d ?
I am n o t s u r e .
L o o k a n d s e e .
" T e a c h e r , M r s . M e e k s . "
T h i s i s a l r e a d y y o u r e x h i b i t 9 . T h i s i s f o r s e c o n d
g r a d e p u p i l s , r i g h t ?
Y e s .
W h a t w a s t h e r e s u l t f o r p u p i l s i n g r a d e t w o ?
2 . 9 .
So t h i s m e a n s t h a t t h e p u p i l s i n h e r c l a s s w e r e . 9 a b o v e
t h e n a t i o n a l a v e r a g e ?
No, s i r , i t d o e s n ' t .
W h a t d o e s i t m e a n ?
I t w a s g i v e n m A p r i l , s o t h e y s h o u l d h a v e s c o r e d 2 . 7 o r
8 .
L e t s a s s u m e t h e y s h o u l d h a v e s c o r e d s o m e w h e r e b e l o w
2 . 9 .
A l l r i g h t .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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316.
Q* T h e f a c t i s s h e h a d t h e m a b o v e t h e n a t i o n a l n o r m ,
i s n ' t t h a t t r u e ?
A. T h i s i s t r u e o n t h i s t e s t .
Q. So t h e a p t i t u d e t e s t d o e s n ' t r e a l l y r e f l e c t t h a t s h e
w a s a p o o r t e a c h e r , d o e s i t ? On t h e b a s i s o f t h a t t e s t
a l o n e y o u c a n n o t c o n c l u d e s h e w a s a p o o r t e a c h e r , c a n
y o u ?
A * N o ' I c a n c o n c l u d e , i f i may a d d , t h a t s h e w a s n o t a
g u i d a n c e c o u n s e l o r , s h e w a s a t e a c h e r g i v i n g o n h e r
own c o n d i t i o n s .
Q. Who a d m i n i s t e r e d t h a t t e s t ?
A . M r s . M e e k s , I s u p p o s e .
Q- N o . You s t a t e d e a r l i e r t h a t t h e s e t e s t s w e r e
a d m i n i s t e r e d b y t h e g u i d a n c e c o u n s e l o r . T h i s i s t h e
s a m e t e s t y o u r l a w y e r i n t r o d u c e d i n t o t h e r e c o r d a s
D e f e n d a n t s ' E x h i b i t 9 . I ' m j u s t l o o k i n g a t t h e m a
l i t t l e m o r e c l o s e l y .
A. I m s t i l l t r y i n g t o f i n d o u t who a d m i n i s t e r e d t h e t e s t s .
Q* I d o n ' t s e e w h e r e a n y o f t h e s e t e s t s s t a t e who
a d m i n i s t e r e d t h e m , a n d t h e r e i s n o p r o o f t h a t t h e y
w e r e a d m i n i s t e r e d b y a n y o n e i n p a r t i c u l a r .
THE COURT: The t e s t i m o n y y e s t e r d a y s t a t e d t h a t
t h e y w e r e a d m i n i s t e r e d b y t h e c o u n s e l o r , a n d f r o m t h e
t e s t i m o n y o f t h i s w i t n e s s t h e y w e r e a d m i n i s t e r e d b y t h e
c o u n s e l o r „
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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317,
MR. WALKER: T h a n k y o u .
Q. (MR. WALKER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : I w o u l d l i k e t o g o i n t o som e
o t h e r f a c t o r s w i t h y o u . I n a c l a s s o f t h i r t e e n p u p i l s ,
i s n ' t i t l i k e l y t h a t y o u w i l l h a v e s o m e r a n g e o f a c h i e v e
m e n t s c o r e s ?
A. N o t n e c e s s a r i l y ; i t d e p e n d s o n t h e a g e a n d t h e g r a d e s
o f t h e p u p i l s . i t w o u l d b e v e r y much c l o s e r o n y o u n g e r
p u p i l s t h a n i t w o u l d o l d e r p u p i l s .
Q. I n t h e t e r m s o f a c h i e v e m e n t , i s n ' t i t l i k e l y t h a t i n
e v e r y c l a s s y o u h a v e w i t h i n a s c h o o l s y s t e m y o u a r e
g o i n g t o h a v e a w i d e r a n g e o f s c o r e s ?
A. W i d e r a n g e o f s c o r e s , y e s .
Q* I s n ' t i t l i k e l y a l s o t h a t some o f t h e s e y o u n g s t e r s who
w e r e b e i n g t a u g h t b y t h e s e p l a i n t i f f s u n d e r no
c i r c u m s t a n c e s h a v e h a d t h e p r i o r t r a i n i n g o r e x p e r i e n c e
w i t h t h e i r s o c i e t y w h e r e i n t h e y c o u l d s c o r e u p t o t h e
n a t i o n a l n o r m ?
A. You s a y som e o f t h e m ?
Q. Y e s .
A . Some o f t h e m , m a y b e .
Q. I s n ' t i t t r u e a l s o , M r . K e n n e d y , t o y o u r k n o w l e d g e
t h a t a c c o r d i n g t o n a t i o n a l t e s t s w h i c h a r e a d m i n i s t e r e d ,
t h a t s o u t h e r n s t u d e n t s d o n o t s c o r e u p t o t h e n a t i o n a l
n o r m r e g a r d l e s s o f t h e i r r a c e o r c o l o r — a c c o r d i n g t o
n a t i o n a l l y a d m i n i s t e r e d t e s t s ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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318 „
Q. You d i d n o t k n o w t h i s ?
A. No, s i r . I k n o w i t t o b e t h a t t h e y d o i n s o m e s c h o o l s .
Q. I am n o t t a l k i n g a b o u t som e s c h o o l s , I am t a l k i n g
a b o u t g e n e r a l l y .
A. I h a v e r e c o r d s w h e r e I h a v e g i v e n p r e v i o u s t o s e v e r a l
y e a r s a g o , we w i l l s a y .
Q. L e t me a s k y o u t h i s . I s n ' t i t t r u e t h a t w h e n t h e a r m e d
f o r c e s g a v e s t a n d a r d i z e d t e s t s t o p e r s o n s t h r o u g h o u t
t h e c o u n t r y f o r e n t r a n c e i n t o t h e s e r v i c e s , t h a t
p e r s o n s f r o m t h e s o u t h s c o r e d l o w e r o n t h o s e t e s t s
t h a n t h e y d i d f r o m a n y o t h e r r e g i o n ?
A . P e r s o n s , b u t t h e s e a r e •—-
Q- I am t a l k i n g a b o u t t h e a v e r a g e f o r t h e s o u t h w a s b e l o w
t h e r e s t o f t h e n a t i o n ?
A. Y e s .
Q. I s n ' t i t a l s o c e r t a i n t h a t t h e N e g r o e s i n t h e s o u t h
s c o r e d l o w e r t h a n t h e w h i t e i n t h e s o u t h ?
A. Y e s .
Q. I s n ' t i t t r u e t h a t h i s t o r i c a l l y t h i s r e f l e c t s t h e f a c t
t h a t t h e q u a l i t y o f e d u c a t i o n a l o p p o r t u n i t i e s o f f e r e d
b l a c k y o u n g s t e r s h a v e b e e n b e l o w t h a t o f t h e w h i t e ?
A. Y e s , t h i s i s t r u e .
Q. L e t me f u r t h e r a s k y o u , i f y o u w e r e t o a g a i n a n s w e r t h e
q u e s t i o n a s t o t h e n u m b e r o f N e g r o p u p i l s w ho a r e i n
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
A. No, sir.
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3 1 9 .
m a j o r i t y s i t u a t i o n s i n c l a s s e s w i t h i n t h e W h e a t l e y
S c h o o l S y s t e m — y o u r e c a l l y o u r t e s t i m o n y ?
A. I d o n o t r e c a l l e x a c t l y w h a t y o u a r e r e f e r r i n g t o .
Q. You t e s t i f i e d t h a t t h e s e t h r e e c l a s s e s t a u g h t b y t h e s e
t h r e e N e g r o t e a c h e r s w e r e n o t t h e o n l y c l a s s e s i n w h i c h
N e g r o p u p i l s p r e d o m i n a t e d , i s t h a t r i g h t ?
A . T h a t i s c o r r e c t .
Q- How m any c l a s s e s d o y o u h a v e i n w h i c h w h i t e p u p i l s
p r e d o m i n a t e ?
A . I d o n o t k n o w .
Q. Do y o u h a v e a n y ?
A . Y e s , I c a n r e m e m b e r o n e , p o s s i b l y .
Q. J u s t o n e . I t h i n k y o u s t a t e d e a r l i e r y o u h a d s i x t y
c l a s s e s ?
A . T h a t ' s a b o u t r i g h t .
Q. A r e a l l o f t h e s e p r d o m i n a n t l y N e g r o ?
A. Y e s .
Q. I s t h a t r i g h t ?
A . A l l o f t h e m — o f t h o s e s i x t y — I ' m s o r r y , t h e r e i s
o n e c l a s s o f s e n i o r b a s k e t b a l l g i r l s .
Q. S e n i o r b a s k e t b a l l ?
A. I t i s n o t a c l a s s . I t i s a g i r l ' s t e a m , i t ' s e x t r a
c u r r i c u l a r a c t i v i t y .
Q. I just want to get this straight now for the record.
I s n ' t i t t r u e t h a t M r s . L a u r a S m i t h h a s a t o t a l n u m b e r
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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3 2 0 .
o f f o u r t e e n w h i t e s t u d e n t s a n d t h i r t e e n b l a c k s t u d e n t s ?
A. F o u r t e e n w h i t e a n d t h i r t e e n b l a c k . T h a t i s c o r r e c t
p r o b a b l y a t t h i s t i m e .
Q. T h e s e w e r e t h e f i g u r e s p r o v i d e d me y e s t e r d a y .
A . N u m b e r o f t h e s e s t u d e n t s t a u g h t i n e a c h c l a s s — w h a t
i s t h i s ?
THE COURT: I t s e e m s t o me y o u a r e t a k i n g a
l o t o f t i m e o n t h i s s t a t i s t i c a l b u s i n e s s t h a t h a s l i t t l e
b e a r i n g o n t h e i s s u e s i n t h i s c a s e .
A. T h e r e i s a m a t t e r o f o n e d i f f e r e n c e I w o u l d s a y ,
p o s s i b l y .
Q. (MR. WALKER, c o n t i n u i n g ) ; M i s s A l p h a F r e n c h , f i f t e e n
w h i t e s t u d e n t s , t w e l v e b l a c k ? I w o u l d j u s t l i k e t o
h a v e t h i s i n t h e r e c o r d . M r s . D i c k s o n t e a c h e s t h i r t y -
o n e s t u d e n t s , o f w h i c h o n e i s w h i t e . M r s . C a n n o n
t e a c h e s t w e n t y - e i g h t o f w h i c h n o n e a r e w h i t e . M r s .
S p e a r s t e a c h e s t w e n t y —s i x s t u d e n t s o f w h i c h n o n e a r e
w h i t e .
A . T h a t i s c o r r e c t t o t h e b e s t o f my k n o w l e d g e .
MR. WALKER: I w o u l d l i k e t o h a v e t h i s m a r k e d
a s P l a i n t i f f s ' E x h i b i t N o . 13 a s a g r o u p .
(WHEREUPON, t h e d o c u m e n t s w e r e
m a r k e d P l a i n t i f f s ' E x h i b i t No. 13 f o r
i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , r e c e i v e d i n e v i d e n c e
a n d m ade a p a r t o f t h e r e c o r d h e r e o f . )
Q- (MR. WALKER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : You h a v e a l s o p r o v i d e d som e
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l o i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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321.
o t h e r f i g u r e s f o r me w h i c h I w o u l d l i k e t o h a v e
i d e n t i f i e d a n d i n t r o d u c e t h e m a s a g r o u p , a n d I w o n ' t
t a k e a n y t i m e t o d i s c u s s t h e m . I w o u l d l i k e t o h a v e
t h e s e i n t r o d u c e d , Y o u r H o n o r . I t r e f l e c t s t h e n u m b e r
o f p u p i l s i n t h e c l a s s e s . T h e s e a r e f i g u r e s r e f l e c t i n g
t h e n u m b e r o f p u p i l s i n e a c h h i g h s c h o o l c l a s s .
THE COURT: I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t t h e y h a v e g o t t o
d o w i t h t h i s q u e s t i o n we h a v e h e r e . G e n t l e m e n , t h e
C o u r t h a s t r i e d t o i n d i c a t e t o y o u t h r o u g h o u t t h e
h e a r i n g t h a t we w e r e n o t t r y i n g t o d a y o r y e s t e r d a y t h e
o t h e r c a s e , H 6 8 C - 2 6 , a n d t h e C o u r t i s g o i n g t o a g a i n
t e l l y o u t h a t h e i s n o t g o i n g t o c o n s i d e r a l l o f t h i s
t e s t i m o n y t h a t h a s b e e n i n t r o d u c e d i n t h i s r e c o r d h e r e
t h a t h a s n o t h i n g t o do w i t h t h i s c a s e a n d i s i r r e l e v a n t
t o i t .
(M r. W a l k e r m a r k s e x h i b i t a s P l a i n t i f f s '
E x h i b i t 14 f a r c l e r k ' s f i l e s . )
Q. (MR. WALKER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : Do y o u r r e c o r d s r e f l e c t a n y
g a r n i s h m e n t a g a i n s t M r s . J a c k s o n — o r a n y a n s w e r
h a v i n g b e e n f i l e d ?
A. No, sir.
Q. Or against any one of the parties?
A. No, garnishments issued at all.
Q. Now, you don't have any other letters with you reflectir
complaints about these people that are dated prior to
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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322 .
t h e t i m e t h e y w e r e d i s m i s s e d ?
A. O n l y t h a t w h i c h i s e x h i b i t e d ,
Q. O n l y t h e L a n e B r y a n t l e t t e r , ( O b t a i n s l e t t e r )
Now, o n t h e L a n e B r y a n t e x h i b i t i t i s t r u e t h a t y o u
d o n ' t k n o w a n y t h i n g a b o u t t h i s , y o u d o n ' t e v e n know
t h e a m o u n t o f t h e o b l i g a t i o n , d o y o u ?
A. No, I j u s t t e s t i f i e d I f o u n d i t i n t h e f o l d e r .
Q. A r e y o u s t a t i n g y o u m a de n o r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s a b o u t a n y
p e r s o n s who w e r e e m p l o y e d p r i o r t o t h e t i m e y o u a c t u a l l y
t o o k o f f i c e ?
A . I am n o t s t a t i n g I m a de n o r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s . I am(
s a y i n g , " G e t i n t o u c h w i t h t h e b o a r d , " o r s o m e t h i n g t o
t h i s e f f e c t . A hom e e c t e a c h e r c a l l e d me o n e t i m e a n d
s a i d , " I u s e d t o l i v e i n W h e a t l e y a n d I u n d e r s t a n d a
p o s i t i o n i s g o i n g t o b e o p e n , w h a t a b o u t a j o b , " a n d
I s a i d , " C o n t a c t t h e b o a r d . "
Q. B u t t h e b o a r d o n A p r i l 29 d i d s t a t e t h a t a m o t i o n w a s
m a de a n d s e c o n d e d t o a c c e p t M r . K e n n e d y ' s r e c o m m e n d a t i o n
o f t h e r e m a i n i n g t e a c h e r s t o b e h i r e d ?
A. Y e s , t h a t i s a p o l i c y o f m o s t b o a r d s . T h e y d o a c c e p t
t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t ' s r e c o m m e n d a t i o n .
Q. B u t y o u w e r e n o t s u p e r i n t e n d e n t o n A p r i l 2 9 ?
A . T h e s e w e r e t e a c h e r s i n t h e f u t u r e .
Q. So f a r a l l t e a c h e r s who w e r e h i r e d a f t e r A p r i l 2 9 t h y o u
d i d p a s s o n t h e m ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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3 2 3 .
Q. What do you mean then that this was for teachers in the
future?
A. This is usually an accepted policy of school boards,
sir, when they hire new superintendents. They make
the statement that they will accept his recommendations
on any teachers that he receives applications on, or
anything like that, as long as he is contracted by that
school system. It is just a matter of a support policy
of the board of education.
Q. I just want to ask you another question about these
tests of other pupils who were tested before. Do you
know whether any of them had come from the white school
and been tested at the black school with Mr. Jackson
and the other teachers' classes?
A. No, sir, I do not.
Q. One final thing. James Haley, you said, was a full
time teacher?
A. I did not say that.
Q. Was he a full-time teacher?
A. No, I did not.
A. I d o n ' t k n o w . I do know t h a t t h e c h e c k s a n d t h e
w a r r a n t s r e v e a l t h a t h e w a s p a i d a v e r y s i z a b l e s a l a r y
f o r s e r v i c e s , s i r .
Q. W h a t w a s t h e a m o u n t p a i d ?
A. I t w a s a b o u t $ 4 5 0 . 0 0 a m o n t h , I b e l i e v e .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
Et_ D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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324.
Q. For how many months?
A. I don't know that, I do remember seeing those checks.
Q. Do you know whether or not he was a student teacher,
by your records?
A- I d o k n o w t h i s , m o s t c o l l e g e s do n o t a l l o w a n y s t u d e n t ,
t e a c h e r t o r e c e i v e p a y .
Q. That was not my question. Do you know whether he was
a student teacher or not?
A. No, I do not.
Q. Do you know whether or not he had a degree at the time
he taught in your school?
A. No, I do not.
Q. Have you checked your records to determine whether he
had?
A. No, sir, I have not.
Q. So that he was not really released, is that true?
A. I do not know that.
Q. With regard to the young lady named Gehring. Isn't it
true that she had been hired the previous year primarily
as a relief teacher anyway, according to your minutes?
A. I do not know.
Q. Incidentally, wasn't Miss Gehring a relative of one of
the school board members?
A. I understand she was married to the son of one of the
school board members.
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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325.
Q. In addition to your wife working in the school system,
what other relatives do you have working in the school
system?
A. I have a niece.
Q. H a s s h e b e e n e m p l o y e d s i n c e y o u b e c a m e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t ?
A. No, sir.
Q. When w a s s h e e m p l o y e d ?
A. She was employed previous to my becoming superintendent.
Q. B u t s u b s e q u e n t t o t h e e n d o f t h e 1 9 6 7 - 6 8 s c h o o l y e a r ?
A. Before the end?
Q. She did not work in the school last year?
A. That is true, she did not.
Q. So she came to work after May, '68?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. What other relatives do you have working in the school
system in any capacity?
A. I do not have, to my knowledge.
Q. How many persons related to the president of the board
are working in the school system?
A. None, to my knowledge.
Q. Do you remember the board president giving a deposition
to the effect that he had a relative working in the
school system?
A. I do remember him saying that.
Q. What is her name?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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326 .
Q.
A.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
Q.
A.
You d o n ' t k n o w h e r na m e ?
X d o n o t k n o w i t . I t w a s p r o b a b l y M r s . C h i p m a n o r
M r s . F r e n c h .
M r s . F r e n c h . W h a t d o e s M r s . F r e n c h t e a c h ?
S h e t e a c h e s t h e s e c o n d g r a d e .
I a s k e d y o u e a r l i e r w h e t h e r o r n o t y o u f e l t i t w a s
i m p o r t a n t f o r b l a c k y o u n g s t e r s i n t h e h i g h s c h o o l t o
h a v e a n y N e g r o t e a c h e r s , i f f o r n o o t h e r n e e d t h a n t h e
o n e o f h a v i n g r o l e i m a g e s . W h a t i s y o u r r e s p o n s e t o
t h a t ?
My r e s p o n s e i s t h a t I d o n ' t t h i n k i t w o u l d m a t t e r
e i t h e r w a y .
Why d i d J o a n L o n g l e a v e t h e s c h o o l s y s t e m , f o r w h a t
r e a s o n ?
I d o n o t k n o w . T h i s h a p p e n e d s o m e t i m e b e f o r e my
e l e c t i o n a s s u p e r i n t e n d e n t .
Why d i d D e n n i s R u s s e l l l e a v e t h e s c h o o l s y s t e m ?
I d o n o t k n o w .
Why d i d B i l l y H a r r i s l e a v e t h e s c h o o l s y s t e m ?
I d o n o t k n o w . I b e g y o u r p a r d o n , s i r , i f i m a y . I
h a d a l e t t e r t o M r s . L o n g s i g n e d b y t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t .
W h a t i s t h e r e a s o n g i v e n ?
May I r e a d i t , s i r ?
Y e s .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
Did he state her name?
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327 .
N o. 2 8 , S t . F r a n c i s C o u n t y , A r k a n s a s , v o t e d u n a n i m o u s l y
t o d i s m i s s y o u f r o m y o u r j o b a s f i f t h g r a d e t e a c h e r
a t W h e a t l e y E l e m e n t a r y S c h o o l . You a r e t o b e d i s m i s s e d
e f f e c t i v e N o v e m b e r 3 0 , 1 9 6 7 . T h e r e a s o n s f o r y o u r
d i s m i s s a l a r e :
" ( 1 ) t h e f i r s t l e g a l r e q u i r e m e n t s o f A r k a n s a s
T e a c h e r C o n t r a c t - a t e a c h e r m u s t p o s s e s s a v a l i d
t e a c h e r ' s c e r t i f i c a t e f o r t h e s u b j e c t t a u g h t .
" ( 2 ) D i s s a t i s f a c t i o n i n t h e m a n n e r i n w h i c h y o u
a r e p e r f o r m i n g y o u r j o b a s a f i f t h g r a d e t e a c h e r .
"The board instructed me to inform you of their
actions which are duly recorded in the minutes of the
school board meeting November 7 , 1 9 6 7 . Yours truly,
David Richardson, Superintendent."
Q. How long had she been teaching there?
A. Sir?
Q. Do you know how long this teacher had been teaching
there?
A. No, sir.
Q. You don't know whether it was two months or a whole
year?
A . I don't.
Q. There is one other thing. Dennis Russell, what was the
reason he was terminated, do you know? You have records
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
A. "The Board of Education of Wheatley School District
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32H7
t o r e f l e c t t h a t ?
I d o n ' t h a v e o n e i n h i s f o l d e r .
Q. A l l r i g h t . T h e r e h a s b e e n t e s t i m o n y t h a t M r s . H a l e y ,
d u r i n g ' 6 7 - 6 8 s c h o o l y e a r , t a u g h t o n l y b l a c k s t u d e n t s .
You h a v e h e a r d t h a t t e s t i m o n y h a v e y o u n o t ?
A. I h e a r d t h a t t e s t i m o n y .
Q. Who w a s t h e p e r s o n whom y o u h i r e d t o r e p l a c e h e r ?
A. M r . R o b i n s o n .
Q. W h a t i s t h e p r e s e n t r a c i a l c o m p o s i t i o n o f Mr. R o b i n s o n ' s
c l a s s o r c l a s s e s ?
A. A b o u t h a l f a n d h a l f , I w o u l d s a y .
MR. WALKER: No m o r e q u e s t i o n s , Y o u r H o n o r .
REDIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. M r . K e n n e d y , d o y o u r r e c o r d s r e f l e c t how l o n g M r s . F r e n c l
h a s b e e n a t e a c h e r i n t h e W h e a t l e y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t ?
A. Y e s , s i r , I am s u r e t h e y d o , M r . B u t l e r . I t h a s b e e n
s o l o n g , I s u p p o s e o v e r t w e n t y y e a r s .
Q. When w a s M r . W h e e l e r e l e c t e d t o t h e s c h o o l b o a r d , d o
y o u r r e c o r d s r e f l e c t t h a t ?
A. I am s u r e t h e y d o , I d o n ' t kn o w t h e e x a c t d a t e . I
b e l i e v e i t h a s b e e n g i v e n i n M r . W h e e l e r ' s t e s t i m o n y .
Q. I t w a s g i v e n i n h i s t e s t i m o n y ?
A. Y e s .
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
A. I do not know. i didn't find a letter on Mr. Russell.
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329.'
A.
Q.
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A.
Q.
MR. BUTLER: T h a t i s a l l .
MR. WALKER: Y o u r H o n o r , t h e r e i s o n e p o i n t
w h i c h i s u n c l e a r i n t h e . r e c o r d , t h a t i s t h e t o t a l
n u m b e r o f p u p i l s w i t h i n t h e s y s t e m , a n d I t h i n k i t w i l l
b e u s e f u l t o kn o w t h a t , f o r ' 6 7 —6 8 . We h a v e a p e r c e n t
a g e b r e a k d o w n , b u t we d o n ' t h a v e a t o t a l n u m b e r i n a l l
t w e l v e g r a d e s .
THE COURT: I t w a s t e s t i f i e d y e s t e r d a y i t w a s
4 2 5 .
MR. WALKER: T h a t e s c a p e d m e .
THE COURT: I b e l i e v e t h a t i s o n e o f t h e f i r s t
t h i n g s t e s t i f i e d t o .
R i g h t .
MR. BUTLER: Y o u r H o n o r , t h e d e f e n s e r e s t s .
EXAMINATION BY THE COURT
How many s t u d e n t s a t t e n d e d t h e C e n t r a l E l e m e n t a r y
S c h o o l f o r t h e y e a r o f 1 9 6 7 - 6 8 , t h e y e a r i m m e d i a t e l y
b e f o r e y o u w e n t t h e r e a s s u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f t h e W h e a t l e y
S c h o o l ?
I b e l i e v e t h e r e c o r d s s h o w a b o u t n i n e t y , s i r .
I t w a s t e s t i f i e d y e s t e r d a y t h a t t h e r e w e r e f i v e t e a c h e r s
a t t h a t s c h o o l , i s t h a t r i g h t ?
Y e s , s i r , t o t h e b e s t o f my k n o w l e d g e .
I t w a s a l s o t e s t i f i e d t o y e s t e r d a y t h a t s i n c e t h e
1 9 6 7 - 6 8 s c h o o l y e a r , a n d f o r t h e ' 6 8 - 6 9 s c h o o l y e a r ,
J O A N F. L I N E S
U N I T E D STATES C O U R T REPORTER
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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t h r e e new t e a c h e r s h a d b e e n e m p l o y e d i n t h e e l e m e n t a r y
s c h o o l , i s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
A. Yes, sir. That is correct.
Q. It isn't clear to me - did you employ two of them, then,
or recommend the board for the employment of two of
them?
A. I f I may d i g r e s s f o r a m o m en t p e r h a p s I c a n e x p l a i n i t .
T h e s e t e a c h e r s w e r e h i r e d b y t h e b o a r d b e f o r e I cam e
t h e r e , b e f o r e J u l y 1 s t , f o r t h e ' 6 8 - 6 9 s c h o o l y e a r .
Q. A l l t h r e e o f t h e new t e a c h e r s ?
A. With the exception of Mr. Robinson who took Mrs. Haley's
place in the fifth grade.
Q. Was Mrs. Haley one of the three new teachers employed
in the elementary school?
A. No, sir, she had taught previously.
Q. Was Mr. Robinson one of the three teachers referred to?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Who were the other two?
A. My wife, Minola Kennedy, and Mrs. Hoyle Halbert.
Q. Was it part of the contract that Mrs. Kennedy become
one of the teachers when you agreed to come there for
the school superintendent job?
A. It was not part of my contract. The board asked me if
my wife teaches and I said yes.
Q. I mean by that, was that part of the understanding that
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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y o u h a d , t h a t b o t h o f y o u w o u l d come t h e r e a s t e a c h e r s
i f y o u a c c e p t e d t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t ' s j o b ?
^ • No, s i r . I s a i d , " I t c a n b e o r c a n ' t b e , e i t h e r w a y yoi.
w a n t i t , " w a s my s t a t e m e n t t o t h e b o a r d w h e n t h e y a s k e d
me a b o u t t h i s . N a t u r a l l y I w o u l d w a n t my w i f e t o
t e a c h .
Q. W e re y o u a w a r e o f t h e p r o m i s e t h e b o a r d h a d m a d e ,
w h i c h h a s b e e n t e s t i f i e d t o h e r e , t o t h e s e f o u r t e a c h e r s
w h e n t h e y w e r e g i v e n a h e a r i n g b y t h e b o a r d , I b e l i e v e
A p r i l 2 9 , 1 9 6 8 , t h a t a n y v a c a n c i e s i n t h e e l e m e n t a r y
t e a c h i n g p o s i t i o n s t h a t t h e y w o u l d b e g i v e n c o n s i d e r a
t i o n ?
A- I b e l i e v e I h e a r d t h e s t a t e m e n t o n e n i g h t w h e n we w e r e
m e e t i n g t h e r e . I h a p p e n e d t o b e t h e r e a t t h a t t i m e ,
n o t o f f i c i a l l y , I w a s j u s t t h e r e w h e n t h e s e f o u r
t e a c h e r s w e r e p r e s e n t .
Q. You a t t e n d e d t h a t m e e t i n g ?
A. I w a s t h e r e , y e s .
Q. T h e n y o u h e a r d t h e ■—
A. I b e l i e v e Mr. J a c k s o n a s k e d w o u l d t h e y g i v e t h e m
c o n s i d e r a t i o n a n d t h e y s a i d t h e y w o u l d c o n s i d e r i t .
Q. T h e n y o u r a n s w e r i s , " y e s , " y o u d i d k n o w a b o u t i t ?
A. I k n e w t h e y s a i d t h e y w o u l d c o n s i d e r i t , b u t t h e y
d i d n ' t s a y t h e y w o u l d h i r e t h e m , t h e y s a i d t h e y w o u l d
c o n s i d e r i t .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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332 .
Q. I didn't ask you if they would hire them, I asked you
if you were aware they promised them that they would
give them consideration if there were any vacancies?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. And you knew about it?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. When Mr. Robinson was employed you recommended him,
didn't you?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Did you give any consideration to any one of these four
at that time?
A. At this time, no, I did not, because they had not
applied for contract --
Q. That's not what I asked you, Mr. Kennedy. I asked you
if you had given them any consideration?
A. No.
Q. I am not very greatley impressed with this contention
that they did not have application for it. These people
have been teaching there for some time. How long had
Mr. Jackson been teaching there?
A. I believe eleven years.
Q. How long had Mrs. Jackson been teaching?
A. Eleven years.
Q. How long had Mrs. Meeks been teaching?
A. I believe eleven years. I believe all of them came
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d s t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a o o . A r k a n s a s
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333 .
t h e r e a t t h e s a m e t i m e .
Q. How l o n g h a d H r . C o l e m a n b e e n t e a c h i n g t h e r e ?
A . I d o n o t k n o w a b o u t Mr. C o l e m a n .
Q. I b e l i e v e h e t e s t i f i e d y e s t e r d a y t h a t h e c am e i n 1 9 5 4
a n d s t a y e d f o r a c e r t a i n p e r i o d o f t i m e a n d t h e n w a s
g o n e f o r t h r e e y e a r s , c am e b a c k a n d s t a y e d f o r a n o t h e r
p e r i o d o f t i m e , a t o t a l o f a b o u t s e v e n y e a r s . I
b e l i e v e t h a t w a s t h e t e s t i m o n y , o r a p p r o x i m a t e l y
t h e r e t o .
A. I m i g h t a d d , i f I m a y , I d o l o o k t h r o u g h t h e s e
t e a c h e r s ' t r a n s c r i p t s i n t h e f i l e , a n d m o s t o f t h e
t r a n s c r i p t s d i d n o t — t h e o n l y o n e o f t h e m t h a t h a d
a n o f f i c i a l c o l l e g e s e a l — t h e r e w a s f a l s e i n f o r m a t i o n
s u c h a s b i r t h d a y s , a n d t e a c h i n g y e a r s o f e x p e r i e n c e
l i s t e d w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f E d u c a t i o n .
I d i d n o t g i v e v e r y much c o n s i d e r a t i o n f o r t h o s e r e a s o n s
Q. M r . K e n n e d y , t h e y h a d w o r k e d t h e r e f o r e l e v e n y e a r s - -
t h r e e o f t h e m ■— a n d a n o t h e r f o r s e v e n y e a r s , o r
t h e r e a b o u t . You a r e a w a r e o f t h e f a c t t h a t t h e F o r r e s t
C i t y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t , w h i c h i s a m uch l a r g e r a n d h i g h e r
a c c r e d i t e d s c h o o l , i s e m p l o y i n g o n e o f t h e m now?
A. Y e s , s i r , I kn o w t h a t .
Q. I a s s u m e y o u a r e a w a r e o f t h e f a c t t h a t a n o t h e r i s b e i n c
e m p l o y e d b y a n o f f i c i a l g r o u p , t h e A r k a n s a s E n t e r p r i s e s
f o r t h e B l i n d a t L i t t l e R o c k ?
JOAN F. LiNES
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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334.
A. Y e s , s i r .
Q. And I a s s u m e y o u a r e a w a r e o f t h e f a c t t h a t t h e B r i n k l e
S c h o o l D i s t r i c t h a s e m p l o y e d t h e o t h e r t w o i n a v e r y
i m p o r t a n t p o s i t i o n , w h i c h i s t r y i n g t o d o s o m e t h i n g f o r
p e o p l e who u n f o r t u n a t e l y h a v e n o t h a d a n e d u c a t i o n ?
A. May I f u r t h e r a d d t h a t t h r e e o f t h e s e t e a c h e r s h a d
w o r k e d f o r me p r e v i o u s l y .
Q - I h e a r d o n e o f t h e m s a y h e w a s w o r k i n g t h e r e o n y o u r
r e c o m m e n d a t i o n ?
A. T h i s i s n o t t o t a l l y t r u e , s i r .
Q. T h e r e c o r d w i l l s o s t a t e .
A. I h a v e n o t b e e n a s k e d o t h e r w i s e .
THE COURT: A n y t h i n g e l s e , G e n t l e m e n ?
MR. WALKER: Y e s , Y o u r H o n o r .
RECROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR. WALKER:
Q. I n e e d t o h a v e o n e t h i n g c l e a r e d u p . I w i l l s h o w y o u
a l i s t o f t h e t e a c h e r s who w e r e e m p l o y e d f o r t h e 1 9 6 7 -
6 8 s c h o o l y e a r , a n d a l s o a l i s t o f t h e t e a c h e r s who
w e r e e m p l o y e d f o r t h e ' 6 8 - 6 9 s c h o o l y e a r . I h a v e m ade
c h e c k s b y e a c h o f t h e p e r s o n s who i s n ew t o t h e s y s t e m
f o r t h e ' 6 8 - 6 9 . I w a n t y o u t o c h e c k o v e r i t b r i e f l y
a n d t e l l me w h e t h e r o r n o t my c h e c k s a r e r i g h t , a n d
g i v e me a t o t a l n u m b e r o f t h e p e o p l e who w e r e w o r k i n g
i n t h e s c h o o l s y s t e m f o r ’ 6 8 - 6 9 f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e ?
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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335.
A . Y o u r m a r k s a r e i n c o r r e c t .
Q. State to me which ones are working here -- are the
names correct?
A. Yes.
Q. Is Sidney Kennedy working here for the first time?
A. Yes.
Q. M i n o l a K e n n e d y ?
A. Yes.
O. John Stroud?
A. That's right.
Q. Edith Ann Pierce?
A. Yes.
Q. Connie Bellinger?
A. Yes.
Q. Mrs. Hoyle Halbert?
A. Yes.
Q. E v e l y n L i n e b a c k ?
A. No. She has worked previously.
Q. B u t s h e d i d n o t w o r k d u r i n g t h e ' 6 7 - 6 8 s c h o o l y e a r ?
A. That's right.
Q. What about William Lee?
A. He did not.
Q. So y o u h a v e e i g h t p e o p l e who a r e w o r k i n g i n t h e s c h o o l
s y s t e m f o r t h e ' 6 8 - 6 9 s c h o o l y e a r who d i d n o t w o r k
d u r i n g t h e ' 6 7 - 6 8 s c h o o l y e a r , i s t h a t c o r r e c t ?
JOAN F. LINES
U n i t e o S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l o i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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3 36.
A. Y e s , s i r .
MR. WALKER: I w o u l d l i k e t o h a v e t h i s m a r k e d
P l a i n t i f f s ' E x h i b i t 1 5 .
(WHEREUPON, t h e d o c u m e n t s w e r e
m a r k e d P l a i n t i f f s ' E x h i b i t N o . 15 f o r
i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , r e c e i v e d i n e v i d e n c e
a n d m a d e a p a r t o f t h e r e c o r d h e r e o f .
THE COURT: B u t o n l y t h r e e o f t h e m h a v e b e e n
e m p l o y e d i n t h e e l e m e n t a r y s c h o o l ?
MR. WALKER: I w i l l c l e a r t h a t nip, Y o u r H o n o r ,
I t h i n k t h e r e i s som e q u e s t i o n a b o u t i t .
THE COURT: I d o n ' t t h i n k s o , t h e r e c o r d i s
v e r y c l e a r .
Q. (MR. WALKER, c o n t i n u i n g ) : W h e re d o e s M i n o l a K e n n e d y
t e a c h ?
A . S e c o n d a n d t h i r d g r a d e , c o m b i n a t i o n .
Q. J o h n S t r o u d ?
A. T e a c h e s b i o l o g y , h i g h s c h o o l .
Q. E d i t h P i e r c e ?
A . F r e n c h a n d E n g l i s h , h i g h s c h o o l .
Q. C o n n i e B e l l i n g e r ?
A. H i g h s c h o o l .
Q. M r s . H a b l e r t ?
A. F i r s t g r a d e .
Q. M r s . L i n e b a c k ?
A. H i g h s c h o o l , E n g l i s h a n d som e m u s i c .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l o i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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3 3 7.
Q. S h e t e a c h e s e l e m e n t a r y m u s i c ?
A. Y e s .
Q- M o s t l y e l e m e n t a r y m u s i c ?
A . No, s i r .
Q. M o re p u p i l s t h e r e a c c o r d i n g —
A. M ore p u p i l s , y e s .
Q. W i l l i a m L e e ?
A. H i g h S c h o o l .
Q. T h r e e o f t h e m . Do a n y o f t h o s e t e a c h e r s t e a c h s o c i a l
s c i e n c e , s o c i a l s t u d i e s ?
A. M r . S t r o u d , g e o g r a p h y , w h i c h w o u l d b e c o n s i d e r e d
s o c i a l s c i e n c e , o n e c l a s s o f g e o g r a p h y .
Q. W h a t e l s e d o e s h e t e a c h ?
A. S c i e n c e , b i o l o g y , m a t h e m a t i c s .
THE COURT: You may s t a n d a s i d e . A n y t h i n g
e l s e , G e n t l e m e n ?
MR. BUTLER: No, s i r . D e f e n s e r e s t s , Y o u r
H o n o r .
MR. WALKER: Y o u r H o n o r , I w o u l d l i k e t o h a v e
a b o u t tw o m i n u t e s , i f I c a n , t o c o n s u l t w i t h t h e o t h e r
t h r e e p l a i n t i f f s . ( A f t e r c o n s u l t a t i o n P l a i n t i f f s c a l l
M r s . J a c k s o n . )
WHEREUPON,
MRS. M ITTIE JACKSON, b e i n g r e c a l l e d on b e h a l f o f t h e
P l a i n t i f f s , t e s t i f i e d a s f o l l o w s :
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o , A r k a n s a s
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338.
DIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. WALKER:
Q. Mrs. Jackson, I want to ask you one question. Did
you ever make any debts or obligations while you were
employed by the Wheatley School District, which you
authorized to be charged to the Wheatley School System?
A. No.
Q. Have all purchases made by you for use at the Wheatley
Central School been paid?
A. Yes.
Q. Were they paid prior to the beginning of September,
1 9 6 8 ?
A. I believe so, because it was paid ■— one bill was paid
shortly after I got my first pay check, that was
around the first or second of September.
Q. That was your first pay check from the Forrest City
School District?
A. That's right. That was to the School products Company.
MR. WALKER: Thank you.
MR. BUTLER: No questions.
THE COURT: Stand aside.
MR. WALKER: I think anything else would be
more or less repetitive, and the plaintiffs rest.
THE COURT: This closes the record in the case.
Do you have anything else, Gentlemen, either of you,
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a o o . A r k a n s a s
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339.
that you wish to present at this time?
MR. WALKER: No, Your Honor; I would be willing,
if the Court felt it helpful, to make a brief summary,
but I do not necessarily desire to do so unless you
believe it to be helpful.
THE COURT: Do either of you wish to file any
briefs in the matter with reference to the law and the
applicable facts that have been submitted here?
MR. WALKER: Your Honor, I think we've been
before the court on several other matters, and any
brief on the law has already been presented by us to
His Honor and also to the Court of Appeals. I do not
care to do so.
MR. BUTLER: Your Honor, I would like to have
an opportunity to submit a short memorandum brief to
the Court.
THE COURT: How much time would you like to havs
say ten days?
MR. BUTLER: Yes, Your Honor.
MR. WALKER: Your Honor, I would like to take
five days to file a reply to whatever brief that
Mr. Butler prepares.
THE COURT: Gentlemen, you may then proceed.
I think in view of the Court's schedule, in all candor,
Mr. Butler, if you want twenty days you can have it,
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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3 4 0 .
b u t I h a v e a h e a v y s c h e d u l e a h e a d o f me , a n d I c o u l d n ' t
g e t t o i t i m m e d i a t e l y .
MR. BUTLER: A b u s y l a w y e r l i k e s a l l t h e t i m e
h e c a n g e t .
THE COURT: To d o j u s t i c e t o b o t h o f y o u , y o u
c a n h a v e t w e n t y d a y s ; a n d y o u c a n h a v e t e n d a y s t o
r e p l y , M r . W a l k e r .
MR. WALKER: T h a n k y o u . Y o u r H o n o r .
THE COURT: T h e C o u r t w i l l t h e n p r o c e e d t o
c o n s i d e r i t a n d a r r i v e a t a d e c i s i o n j u s t a s s o o n
t h e r e a f t e r a s h i s s c h e d u l e w i l l p e r m i t .
G e n t l e m e n , w i t h r e f e r e n c e t o t h e o t h e r m a t t e r ,
6 8 C - 2 6 , i t i s o b v i o u s t h a t we a r e u n a b l e t o g o i n t o
t h a t t o d a y . T h i s i s F r i d a y a n d we h a v e a n o t h e r
s c h e d u l e o f c a s e s t h a t s t a r t M o n d a y m o r n i n g . We
c e r t a i n l y c o u l d n o t m a ke a v e r y g o o d s t a r t o n t h i s
m a t t e r t o d a y . I c a n s e e n o a l t e r n a t i v e o t h e r t h a n t o
s c h e d u l e i t f o r some o t h e r d a y .
I m i g h t s a y , h o w e v e r , i n v i e w o f t h e t e s t i m o n y
t h a t we h a v e r e c e i v e d i n t h i s c a s e , t h a t i t i s m o s t
u n f o r t u n a t e t h a t t h i s d i s t r i c t i s n o t i n a p o s i t i o n
w h e r e y o u c a n g e t t o g e t h e r a n d r e s o l v e some o f t h e s e
m a t t e r s y o u r s e l v e s . T h e r e a r e s o m e v e r y i m p o r t a n t
q u e s t i o n s i n t h i s o t h e r c a s e w h i c h l a r g e l y , a s t h e C o u r
c o n s t r u e s t h e p l e a d i n g s i n t h e o t h e r c a s e , g o t o t h e
J O A N F. L I N E S
t
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l b u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
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a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f t h e a f f a i r s o f t h e s c h o o l s . I t h i n k
i t i s f a i r l y w e l l k n o w n t h a t t h i s c o u r t h a s l o n g s i n c e
d e c i d e d t h a t h e i s n o t g o i n g t o t a k e i t u p o n h i m s e l f
t o b e t h e a d m i n i s t r a t o r o f a l l t h e s c h o o l s i n t h e
a r e a s w h e r e I s i t a s a f e d e r a l j u d g e . I d o n o t f e e l
t h a t t h a t i s t h e j u d g e ' s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y .
I k n o w t h a t t h e r e a r e t i m e s w h e n t h e s e i s s u e s
p r e s e n t s u c h q u e s t i o n s t h a t c a n n o t b e s e t t l e d w i t h i n
t h e a f f a i r s o f t h e s c h o o l , u n f o r t u n a t e l y . B u t i t
a p p e a r s t o me t h a t i n v i e w o f t h e c o n t e n t i o n s o f t h e
p l e a d i n g s , a n d t h e r e s p o n s e s t h a t h a v e b e e n g i v e n t o
t h e m , t h a t s e r i o u s e f f o r t c o u l d a n d s h o u l d b e made
t o r e s o l v e t h e s e q u e s t i o n s s o t h a t t h i s s c h o o l w i l l n o t
c o n t i n u a l l y b e f a c e d w i t h s u c h d i f f e r e n c e s o f o p i n i o n
i n m a t t e r s t h a t w i l l e x c i t e t h e f e e l i n g s w i t h i n t h e
s c h o o l d i s t r i c t i t s e l f .
I t a p p e a r s t o me f r o m t h e t e s t i m o n y h e r e t h a t
a l o t o f t h i n g s c o u l d b e d o n e t o r e s o l v e som e o f t h e s e
q u e s t i o n s a n d i s s u e s . I am s o m e w h a t p e r s u a d e d t h a t a
g o o d m any p e o p l e who a r e i n v o l v e d i n t h i s t h i n g h a v e
a v e r y d e e p a n d s y m p a t h e t i c a n d a b i d i n g f e e l i n g f o r
e v e r y o n e c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h i s s c h o o l s y s t e m , a n d f o r
t h e p u r p o s e s o f t h e s c h o o l a n d t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s
t h e y h a v e t o i t .
I am g o i n g t o s u g g e s t t o y o u g e n t l e m e n t h a t
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a o o , A r k a n s a s
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
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342 .
b e f o r e we h a v e a n o p p o r t u n i t y f o r r e s c h e d u l i n g t h i s
o t h e r m a t t e r t o b e d e t e r m i n e d , t h a t s e r i o u s a n d c a r e f u l
c o n s i d e r a t i o n b e g i v e n b y t h e m e m b e r s o f t h e b o a r d a n d
s c h o o l a d m i n i s t r a t o r s , a n d t h o s e who a r e a p p a r e n t l y
g r i e v e d b y som e a d m i n i s t r a t i v e a c t , t o s e e i f t h e r e
c a n n o t b e a n a c c o m m o d a t i o n am ong y o u a n d g e t t h e m a t t e r
s e t t l e d s o t h i s s c h o o l c a n o p e r a t e .
As I h a v e s a i d b e f o r e o n m any o c c a s i o n s ,
s c h o o l s a r e p r o v i d e d f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f e d u c a t i n g t h e
c h i l d r e n ; b u t we f i n d o u r s e l v e s i n s o many c a s e s w h e r e
we o l d e r p e o p l e , f a t h e r a n d m o t h e r s , g e t i n t o t h e s e
d i s p u t e s a n d i s s u e s a r i s e t h a t t h e c h i l d r e n h a v e
n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h w h a t s o e v e r . We a r e t h e o n e s
r e s p o n s i b l e f o r i t , a n d i f we w o u l d w a k e u p t o t h e f a c t
t h a t t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f w h a t w e ' r e d o i n g i s n o t t o
s a t i s f y o u r own e g o s o r p e r s o n a l d e s i r e s , b u t t o h e l p
d o s o m e t h i n g f o r t h e f u t u r e o f t h e c h i l d r e n , we w o u l d
b e a l o t b e t t e r o f f i n t h i s c o u n t r y .
I t w o u l d s e e m t o me t h a t t h e q u e s t i o n s s u c h
a s a r e i n v o l v e d i n t h e s e o t h e r m a t t e r s , t h a t a g o o d
m any o f t h e m a r e t h o s e q u e s t i o n s . I w o u l d s u g g e s t
t h a t s e r i o u s c o n s i d e r a t i o n b e g i v e n t o i t . B u t i f
y o u a r e u n a b l e t o come t o a n y r e s o l u t i o n i n t h e m a t t e r
t h e C o u r t i s g o i n g t o b e b a c k i n H e l e n a a t a l a t e r
t i m e o n a n o t h e r s c h o o l m a t t e r . I w i l l g i v e c o n s i d e r a t . i ai
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
1 2
13
14
IS
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3 4 3 .
t o s c h e d u l i n g i t f o r a n o t h e r h e a r i n g s i n c e we u n f o r t u n a
l y h a v e b e e n l o n g e r o n t h i s o n e t h a n we o r i g i n a l l y
t h o u g h t .
O f f i c i a l C o u r t R e p o r t e r f o r t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s D i s t r i c t C o u r t s
i n t h e E a s t e r n a n d W e s t e r n D i s t r i c t s o f A r k a n s a s ; t h a t u n d e r
my s u p e r v i s i o n t h e w i t h i n n a m e d a n d n u m b e r e d c a u s e w as
r e p o r t e d b y V i v i a n L . T a y l o r a t H e l e n a , A r k a n s a s , on M a r c h 13
a n d 1 4 , 1 9 6 9 ; t h a t t h e f o r e g o i n g 343 p a g e s o f t y p e w r i t t e n
m a t t e r , i n c l u d i n g t h i s p a g e , c o n s t i t u t e a t r u e a n d c o r r e c t
t r a n s c r i p t i o n o f s u c h p r o c e e d i n g s ; t h e s a m e b e i n g t r a n s c r i b e d
f r o m t h e r e c o r d s t a k e n a t t h e t i m e .
W i t h t h a t , t h e c o u r t w i l l b e i n r e c e s s .
C E R T I F I C A T E
I , J o a n F . L i n e s , d o h e r e b y c e r t i f y t h a t 1 am a n
T h i s N o v e m b e r 1 5 , 1 9 6 9 .
J O A N F. L I N E S
U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t R e p o r t e r
F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g
E l D o r a d o . A r k a n s a s
344
Judgment
(Filed July 1, 1969)
This case was tried to the court on Thursday, March 13
and Friday, March 14, 1969, the plaintiffs appearing in
person and by their attorney, John W. Walker, and the
defendants appearing with their attorney, E. J. Butler.
After the conclusion of the testimony, counsel for the par
ties requested an opportunity to file briefs.
From ore tenus testimony, exhibits and statements of
counsel, including briefs, the Court has filed a letter with
the clerk of the court incorporating the opinion of the
Court, together with finding of facts and conclusions of
law. Since the case was not filed until about the beginning
of the school year 1968-69 and a hearing scheduled in March
of 1969, it was agreed by the parties that the question of
contracts for the school year involved was moot. As an
alternative, counsel for the plaintiffs requested damages
for loss of reputation in the teaching profession and in the
community, together with reasonable attorney’s fees.
From the entire record the Court concludes that the evi
dence is not sufficient to sustain the plaintiffs’ contention of
damages for loss of reputation in the teaching profession
and in the community. The Court is of the further opinion
that, in view of the conclusions reached on the merits of
the case, the plaintiffs are not entitled to attorney’s fees.
It is , t h e r e fo r e , considered , ordered and adjudged that
the claims of the plaintiffs be and the same are hereby de
nied and the complaint is hereby dismissed.
Dated: June 30, 1969.
/ s / Oren Harris
Oren Harris
United States District Judge
345
Notice o f Appeal
Notice is hereby given that the above-named plaintiffs
hereby appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for
the Eighth Circuit from the order entered herein by the
United States .District Court for the Eastern District of
Arkansas, Eastern Division, on July 1, 1969, by the Hon
orable Oren Harris, District Judge.
Dated: July 28, 1969.
Walker, R otenrkrky, K aplan & Lavey
1820 West 13th Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202
J ack Greenberg
Michael Meltsnbr
Norman J. Chachkin
Conrad H arper
Suite 2030
10 Columbus Circle
New York, New York 10019
Attorneys for Plaintiffs
346
Bond for Costs on Appeal
The plaintiffs have filed in this court a Notice of Appeal.
Pursuant to Rule 7 of the Federal Rules of Appellate Pro
cedure, the plaintiff and Carl Brooks, surety, are held and
firmly bound for the payment by the plaintiff of all costs
and disbursements, up to the sum of $250.00, should it be
determined that the appeal is without merit.
If the plaintiff pays all costs and disbursements incurred
by reason of this appeal should it be determined that the
appeal is without merit, this obligation shall be void; other
wise it shall remain in full force and effect.
Executed this 28th day of July, 1969.
L. R. J ackson, et al.
/ s / J ohn W. W alker
John W. Walker
Walker, R otenberry, K aplan & Lavey
1820 West 13th Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202
Attorneys for Plaintiffs
By / s / Carl Brooks
Carl Brooks
Surety
&