Riga v Alexander Brief in Opposition to Petition Writ of Certiorari
Public Court Documents
January 8, 2001

23 pages
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Case Files, Alexander v. Holmes Hardbacks. Desegregation Plan and Report for Amite County School System, 1969. 0f01f7ab-cf67-f011-bec2-6045bdffa665. LDF Archives, Thurgood Marshall Institute. https://ldfrecollection.org/archives/archives-search/archives-item/ffe97478-15ec-416b-a291-dee25a2878bf/desegregation-plan-and-report-for-amite-county-school-system. Accessed August 19, 2025.
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A DESEGREGATION PLAN FOR TH AMITE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM Ap PENDS X A DESEGREGATION PLAN FOR THE AMITE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM A REPORT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT BY THE DIVISION OF EQUAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES UNITED STATES OFFICE OF EDUCATION ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30323 a DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE REGIONAL OFFICE Roem 404 - 50 Seventh Street, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30323 OFFICE GF EDUCATION Miss Annie An Amite County [ District following desegreg in the Amite County ; . sidaration., We wish eration received from you Sincerely yours, 7 yes ”y QF 2 f 4 Al / ed Jesse J, Jordan Senior Program Officer: Equal Educational Opportunities Co. . 2 AT : I's $V AY rT DT Ld iiadadia jasu vita d LAE -~ : N p a D 3h. Bawe of School . Pelion HT Ex A aeandad 5 STG ria Wr Ils AVIA err: aa { ® Address 2aShu 1 ¢ . SE Zi aes Carwin ns en A rem Name of Priccipal_ TE TE Tl WRAP nl SEIT SEAL WIT AAT IAM. Ting 0 TN Br WTR BZ . Eb shia « 3 — The res S hs mya E Cguramant Hancohdeam QFEat . Grades in School / A Pus.ses OL Fomsanent Logcuang Stations ) " 4 JE Hy. Bi Capacliey ? Whe ud wsinn ial ¥ 2d £4. os State LaLaQ “paisa tly : Erk BGC RE Ee A 18109 | Whe! . Or I AAD SL IRIS =? acace i i : ut “(without powtables) LA Portable and Teunorzyy Classrooms - PE a = Imant , 4 : 7 So 5 - Se ep fo me WY A RR A AAR SE SONI A ETI TIE SE Ey J wna Total Student Enrollment ls BATTER Ey AT 3 IORI IRENE xh 1 RTE "re 3 * 3 oO 3 3 AG REIS 5 CR tn TT Tis Ti Se TE BTN 08 KIER TW ET aa Do. EE RTA Er 1 08, RD. TITS PE Sn NARI Hopwo Total PR aa RE = a Vis £ os Hi KR [PL Ae rem fa avon X ~ 5 Ww = rR Other Profogoioncl Personmal $ ’ ime ARN TA TA ~ 5 0H Be ri | 0 OL&L NIGiL Pibime rte “ A - [ * : % 3 v oy % LJ i H } ! iC { ~L dS Gr Te Ne a EX $2 | , 3 | wl 7 A SE BO ES AAS Rs nn AER ENR ND Re SNA A WET ER REALTOR 0 0 Num! a, 2c ££ i. art ned L~ Files py om ox gv a As 2 L. oid £ ni) & i SLRIGCLE Lal OY WL 4 | I aaiad - BERR MIATA TS a STI eT EE s SR TEL ot y EE Nest TAY even Ct 4 iy * 1 Age of Building 750 of Fs) I~ [20m &, a aa a BE LS eR EE CRF rs SUS TAHRS AR "TA TRA LC MP I LINN NT Te QT ON A (VY dade a ul og ny i ate J - : Number of Portable (Classrooms 0 : I ARID. JAN PAIS TE STI FHL . SE anid \. FOO, | £ "Pres aon po Nuxber of Temporary Classrooms o Wg 1500 A. fa 0 AB = 327 7 a » # ies wy em : Number of Square Feet Iu Building - mw) x I \ « . . _ 9% Number of Acres in School Site A . ’ WTS PEEL de fe 0 sl - - mad . TN TOG, od ove F.o4 lym : Attach a list of the chs or © TABLE OF CONTLNTS Enrollment and Building Information tecommendad Plan for Student Desegregation Faculty Descgregation Transportation School Construct Comments » i C ? | { H { / 524 1524 ir ! i i ana 1 4 hk r (Lh ~~ ih. Shir] ; A thie \ Ca}iD / Whi & Shaithinl Oo Vas 4 25 Z * Ae Nyt \% Bln Line ate / if i b J L] AMITE COUNTY 31, RECOMMENDATIONS FCR STUDENT DESEGREGATION In order to bring about a unitary sys identifiable by race, the following for the 1969-70 school year are sukbmi N ons to be effective Student assienment recowmendations at 2pproxims because the Amite oOo School capacities are based on the number of gt dard ssrooms in each school as reported by schoo ificials and nult ied by 30 for secon- dary schools, and 35 for elementary : ’ J 1. That the Central Schoo 2 grades 1«6., All students, Negro and vhite, in grades } by, vesiding in areas form served by both this school 2nd the .1berty Attendance ‘ter should grades 7-12. All : de residing in areas formerly served oth this ho the Central School be assign Gloster Area: 3. That the Amite County Tr: g Sch ] 1-8. All students, Negro and white, rade ; ding in areas formerly served by both this s s and Crosby Attendance Center should be assign school. That the Gloster Attendance Center be grades 9-12. All students, Negro and white, in grades 9-12, residing in areas formerly served by both this school and the Amite County Training School should be assigned to this school. Crosby Area: 5. Alternative I That the Crosby Attendance Center be closed. This school enrolls too few students (64 in grades 1-6 in 1968-69), to provide an adequate educational pro- gram. Students who formerly attended this school should be assigned to the Amite County Training School. The Crosby physical facility, however, appears to be adequate for special educational needs of the school district, or community use. Alternative II That the Crosby Attendance Center continue to be grades 1-6, enrolling all students, white and Negro, who reside in the Crosby area. furniched by the Amite County School District Superinten- indicate that two schools are already receiving as their studen by buses. The lowest percentage reported e trict was 68%, The District average is 84%. ILDING INFORMATION FORM 4 4 de Cotrnty Letected [9469-70 Name of School ades ji Term. W | Comments ¥ r Central Schoo / gral Nir : . Liberty Blo fortes 27 / hy / 4 » I H ; Ihclides SH deats AR {i Tovinend i i / ) | rf : | i A503 Crorsd is /} le Josten /7. a Yo 5 1177 Cimite ve). 1 eaining Lol Afi Sz CA 4 4 \ PE E R E - R T Ne [ x S E n t S e o n ed P a T A p e P E P T Ororchy L.0 Hr 71 L0L S t A d r e n 0 ) Co p o . C I E I a E S CA LL A 0, te A E E ee n — — — I — — — — L a r A T A Ce a FP BT S | eS N I A IN ET SR C A S S I S TY e d CA C: T I A A : S U S I L f o r t r a o AMITE COUNTY POSSIBLE INTERIM STEPS The plan that we have prepared and that we recommend to the Court provides for complete disestablishment of the dual school system ; district at the beginning of the 1969-70 school Because of the number of children and schools in this dis- and because of the proximity of the scheduled opening of the school year, implementation of our recommended plan may re-. quire delay in that scheduled opening. Should the Court decide to defer complete desegregation of this school district beyond the opening of the coming school term, the following steps could in our judgment be taken this fall to accomplish partial desegreza- tion of tha school system without delay, or with very minimal delay, in the scheduled opening of the school year. RE a Student Desegrezation:? 1. That Central School! be grades 1-6 and 9-12, All white ‘students in grades 1-6 who formerly attended the Liberty Attendance Center should be assigned to this school. All Negro students in grades 1-6 and 9-12 residing in areas served by Central School should continue to attend this school, That the Liberty Attendance Center be grades 7-12, All white students in grades 7-12 residing in areas served by Liberty Attendance Center should continue to attend this school. All Negro students in grades 7 and 8 who formerly attended the Central School should be assigned to this school. Closter Area: 3. That the Amite County Training School be grades 1-6,7 and 10-12. All white students in grades 1-6 who formerly attended the Gloster and Crosby Attendance Conters should be assigned t¢ iis school. All Negro students in grades 1-6, 7 and 10-12 residing in areas served by Amite mty Training School should continue to attend this 4, That the ster Attendance Center be grades 7-12. All white students in grade -12 residing in areas served by Gloster Attendance Center should continue to attend this school, All Negro students in grades 8-9 who formerly attended the Amite County Training 1 School should be assigned to this school. Crosby Area: 5. -Alternative I- That the Crosby Attendance Center be closed. This school enrolls too few students (64 in grades 1-6 in 1968-69) to provide an adequate edu- cational program Students who formerly attended this schocl should be assigned to the Amite County Training School. The Crosby physical facility, however, appears to be adequate for special educational needs of the school district or community use, Alternative II- That the Crosby Attendance Center remain grades 1-6, enrolling students residing in the Crosby area. Desegreration of Faculty and Other Staff: Full desegregation of faculty and other staff in the grades affected by the possible interim assignments of students above, and district-wide desegregation of faculty and other staff in each school to at least 50% of the recommendation contained in Part I of Section III of this plan. COMPOSITE BUILDING INFORMATION FORM Dl 2, ie . Amite Coun ty DATE: [255 ble Tides Steps : ) Capaclt Students Staff Name of School Grades Pern. W. Ports. W N T W N Comments 1 mn 0 Ihe lesde s groae 7-6 i Lom Libemty | C i I : Central olnil! {=f fig 3 £I2Y /22/ : i i i | g uJ am Ys 0 4.29] 429! : 2 fPsS1en Grados 7 ¢€ E +o L1benty : | Libeniy B.C, LToNg MEY Leff & | 297 | 7450 — i! ! i {/nclvcles grades 7 —4 JA a ) p ’ He itmite Lo Tre) ni né [—& 292 | SL/ | FLD Fromm Cresty £ Clos le / Vy 1 7 Jd ~1& |aSSI1ch drades gard +a GS Josteie > = at wr E R N S T ba = a T e PE R P C 0 Josten £10 Ee ¥ | £20 | 125218 7/79 1 44] | ! : oe i — OK 8 i fi ) j ; i Includes § 4000S /~6 Dim te (1 ; | I ° y £ i : | ty TT a / H : of DSSIeh § bts 2 ry ’ 17.12/12 } [2ifo Rod EH] 26H H Ho Shrtess : 8 Ih 5 | : i li 71 / i i : i CG lester A.C, lft RB L2e W252 1/291 4ot/ li } i i 1h /! 1 i i } { prthy D0 /-Z 2s | £ of 2 Co | / ; y - IH i i - [27a ! W125 82 dou | if i is i i § i ! i | i i f | i ; | | i } : ! i i III. DESEGREGATION OF FACULTY AND OTHER STAFF The School Board shall announce and implement the following policies: 1. The principals, teachers, teacher-aides and other staff who work directly with children at a school shall be so assigned for the school year 1969-70 and subsequent years that in no case will the racial com- position of a staff indicate that a school is intended for Negro students or white students. For the 1969-70 school year the district shall assign the staff described above so that the ratio of Negro to white teachers in each school, and the ratio of other staff in each, are substantially the same as each such ratio is to the teachers and other staff, respectively, in the entire school system. The school district shall, to the extent necessary to carry out this desegre- gation plan, direct members of its staff as a condition of continued employ- ment to accept new assignments. 2. Staff members who work directly with children, and professional staff who work on the administrative level will be hired, assigned, promoted, paid, demoted, dismissed, and otherwise treated without regard to race, color, or national origin, except to the extent necessary to correct discrimination. 3. If there is to be a reduction in the number of principals, teachers, teacher-aides, or other professional staff employed by the school district which will result in a dismissal or demotion of any such staff members, the staff member to be dismissed or demoted must be selected on the basis of objective and reasonable non-discriminatory standards from among all the staff of the school district. In addition if there is any such dismissal or demotion, no staff vacancy may be fjlled through recruitment of a person of a race, color, or national origin different from that of the individual dismissed or demoted, until each displaced staff member who is qualified has had an oppor- tunity to fill the vacancy and has failed to accept an offer to do so. Prior to such a reduction, the school board will develop or require the develop- ment of non-racial objective criteria to be used in selecting the staff member who is to be dismissed or demoted. These criteria shall be available for public inspection and shall be retained by the school district. The school district also shall record and preserve the evaluation of staff members under the criteria. Such evaluation shall be made available upon request to the dismissed or demoted employee. : "Demotion" as used above includes any reassignment (1) under which the staff member receives less pay or has less responsibility than under the assign- ment he held previously, (2) which requires a lesser degree of skill than did the assignment he held previously, or (3) under which the staff member is asked to teach a subject or grade other than one for which he is certified or for which he has had substantial experience within a reasonably current period. In general and depending upon the subject matter involved, five years is such a reasonable period. we TRANSPORTATION Iv. The transportation system shall be the tation of discriminatory basi 18% superintendent, his staff, assignment of students to buses will be designed to insure the transpor- V. HOOL. CONSTRUCTION AND Cc 1% he QQ > 0) pe 4 ompletely re-examined regularly by school board. all eligible pupils on a non-segregated and otherwise non- LECTION All: school construction, school the location of any temporary classrooms) manner which will prevent desegregation plan is implemented. 1g C MAJORITY TO MINORITY T Whenever there shall this school district school ‘in which his r school where space is the i | LJ PANQ IVALYD consolidat location of new school buildings and additions to existing an significantly affect desegregation now and in the future. on, and site selection (including i - ’ in this system shall be done in a f the dual school structure FER POLICY schools containing a majority of Negro students, permit a student (Negro or in the majority to choose to attend another and where his race is able, routes and white) attending a in a minority. ATTENDANCE OUTSIDE SYSTEM OF RESIDENCE If the School District grants transfers to students living in the district for their attendance at public schools ou the district, or if it permits transfers into the district of students who live outside the district, it shall do so on a non-discriminatory basis, except that it shall not consent to transfers where the cumulative effect will reduce desegregation in either district or reinforce the dual school system. VIII. SUGGESTIONS FOR PLAN IMPLEMENTATION Successful implementation of desegregation plans largely depends upon local leadership and good faith in complying with mandates of the Courts and the laws upon which the Courts act. The following suggestions are offered to assist local officials in planning for implementation of desegregation orders. Community 1. The Superintendent and Board of Education should frankly and fully inform all citizens of the community about the legal requirements for school desegregation and their plans for complying with’ these legal requirements. The Board of Education should issue a public statement clearly setting forth its intention to abide by the law and comply with orders of the Court. in an effective and educationally responsible manner. School officials should seek and encourage support and understanding of the press and.community organizations representing both races. The Board of Education, or some other appropriate governmental unit, should establish a bi-racial advisory committee to advise the Board of Education and its staff throughout the ‘implementation of the desegregation plan. Such committee should seek to open up community understanding and communication, to assist the Board in interpreting legal and educational requirements to the public. The Superintendent should actively seek greater involvement of parents of both races through school meetings, newsletters, an active and bi- racial P.T.A., class meetings, parent conferences, and through home visits by school personnel. 6. The Superintendent and Board of Education should regularly report the community on progress in implementing the desegregation plan. School Personnel 1. The Superintendent should provide all personnel copies of the desegregation plan and arrange for meetings where the personnel will have an opportunity to hear it explained. The Board of Education should issue a policy statement setting forth in clear terms the procedures it will follow in reassignment of the personnel (sce section on Desegregation of Staff). Assignments of staff for the school year should be made as quickly as possible with appropriate followings by school principals to assure both welcome and support for personnel new to each school. Invitations to visit school before the new school year begins should be offered. The Superintendent should sce that a speéral orientation program is planned and carried out for both the professional and non-professional staffs (including bus drivers, cafeteria workers, sccretaries and custodians) preparatory to the new school year. He should make every effort to familiarize now and reassigned staff with facilities, services, and building policies, and prepare them to carry out their important role in a constructive manner. The Superintendent should direct each principal to see that cach teacher new to a school is assigned for help and guidance to a teacher previously assigned to that school. Fach such pair of teachers should have an oppor- tunity to meet before the school year actually begins. The Superintendent should arrange an during the school year to assist person and improving instruction throughout the the lelp in doing this is available from Service Consulting Center at la ering It is important that, that nonprofessional service 13CS 5 | 1c members of one race and that harmonious workir tionships can exist between members of both races. The Sup 1 and Poard of Education should therefore take all necessary steps to assure that all staffs are bi-racial. 0 Mg a Mo rr 2 E a 1. Instructional Program Each principal should be required to appoint biracial faculty committees to study and, as necessary, revise each area of the curriculum to assure better learning opportunities for all stu- dents. This should become a continuous activity in each school and throughout the district. Student evaluation policies and procedures should be revicwed continuously for areas in need of improvement and adjustment to bh) encourage the educational growth and motivation of students. Remedial programs ad and mathematics ckills, as appro- priate, should be introduced and/or expanded for all students in nced of special help. Such a program. should i dg reg- ular course offerings and Ss Cnn cf students. Grouping procedures should be reviewed and revised as necessary to assure they support the spirit as well as letter of desegre- gation plan the tris t has accepted responsibility for imple- menting in good Participation in extracurricular ; both races should be actively encourage idministrators and teachers as a means for developing scho pirit and a feeling of belonging School organizations - student government, cheerleaders, musi- cal organizations, athletic teams must be operated on a nondis- criminitory basis and should include students of both races. Guidance counselors should be oriented leading role in successful implementa plan, The curriculum should be reviewed and, as necessary, revised to provide recognition of Negro history, culture and contri- butions to our society. Library books which deal with such subjects should be added to school book collections. Vocational education offerings should be reviewed and improved as a means of providing students of both races with education relevant to vocational interests and as a means of reducing dropouts. Headstart or similar preschool programs for children of both races should be implemented. Use of Federal and Station education funds should be planned comprehensively for maximum educational benefit to all eligible children. s STUDENTS 1. The Superintendent should direct each principal to hold special orientation programs welcoming students who will be new to a school, before the regular school year begins. The Superintendent should require each principal to see that students are frankly and fully informed about the desegregation plan and their responsibilities to help carry it out. Each principal should seek to establish rapport and communication links with new students to encourage mutual understanding and confidence, The Superintendent should direct each principal to establish a student-faculty human relations committee representing both races to aid in the successful implementation of desegregation. All school staff and members of the student body should exert extra effort to assure the full participation of all students of both races in extra-curricular programs, including when appropriate the provision of a "late bus'" for those staying after school to participate in such programs. Each principal should request teachers to make themselves available to students outside of regular class for counseling and extra instructional help. RESQURCES FOR a In addition to the regular recsour available to school officials, or carrying out plang of desegrega may call upon the fcllowing South Miszsissip; Center University Southern Stat] Hattiecburg, Phone: LUTLDING IUFCATION & on ant re) | = " vo) S 3 oo Thy 4 &o | -~w De 3 yr Lipateteds A a IRIS Y of CL Pa & Gane FIM &, Sax = a - 1.3 ipa y Rit ibis! (Githoue porcables Rd - oF TY DN SN Lo ARYA, Cl Li 2 A Ny rns GECINLE EN porary RETO 0NI3 Rb tala a 4 La ES 3 ow 2p an fe Current Studs s La ' 3 LB Kets =55¢€. BRA I EI TT Me 1 Yinite fessional Bret role: wis Ll D2 Pers ait a TR APH A AS ; - 2a on Vesey LoLal ae C3 - : du 1 | v < ’ 1,3 “ { i 01 Pi 0, SRRRSEHNPS, SU-SY, S00, NUONISUSE, SERA 4 Fras. £01 /640 Rp ES 3 i PE a = DERE & A . r — — es % an 242 4. a 1 = { 9.60 Ea at - ble Classrooms avr sews us ex - yr urbey of Acres in School Site ~~ -3 18018 OF <@ Viv ae dn / 4 AFP View Ee Rd { & £ #* Ve rs { FIT anal ! mle Cn Can Ls / pr =~ { 71, £735 2, ay 5 5 Sys y; 7 oa a Bama of P 7 pacity -— Ca A $132 4 “Lh ed ¥] null hi 4 State Pared GC Ry (without p pacity [ if EE Te a I; 7.2L bd Ns al fe To BRO aq] a SEER SE it - Aa Eile <2 Le Enrol PPS I wh EE Sy Ee Total § Limes Rr ler moses raonnel LEA A nal T SAE I EADS TR ape a ot ERE St | 1 a z DOR asec 5 1 JD Pd MAT Z af 4 > cf py Fed ve i) / Ar t Fb shana spe 3 £ Yrs i pnt 4% £ Fn ETON SY oO a a at A = rik hie) a eg LR ELE TLET TN. s ? & Ww ber oi 2 “- 3: € a Rn id 4 22d [7 S wa Fy ng rod nan Loan th LP «© Portable C o & er Gf um] B ; be Te Bd Dey T N x 5s. ding e¢ Feet in Buil os - 3 Squ 5 & J kr Corp 12:2 won ge oF Ga a tach a De > Gr £2 » / nds . % / Mri [eo Po X. Je £ ar v / /- Pid 7) " DING merit eery TA PW MTT A dind Jeatis G4 lead Lad PD HMew ds nee, 5 sme ioncbeima ety Cm roe Address Kame of FPrinct Crades in Scho State Rated Capac _ Msxioun Building Capacity rie i SA (without portables) Cu rand Ooaurla yoy XE / Y LL q : LETC ns NY WAL P- USS rd A as Lar Ge im ] aad SEES at Me APE, FAAS BEERS A nite I Total od - ge Ya omy fe al St SUG LSE AM Enroll Lmens \- TORO, PR AL Kosher of Teachers 0 ; ERP TBA BEER TR KT ET SIRS IC Su liegzo 2.% - So 2 thier Pro&e - 3 193 od se 1 b= ry Laite i Tr ' 4 + { is 1 : ANGI I RAG BD TTI ALO | £3 3A 3 < / 4 / { ES had SREY 45%, WS AL § a wid parsed lag \ is £1 | a eg. WIL Ea” rT “i 213 " — — “ i wd 3 § e r — — — — wv — — — i ~ 3 1 Nurber Age of L1ding I ot, [ nstruction umbey Portable Clogovoonsa Kuober Kurber of Square Feet in Bullding Number of Acies in School Site > 8 Ov “1 Lt tacit . Pa iG FRR TU SAT on On Ih1L Murlzer of Permanent Teaching Sta Rated Capacity Madmen Budlding Capacity [Lf 0 AP mga Ys oad Total Studer H A EAE TB IR MT EAI TA RIG NSE Kegro Xa AGE EE “i aud | 2 A £70 | 7 ee AR Ee San 3 a RAT I ER LZ LP SOU fo il Lifer fe wh TIAA To ixrmby oe a ei : . ea 5 rey Q{RRO EY ; L008 Lang pori ed A w : Age of Bullding G9e0 ype of Construction (Fret La a i ae Rumbeyr of Portabl LIST | Rumber of Temporary Clas Nucher of Square Feet in Building Number of Bcres in School Site ur Attach ¢ + 0 {ue gud jects od sources offered. hole LIN UT