Desegregation Plan and Report for Columbia City School System

    A DESEGREGATION PLAN FOR THE 

COIUMBIA CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM 

  
  

77, ral J G7 
7PPENDI X 7  



A DESEGREGATION PLAN FOR THE 

COLUMBIA CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM 

A REPORT TO THE 

SUPERINTENDENT 

BY THE 

DIVISION OF EQUAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES 

UNITED STATES OFFICE OF EDUCATION 

ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30323  



DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE 

REGIONAL OFFICE 

Room 404 - 50 Seventh Street, N.E. 

OFFICE OF EDUCATION Atlanta, Georgia 30323 

Mr. B. F. Duncan, Superintendent 

Columbia City Schools 

Post Office Box 530 

Columbia, Mississippi 39429 

Dear Mr. Duncan: 

In-accordance with the July 5, 1969 order of the United States 

District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, the 

following desegregation plan for ending the dual school system 

in-the Columbia City Schools is submitted for your consideration. 

We .wish to express our appreciation for the cooperation received 

from you and your staff, 

Sincerely yours, 

Jé&sge J, Jordan 

Senior Program Officer 

Equal Educational Opportunities 

 



  

TABLE OF CONTENTS | 

: : : 

| IE I.. Enrollment and Building Information i pacer / 

| 11... Recommended Plan for Student Desegregation- 2 

] ity, Faculty Desegregation Neo tr rid : ir 

3 IV. Transportation : he Se SE Bown oe ) 3 : r 

Vi. Sehool Construction and Site Selection - he ’ 

VI.. Majority co Minority Transfer Policy 5 al Tu 4 

VII. Attendance Outside System of Residence ar | 3 

VIII. Suggestions for Plan Implementation ghia C7 

1%: Resources for Assistance LHe : al / 5 

X.. Building Information Forms CEM : : / 

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COLUMBIA CITY SCHOOLS 

IT. 

‘RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SCHOOL DESEGREGATION 

| 
Recommendations, 1969-70 

In- order to bring about a unitary school system in which schools are 

not: identifiable by race, the following recommendations to be effective 

for: the 1969-70 school year are submitted! : 

The student assignment recommendations are approximate because the 

Columbia City School District did not have a pupil locator map. School 

capacities are based on figures supplied by the District and checked by 

multiplying the number of regular classrooms by 30. 

1.. Columbia High School will remain a senior high school for grades 

8-12. 

. John J. Jefferson will become a middle school for grades 5-7. 

_ The Columbia Elementary School will remain an elementary school 

serving grades 3-4. 

Columbia Primary will remain a primary elementary school, 

serving all students in grades 1-2 in the district. 

‘Transportation: 
  

Statistics furnished by the Columbia City School-Superintendent's Office 

indicate that some schools are already receiving as many as 32% of their 

students by buses. The lowest percentage reported in this district was 

24%, The district average is 29%. 

 



  

        
  

    

                  

  

    

          
  

    
  

  

  
  

        
  

      

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POSSIBLE INTERIM STEPS 
COLUMBIA CITY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT 
  

The plan that. we have. prepared and that we recommend to the 

Court provides for: complete disestablishment of the dual school system 

in this district at: the beginning of the 1969-70 school year. Because 

af ele: number of cli ture and schools in this district, and because of 

the proximity of the: scheduled opening of the school year, implementa- 

tion of our recommended plan-may require delay in-that scheduled opening. 

Should the Court. decide to defer complete desegregation of thts school 

district beyond: the: opening of the coming school term, the following 

steps could in our- judgment :be taken this fall to accomplish partial 

‘desegregation of the school system without delay, or with very minimal 

delay, im the scheduled opening of the school year. 

Student Desegrezation: 
  

L.. That grades. 1,4,7 and 9 be discontinued at John J. Jefferson. 

The remaining grades (2-3, 5-6, 8 and 10-12) will continue to 

be housed in that school during the 1969-70 school year. 

That all Negro students in grades 1, 4, 7 and 9 be reassigned 

to: the school. serving the attendance zone in which they live. 

That all other. schools retain the same grade structure as in 

-y 1968-69, hia 

Desegregation of Faculty and Other Staff: 

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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 507 of the recommendation contained in Part I Section III 

of this plan,    



OTHER: 

Implementation-of ‘Sections IV, V, VI and VII contained 

in this:plan:. 1 

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COMPOSITE BUILCi:G INFORMATION FORM 

  

  

  

  

Lette Tuterm Steps UMPOSIIE BULL: G INE ¥ FOR 

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DAZE: : . ( 

Capacity Students staff 

Name of School Grades Perm. W. Ports. Ww ON T Ww N T Comments 

per ois TYBYEE > TTT be [ T Gi DE vt ~~ : nt UML 

Colislpn: LreSr T=/2 L940 9&0 (55 [357 790 

Toh IT, Telleron lt 3546000 730 | 1250 ol $3515 35 Y portables @ 
  

  Glide fromrg| £23 | 0 | fro eelnl 502 | 

Colurbse. Elometams rl doo | S70 #4121552 | / Pordidfe 

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111, 

DESEGREGATION OF FACULTY AND OTHER STAFF 
  

The School Board shall announce and implement the following policies: fa 

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. j 

"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:zreasonable period. 2 

 



IV. 

TRANSPORTATION 
  

The transportation system shall be completely re-examined regularly by 

the superintendent, his staff, and the school board. Bus routes and the 

assignment of students to buses will be designed to insure the transpor- 

tation of all eligible pupils on a non-segregated and otherwise non- 

discriminatory basis. 

Vv. 

SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AND SITE SELECTION 
  

The size and location of new school buildings and additions to existing 

buildings can significantly affect desegregation now and in the future. 

All school construction, school consolidation, and site selection (including 

the location of any temporary classrooms) in this system shall be done in a 

manner which will prevent the recurrance of the dual school structure once 

this desegregation plan is implemented. 

NI. 

  
MAJORITY TO MINORITY TRANSFER POLICY 

Whenever there shall exist schools containing a majority of Negro students, 

this school district shall permit a student (Negro or white) attending a 

school in which his race is in the majority to choose to attend another 

school where space is available, and where his race is 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 outside 
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 
  

Saccessful 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 to 

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 (see section on Desegregation of Staff). 

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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 see that a special orientation 

program is planned and carried out for both the professional 

and non-professional staffs (including bus drivers, cafeteria 

workers, secretaries and custodians) preparatory to the new 

school year. He should make every effort to familiarize new 

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 each teacher new to a school is 

assigned for help and guidance to a teacher previously assigned 

to that school. Each such pair of teachers should have an oppor- 

tunity to meet before the school year actually begins. 

! . The Superintendent should arrange an in-service training program . 

during the school year to assist personnel in resolving diggiculties 

and improving instruction throughout the implementation period. 

Help in doing this is available from the South Mississippi In- 

Service Consulting Center at Hattiesburg, Mississippi. 

It is important that, through personal observations, students see 

that nonprofessional service positions in their schools are not for 

members of one race and that harmonious working relationships can 

exist between members of both races. The Superintendent and Board 

of Education should therefore take all necessary steps tO assure 

that all staffs are bi-racial. 

 



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Instructional Program 
  

1. 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 reviewed 

continuously for areas in need of improvement and adjustment to 

encourage the educational growth and motivation of students. 

Remedial programs in reading and mathematics skills, as appro- 

priate, should be introduced and/or expanded for all students 

in need of special help. Such a program should supplement reg- 

ular course offerings and assignments of 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 district has accepted responsibility for imple- 

menting in good faith. 

Participation in extracurricular activities by students of 

both races should be actively encouraged by administrators and 

teachers as a means for developing school spirit 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 and urged to plan a 

leading role in successful implementation of the desegregation 

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.  



  

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11. 

Headstar
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preschoo
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 for children
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use of Federal 
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ro all eligible

 

children
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- The guper intenden
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orientat
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 welcomin
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 who will pe new to a 

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students
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both 

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 of Jegegre
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A11 school 
staff and members 

of the student 
body should 

exert 

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the full sartici
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of all students
 

of both races 
in acrgscu

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 outside 
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class for counsel
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IX. 

RESOURCES FOR ASSISTANCE 
  

In-addition to the regular resources for assistance 

available to school officials, districts developing 

or: carrying out plans of desegregation in Mississippi 

may call upon the following agencies for help: 

South Mississippi In-Service Consulting 

Center 

University of Southern Mississippi 

Southern Station 

Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39401 

Phone: (601) 2066-7130 

Division of Equal Educational Opportunities 

U. S. Office of Education 

50 Seventh Street, N. E., Room 40& 

Atlanta, Georgia 30323 
Phone: (404) 526-3076 

 



BUILDING INFORMATION 

Name :of School Coluubla JunicrwScnlor High School 
  

Address: Eroad and Bryant Strosts, Columbia, Mississippi 
  

Name of Principal Bobby Jos Oswalt 
  

Ctades in School © Number of Permanent Teaching Stations 32, 
  

  

State Rated Capacity. 27 Maximum Building Capacity 8¢L 
  

  

(without portables) 

Nons 
  

Portable and Temporary Classrooms 

Carrent Student Enrollment 655 670 
  

White : Total 

Total Student Enrollment 670 
  

Number: of Teachers 30 
  

    

White 

Other: Professional Personnel . 3 
  

    

White 

7 Enrollment by Grades 
SOpP3Ce 7 

5¢h |IEdREA] 7¢h[ 8th) 9th 

  

  

WIN] WINIWIN N I 
  

    9 139 7 1 1 LLCO                         

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Number of Students Transported 212 
  

2d N 

    

  

Number of Portable Classrooms Nene 
  

Number of Temporary Classrooms Kone 
  

Number of Square Feet in Ewilding 58,310 
  

Number -of Acres in School Site 15 
  

Attach a list of the subjects or courses offored.  



  

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BUTLDING TI FORMATION 

Name ‘of ‘School Jchn J, Jefferson 
  

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Address Peace Straet, Columbia, Missiasipl 
  

Name :of Principal Mr. We S. McLaurin 
  

  

  

Grades in School 12 Number of Permanent Teaching Stations 31 

State Rated Capacity 27 Maximum Building Capacity 837 
(without portables) 
  

  

Portable and FTTIEESETE Classrooms h 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

: Current Student Enrollment ’ 836 K 836 

; White Negro Total 

Total Student Enrollment 836 : 

Number of Teachers 2.6 (x) ! 3k ’ 36.6 
White - Negro Total 

Other Professional Personnel 2.1 ’ 2 ’ Lol : 

White Negro Total 

(#) Two more whits tsachars will go 
to. Jom J. Jofforson naxt year.     

  

Enrollment by Grades 

  

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he. Ri VINIVINIVINIM I HOI IRI idl urn vintluiniwiy PY wl! | | | 

30 | |88] 16] |ro| |so| ler] sr] [66] mu] Bu| [s3| 68 l3¢ 
    

    
                

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Number of Students Transported 22) 
HeSe 11 yr3,. vs = 

Age of Building E:Se 2 yrs. Type of Construction Brick and masonry 

  

  
  

  

Number of Portable Classrooms hh 
  

Number of Temporary Classrooms Nona 
  

Number: of Sgrire Fest. in :10iag 5k, 980 
  

  

Noshor:of Acran in Scion] Sita L 

Attach a list of the sudj2cts or courses offored. 

 



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BUILDING INFCRMATION 

Name: of “School Columbia Elementary 
  

Address: Mary Street, Colunbia, Mizsissippl 
  

Name: of Principal Mrs. Nell Coker 
  

  Grades in- School 3 Number of Permanent Teaching Stations 16 
  

State Rated Capacity 27 Maximum Building Capacity 432 
(without portables) 
  

  

  

Portable and Temporary Classrooms   
  

Carrent- Student Enrollment Lhd 463 

White 
Total 
  

  

Total Student Enrollment L63 
  

Number -of ‘Teachers 17.8 19.8 

White 
Total 
  

  

Other-Professional Personnel 5 

White 

  

  

  

Space Enrollment by Grades 

Edn 
; 7 

Srdel 4thi Sth! &zhi 7th 8th | 9th 

WIN] WIN WN WIN WN WIN YIN 

  

        

  

  
      

      

  

      23 3 1361216 7 | i 

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23 |139 | 18 |153 
    

  
              

                              
  of Students Transported 11 13 

I) N 

.Building 1 Type of Construction 
  

  

  

Number: ‘Portable Classrooms 
  

Number Temporary Classrooms 1 
  

Number of Square Feet in [ :ilding 20,880 
  

  
Nuvher-of ‘Acres i H¢iinal Cite ly 

Attach a list of the suvjects or courses offcred.  



BUILDING INFORMATION 

Name: of. School’ Columbia Primary 

Addiess: Oak Avenus, Columbia, Mississippi 

  

  

Name of: Principal Migs Jearas Williamson 
  

~ Grades. in School. 3 Number of Permanent Teaching Stations 17 
  

  

  
State Rated: Capacity 27 Maximum Building Capacity L59 

: (without portables) 
  

Portable and Temporary Classrooms None 

12 | | 168 
White 

165 

  

  

  

Current Student Enrollment 

Total Student Enrollment 
  

Number- of: Teachers 17.8 
White 

  

  

Other: Professional Personnel 48 

White 

  

  
  

  

. So 

Farol tnent by Grades 

os 
seh] 6th| 7th 8th 

Nt WI Nt Wi Ni WIN 

4 

  

  
  

  
                          

                                
  

of Students Transported 01 10 = 111 

vy N 

“Building 17 Type of Construction Brick 
    

  

  

Number of Portable Classrooms Nons 

Number of Temporary Classrooms Nene 
  

Number: of. Square Fert in ivlling 22 310 
  

Rurher-of Alras 12 Schaal ‘Tita 1h 
  

Attach a list of the subj2cts or courses offared.