Plaintiff-Appellee's Petition for Rehearing
Public Court Documents
May 10, 2001

15 pages
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Case Files, Alexander v. Holmes Hardbacks. Desegregation Plan and Report for Franklin County School System, 1969. fd886354-cf67-f011-bec2-6045bdffa665. LDF Archives, Thurgood Marshall Institute. https://ldfrecollection.org/archives/archives-search/archives-item/5e9e5160-0af6-48a6-a4be-6e977b15890d/desegregation-plan-and-report-for-franklin-county-school-system. Accessed August 19, 2025.
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LJ} Ci a SO 1 Ra Lets N A DESEGREGATION PLAN FOR THE | | | | FRANKLIN COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM I | | | | | | ET rrr ———— TL Re ot / PrENIIX /3 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE REGIONAL OFFICE Room 404, 50 Seventh Street, N.E. OFFICE OF SOUCATION Atlanta, Georgia 30323 Mr. W. E. Boggan Superintendent Franklin County School District Meadville, Mississippi 39633 Dear Mr. Boggan: In accordance with the July 5, 1969 order of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, the following desegrega- tion plan for ending the dual school system in the Franklin County School District is submitted for your consideration. . We wish to express our appreciation for the cooperation received from you and your staff. Sincerely yours, 9 Lo nn Jeske]. Jordan Senior Program Officer Equal Educational Opportunities A DESEGREGATION PLAN FOR THE FRANKLIN COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM A REPORT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT BY THE DIVISION OF EQUAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES UNITED STATES OFFICE OF EDUCATION ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30323 TABLE OF CONTENTS Enrollment and Building Information Recommended Plan for Student Desegregation Faculty Desegregation Transportation School Construction and Site Selection Majority to Minority Transfer Policy Attendance Outside System of Residence Suggestions for Plan Implementation Resources for Assistance Building Information Forms COMPOSITE BUILDING INFORMATION FORM ont: 1069-4.9 FE Roe meT FRAIL IN COVRTY BCHOCLS Capacity Studonts , Staff Name of School : Grades Perm. W. Ports. W N T W N T Comments FEAR (4) [=a VY /500) = (053.37 Wanlde ld tJ. » LitL1E [AE Beau a? 4 /350 — Oo Ve351/03518.5 425] 4 Terai 109311072 | 2155 51.6 146.5 | 74.0 = JOES Special | Uneespes | di SG i// R80. 5 UD » WC TARR IED GRAVD TETAL ath 1094 \1075\2/69 53 | 47 | 100 FRANKLIN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT II. RECOMMENDED PLAN FOR STUDENT DESEGREGAT ION 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: School capacities are based on the District's formula of multiplying the number of teachers by 30 for both elementary and secondary schools, 1. That the Franklin School house all students in grades 7 - 12, That the Lillie Mae Bryant School house all students in grades 1 - 6, That the Jones Special Retarded School should be operated without regard to race, color, or national origin. Current Transportation Statistics furnished by the Franklin County School District Superin- tendent's office indicate that one school was receiving as many as 100% of its students by bus. The lowest percentage reported in this District was 93%. The District average is 97%. COMPOSITE #UTLLING INFORMATION FORM +) = . A om le : - cc . : re pA: SNOCIECTE 2. LLLPDLRINE 87 /9¢- 9-70 [ICAL 1 A) C. CMI Y SIL S Capacity Students Staff Name of School Grades Perm. W. Ports. N T N Comments FAALL 1) 2§C 5/3] 2 = | Lrceec Hae Deyvauy 5371560 Tones Seccns WC weenved KETARDE PD) CRALD TET. 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 in this district at the beginning of the 1969-70 school year. Should the Court decide to defer complete desegregation of this school district beyond the opening of the coming school term, the i ' | . following steps could in our judgment be taken this fall to ac- complish partial desegregation of the school system without delay, or with very minimal delay, in the scheduled opening of the school year. Student Desegregation: 1. That the Franklin School house all students in grades 4-6 sul] - : in the county as well as those students in grades 7-12 who are already registered to attend the Franklin School for 1969-70. 2. That the Lillie Mae Bryant School house all students in . ovd- 6 grades 1-340 the county as well as those students in grades 7-12 who are already registered to attend the Lillie Mae Bryant School for 1969-70. 3, That the Jones Special Retarded School should be operated without regard to race, color, or national origin. Desegregation of Faculty and Other Staff: Full desegregation of faculty and other starr 3 the grades affected by the possible interim assignments of students "above, and district-wide desegregation of 2 scaly End other staff in each school to at least 50% of the Foconmendetton contained in Part I of Section III of this plan. OTHER: Implementation of Sections Iv, V, VI and VII contained in this plan. | | - 7 . INFURNT IG, FOR FRAIL IL a OOTY mits 35184 TRIER Im STEAS Students Starf | Capacity T Ww N T : Comments vane of School Grados | CeIn. 3. Porzs., 1 Y N Fron WILLA) laZD 299) an— Bevavr er 494) O8 £ JopES. SPECIAL \(eraep) | IL 8 Grsup IAL 111. 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. 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. V. SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AND SITE SELECTION The size and location of new school buildings and additions to existing buildings ¢an 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 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 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). 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 5 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 3%401 Phone: (601) 266-7150 Division of Equal Educational Opportunities U., 5. Office of Educatiom 50 Seventh Street, N. E., Koom 404 Atlanta, Georgia 30323 Phone: (404) 526-3076 Pe RAR LIO COI % BUILDING INFORMATION Name of School FR AK c/n) Miiennapce Fleen Address ELLIE, Us... ~ Neme of Principal “ 2 L 5/34 VEau2 Grades In School /—/ ol Number of Permanent Teaching Stations Alt State Rated Capacity /3 $20 Maximum Building Capacity /& /O . (without portables) Portable and Temporary Classrooms ig Current Student Enrollment [0 §.3 Y 112 White Total Total Student Enrollment 1] RC Number of Teachers AH 3 LE White Negro Other Professional Persennel 2 : ] (£7) , : White : Negro Enrollment by Grades ACAPULCO DT 6th | 7th | een | oth hotn hitn hath |] Total ERE aE ARE HW IN WIN U IN [LW } /0/\.3 1991 3 eal 03131713 31 3 | 1/053)3) i aed JO 4 /18 ¥0 ) 40 UH lao Number of Students Transported [045 > r Age of Bullding Elem, - XQ Type of Construction ¥ Ler: Fram; Herng JR then - HO; Hie Scum —~ 2. Coesrpe om = /7, Number of Portable Classrooms SL. Number of Temporary Classrooms Number of Square Feet in Building Number of Acres in School Site /5 Attach a list of the subjects or courses offered HN J EOEMAT ION On) WHA” CEADES = AE CRO 37 DEALTS VATE 47 2; : / * f@rrss Covwry BUILDING INFCRMATION Name of School Liccese Nac Revavr BOrrenpince Lecs Address / EAL VY! LE) (Thies Neme of Principal AC, J. (OL L1APS Grades in School / = /2Q lumber of Permanent Teaching Stations 4 5 State Rated Capacity / 35D Maximum Building Capacity 137775 (without pertables) Portable and Temporary Classrooms J Current Student Enrollment O 3 5 [1035 White Total Total Student Enrollment /JO3R5 Number of Teachers > LL] £70 White Negro Other Professional Perscnnel 5 1:5 White : Negro Enrollment by (rades 2nd | 3rd [Len sth | 6th | 7en Hon loth | hoth h EARN E N{W]N EEN Wf CEE EEN VELD a, o lg WIA 0 ober 0 7 0|87 0 § 54 | 86) 10 09 75 | £9 | 52 Number of Students Transported J G4 55 Age of Building Liem, -17 Type of Construction DLC Lrtmz, Her 744 Hier scram vid ian — 7. Nunber of Portable Classroons___ oo) Number of Temporary Classrooms Number of Square Feet in Building Nunber of Acres in School Site (r/ Attach a list of th 2 sub je cr courses offered. * | Qc vcr (ovwry 8 BUILDING INFORMATICH : Name of School Jo ES SOF Ctr L OE zoo 9) Address Heanv, LL LZ, Neme of Principal Grades In school [Jn &2upep Number of Permanent Teaching Stations oZ_ Xx State Rated Capacity 3O Maximum Building Capacity (without portables) Portable and Temporary Classrooms Current Student Enrollment // 3 He ’ /4/ : White Negro Total Total Student Enrollment ] 4 Number of Teachers / | ’ ’ / White Negro Total Other Professional Persecnnel +z » YS 3 / Cine) wWnite ohegto ee lobed P Enrollment by Grades ~ ist | 2nd 3rd hen lsen lstn | 7¢n | ath | oth hotn hin | hoth |] Total ¢ WINJVW IN|WINIW NW {N{W IN N Riu iN {WIN} WIN {[ fi | | [L/ Is [otal | [+ Number of Students Transported / +/ Age of Building = Type of Construction FLOCK Number of Portable Classrooms O Number of Temporary Classrooms (O) Number of Square Feet in Building — Number of Acres In School Site [ Attach a list of the subjects or ccurszs offered, x3 AA £ED on) S777 7& LEGO REMNS VT Oo /~ ALI IIT) | OL PE SruDEANS FEL CARSSEC7 4