Document: 444 U.S. 437 100 S.Ct. 716 62 L.Ed.2d 626 Nolan ESTES et al., petitioners,v.METROPOLITAN BRANCHES OF DALLAS NAACP Donald E. CURRY petitioners, v. METROPOLITAN Ralph F. BRINEGAR al No. 78-253 No.78-282 No.and 78-283 Supreme Court of the United States January 21, 1980 On Writs Certiorari to Appeals for Fifth Circuit. PER CURIAM. 1 The writs certiorari are dismissed as improvidently granted. 2 Mr. Justice POWELL, with whom STEWART and REHNQUIST join, dissenting. 3 today dismisses previously granted in this litigation thereby reinstates ruling Appeals. suit now will be returned District elaboration that court's conclusions on feasibility extensive busing achieve racial balance Dallas public schools. directed trial court supplement record formal studies anticipated times distances likely bus routes, make additional findings desegregation city's high 4 Although remand is narrow, aimed solely at sufficiency which based its order, I do not think it justified. After studying schools Independent School through many years litigation, judge drew his familiarity schools, advice community groups, fashion an effective fair order. failed accord proper deference Court's conscientious execution delicate task. 5 In addition, case presents a long-needed opportunity re-examine considerations relevant framing remedy suit. It increasingly evident use can conflict goals equal educational quality all too cities, well-intentioned decrees have had primary effect stimulating resegregation. experience during striking illustration problem. If orders substantial busing, apparently thinks should, recent history suggests school district well road "separate but equal" conditions mistakenly approved Plessy Ferguson, 163 537, 16 1138, 41 L.Ed. 256 (1896). Such outcome no less real or regrettable when caused by courts benign motives. promise Brown Board Education, 347 483, 74 686, 98 873 (1954), cannot fulfilled continued imposition self-defeating remedies. 6 * (School District) has been since 1955, although present part original During quarter century, grown into eighth largest country, covering 351 square miles spanning 35 widest point. Since action first was tried 1971, student population changed dramatically. Total enrollment dropped from 163,000 133,000, while distribution students shifted 69% Anglo 1971 33.5% Anglo, 49.1% black, 16.3% Mexican-American 1979. There were 112,000 1970; there fewer than 45,000. 7 This brought several parents, acting behalf their children, against superintendent Trustees (Board). Other parents groups intervened suit.1 summer found "elements" segregated system "still remain" Tasby Estes, 342 F.Supp. 945, 947 (ND Tex.1971). imposed number remedies, including approximately 15,000 students. plaintiffs appealed Circuit more reassignment transportation pupils. That declared "nothing elimination predominantly one-race constitutionally required. . ." 517 F.2d 92, 103, cert. denied, 423 939, 96 299, 46 271 (1975). Finding decree satisfy standard, remanded formulation new plan. 8 month-long remand, considered detail six plans submitted various parties court-appointed expert. heard nearly 50 witnesses, numerous experts, produced transcript some 4,000 pages. also conferred concerned most prominent Educational Task Force Alliance (Alliance), multiracial, nonpartisan organization.2 thorough opinion, 412 1192 Tex.1976), decline between 1976 result actions taken Board. fact, noted Board's continuing "good faith" efforts establish unitary system. Id., 1207. See Pasadena City Bd. Education Spangler, 427 424, 435-436, 2697, 2704-2705, 49 599 (1976). duty, asserted, adopt plan would "realistically effectively" light demographic changes District. 9 With careful attention special characteristics District, promulgated progressive comprehensive heavily proposals Alliance.3 For purposes assignment, divides subdistricts. integrated areas within each subdistrict, assignments retained wherever possible. other areas, children grades K-3 remain neighborhood schools; those 4-8 assigned central subdistrict; own subdistricts basis geographical attendance zones. provides "magnet schools" offer enriched programs.4 pupil assignment supplemented majority-to-minority transfers upon request.5 10 focuses busing.6 Each provided busing.7 did estimate pupils bused under decree, proposal paralleled 20,000 concluded composition subdistrict "will approximate makeup [district] whole, exception [East] Oak Cliff," black neighborhood. 1204. 11 Respondents argue leaves about one-third 176 district, "one-race" bodies (defined where 75% one race).8 Fifty-two these nine Mexican-American. A majority refusal very young children.9 recognized concern health welfare younger may dictate exclusion plans, see Swann Charlotte-Mecklenburg 402 1, 31, 91 1267, 1283, 28 554 (1971), respondents dispute feature because declined order "of 1,000 Anglos ordered transported formerly all-black plan, attend today." F.Supp., 1205. establishment magnet "most realistic, feasible, method eliminating remaining vestiges dual [school] 9-12 level. Ibid. 12 Viewed geographic basis, left "predominantly black" East Cliff, bounded Trinity River bottom side Interstate other. "practicalities time distance" prevent integration busing. contrast, Seagoville remains white. Seagoville, however, "geographically isolated" rest city, 572 1010, 1013 (CA5 1978), represents 2% District's body. 13 impressed carefully structured concentrated almost exclusively "large Dallas. 1012. 14 "We properly review any race without specific [student assignment] techniques. adequate time-and-distance case. Consequently, we means determining whether natural boundaries traffic preclude either pairing clustering eliminate large still existing." 1014. 15 "for justify maintenance plan." 1018 (emphasis added). II duration complexity demonstrate difficulty providing relief board must consider economic, social, factors, factors vary widely community. Courts frequently caught constitutional prohibition segregation severe limitations ability implement support. Columbus Penick, 443 449, 486-488, 99 2982, 2991, 61 666 (1979) (POWELL, J., dissenting). reluctant give general instructions orders, always completely consistent.10 instances confusion lower courts. infra, 449-450. 17 believe two rules provide basic outline responsible exercise courts' equitable powers cases. First, "the nature determined scope violation." Milliken Bradley, 433 267, 280, 97 2749, 2757, 53 745 (1977) (Milliken II). deprivation identified accurately, related closely deprivation. Otherwise, exceed both power competence Second, "[t]he measure effectiveness." Davis Comm'rs Mobile County, 33, 37, 1289, 1292, 577 (1971). act decisively remove purposeful segregation, avoid danger inciting resegregation unduly disrupting 18 Much plagued derives neglect principles. identify link violation remedy, showed little problem question effectiveness. Unless issues, judicial continue haphazard can, "like loose cannon, inflict indiscriminate damage" our communities.11 19 opinion entirely preoccupation oft-repeated language Green County Board, 391 430, 442, 88 1689, 1696, 20 (1968), create "a 'white' [or] 'Negro' school." As before, suitable small rural county before case, only 1,300 schoolchildren races scattered throughout county. But makes sense apply statement major metropolitan district. principal cause residential results largely economic over authorities control. g., U.S., 435-437, S.Ct., 2704-2705; Keyes Dist. Denver, Colo., 413 189, 222-223, 93 2686, 37 548 (1973) concurring dissenting part).12 cases Green, stated explicitly existence white [schools,] more, does offend Constitution." Dayton Brinkman, 406, 417, 2766, 2774, 851 (1977); II, supra, n. 14, 2757; 26, 1281.13 puzzling appellate misapply ignore statements issue. important distinction "desegregated" "integrated" legitimate claim "racial balance" 418 717, 740-741, 94 3112, 3125, 1069 (1974) I). Rather, Constitution mandates segregate races. proposition fully : 21 "Our objective dealing issues presented exclude minority school, directly indirectly, account race; embrace problems prejudice, even contribute disproportionate concentrations schools." 23, 1279. 22 cases, countless others, how equitably unconstitutional state inaction. "must designed possible 'to restore victims discriminatory conduct position they occupied absence such conduct.' " quoting I, 746, 3128. pursue goal responsibly identifying features current situation attributed previous system.14 23 956, 442. us, determine made violations justified remedies ordered. purpose deciding Court, assume duly found. event, 1975 need further petition raised issue, Pet. Cert. 78-253, pp. 2-3, petitioner here, asked reinstated. Brief Petitioners 71-72; Amicus Curiae 28. should reach merits remedial decision explain why "any" F.2d, 1018. B 24 deprivations systems drawn "in circumstances options available," 439, 1695, "taking practicalities situation." 1292. guidance necessarily general, emphasis effectiveness reflects appreciation perfect solutions unattainable context demographic, geographic, sociological complexities modern urban communities. imperfect phenomenon "remedies," oversight so unacceptable seek decree. impact seen higher private migration suburbs, refusals move 25 seriously relationship decrees. helpful precedent arose after local implemented.15 We held require modified periodically patterns shift that, absent State, obligation implemented. holding accents care establishes, once occurs impose remedy. 26 Surprisingly few courts, understood imperative. One (1974), Sixth explained available alternatives "accelerate[d] trend toward rendering Detroit's identifiably represent universal segregation. Bradley Milliken, 540 229, 239 (1976), aff'd, supra.16 involving Alabama, 'that probably body, nothing way accomplished neither nor benefited.' Lee Macon 465 369, 370 (1972). Even though acknowledged self-defeating, implemented unless could come forward "equally effective" Ibid.17 27 pursuit cost—the unintended legacy —is social justification. Out zeal evil, encourage set stage evils. By produce systems. Parents school-age highly motivated access perceived afford education. support, typically objectionable requirements oversight, accelerates exodus suburbs families able move. area affected denied ethnically diverse Assn. Andrew Jackson High Ambach, 598 705, 717 (CA2 1979). tends elements abandon them. effects broader, reaching beyond education inner city life entire When economically advantaged citizens leave tax base shrinks services suffer. And whose elect live lose benefits attending prepares child citizenship pluralistic society.18 III 29 support schools.19 facts unavoidable. five following proportion half. destabilizing reflected figures: Year Percentage Students 30 31 41.1% 1979 33.5%20 32 view far-reaching changes, futility administering larger doses self-evident. situation, justification reverting "time distance studies" attaining increased 33 take consequences effective. sensitive existing realities erred mandate seems certain accelerate destructive 34 tolerate error, silence might rise inference approval, dissent failure decide reinstate plan—a success. plaintiffs, class Curry petitioners group North pupils, Brinegar persons living consisted seven Mexican-Americans, Anglos, blacks, American Indian. comprises 77 cooperating organizations, branches AFL-CIO Chamber Commerce, religious civic chapters NAACP. proposed adopted Court. Of course, group's participation signify approval Force, clearly ties brief amicus curiae "reflects compromise" reached consensus. 21. career training, 10% population. 1192, 1215-1216 Tex.1976). Free correctly deficient expense who option. 1015 1978). initial dealt, satisfaction staff desegregation, construction, bilingual programs opportunities 953 These matters longer litigation. estimates ranged 14,000 originally 69,000 plaintiffs' Plan A. Tr. Oral Arg. 46. concede half elementary grade, category. al. 9. Yudof, Desegregation: Legal Realism, Reasoned Elaboration, Social Science Research 42 Law & Contemp.Prob. 57, 87-102 (Autumn quoted comes STEWART's Stump Sparkman, 435 349, 367, 1099, 1110, 55 331 (1978). Coleman, New Incentives Desegregation, Human Rights 10, (Fall 1978); Farley, Residential Segregation Its Implications Integration, 39 164 (Winter 1975). Some federal read requiring endorsing "to greatest degree actual desegregation." 1281. Swann, simply laid down broad rule reason flexible due consideration given values interests. difficulties arise used "with dense shifting population[s], [and] congested complex patterns." 1275. device, said suspect "when travel great risk significantly impinge process." 30-31, 1283. decisions dispelled doubt existed balance. regard, note mention I), relied heavily, mistakenly, Green. 103 Last Term, decided Dayton, Ohio. (1979); 526, 2971, 720 (Dayton II) (1979). argued, opinions appeared depart prior precedents instead criticizing reasoning holdings avoided force accepting uncritically below. Columbus, emphasized "purposefully segregative practices current, system-wide impact." 446, 2951, citing 429 252, 259-260, 264, 266 (SD Ohio 1977). tailored factual again 538-540, 2979-2980. instant comparable findings. Scotland Neck 407 484, 491, 92 2214, 2218, 75 (1972), disapproved attempt conceded operating concluding sentence, possibility "may deep respondents, accepted achieving anything complete uprooting system." "interfer[e] [c]ounty [s]chool 489, 2217. Given passing reference resegregation, affords usual Mapp Chattanooga 525 169 (CA6 1975), 911, 3199, 1203 California expressly authorized designing State Constitution. Crawford Los Angeles Cal.3d 308-309, 130 Cal.Rptr. 724, 551 P.2d 28, 47 counsel identical Education. At oral argument, if he "would next year afterwards going wouldn't whites people color go [in District]." Counsel replied clients' different situation. 49. branch government least competent long-range Because causes housing usually correction, wider acceptable sought legislators executive officials. 480-481, 2988 supra 12, 48-49; Willie, Racial Balance Quality Education?, Shadow Substance (Levinsohn Wright eds. 1976). appears succeeded enlisting active much voters $80 million bond issue assist implementing business organizations "adopted" 144 community-wide effort channel volunteers, equipment, money part-time full-time job 25. fall off highest declines steadily grades.

Category: 8