Document: 443 U.S. 526 99 S.Ct. 2971 61 L.Ed.2d 720 DAYTON BOARD OF EDUCATION et al., Petitioners,v.Mark BRINKMAN al. No. 78-627. Argued April 24, 1979. Decided July 2, Rehearing Denied Oct. 1, See 444 887, 100 186. Syllabus A number of students in the Dayton, Ohio, school system, through their parents, brought this action District Court 1972, alleging that Dayton Board Education, State and various local state officials were operating a racially segregated system violation Equal Protection Clause Fourteenth Amendment. After protracted litigation at both trial appellate levels, dismissed complaint, ruling that, although Schools concededly highly segregated, Board's failure to alleviate condition was not actionable absent sufficient evidence racial separation had been caused by own purposeful discriminatory conduct. In Court's view, plaintiffs failed show either purpose or segregative effect, both, with respect challenged practices policies, which included faculty hiring assignments, use optional attendance zones transfer location construction new expanded facilities, rescission certain prior resolutions recognizing responsibility eradicate public schools. The Appeals reversed, holding time Brown v. 347 483, 74 686, 98 L.Ed. 873 (Brown I ), 1954, operated dual it constitutionally required disestablish its effects, discharge duty, consequences together intentionally impact since systemwide import an appropriate basis for remedy. Held : 1. On record, there is no disturbing Appeals' Clause. Pp. 2977-2979. 2. Given fact existed also properly held thereafter under continuing duty effects nature furnished prima facie proof current segregation schools least part official acts. Part affirmative imposed on board obligation take any would impede process disestablishing Wright Council City Emporia, 407 451, 92 2196, 33 51, here engaged many post-Brown actions effect increasing perpetuating segregation. measure board's conduct unsatisfied liquidate effectiveness, purpose, decreasing system. do more than abandon Keyes School Dist. Denver, Colo., 413 189, 93 2686, 37 548; Swann Charlotte-Mecklenburg Bd. Ed., 402 91 1267, 28 554. has see pupil assignment policies abandonment used did serve perpetuate re-establish "heavy burden" showing increased continued important legitimate ends. 537-540. 3. Nor reason fault finding, after remand case Education Brinkman, 433 406, 97 2766, 53 851, current, established. This misuse Keyes, supra, where "purposeful discrimination substantial furnishes inferential finding intent unless otherwise rebutted" "given operate one could infer connection between such other parts system." Columbus Penick, 449, 467-468, 2941, 2952, 666. justified utilizing fulfill trace back purposefully 1950's subsequent acts intentional discrimination. 467-468. 6th Cir., 583 F.2d 243, affirmed. David C. Greer, petitioners. William E. Caldwell, Memphis, Tenn., respondents. Drew S. Days, III, Washington, D. C., United States, as amicus curiae, special leave Court. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered opinion 1 history courts below already resulted judgment 851 (1977) (Dayton ). most recent opinion, 2 [Amicus Curiae Information from Page 528 omitted] States Sixth Circuit approved plan desegregating Ohio. Brinkman Gilligan, 243 (1978). found (1954) "[t]he record demonstrates convincingly defendants have eliminate discrimination" "actually exacerbated existing I." F.2d, 253. We granted certiorari, 439 1066, 831, 59 31 (1979), heard argument tandem now affirm Appeals. 3 * are race. year complaint filed, 43% black, but 51 69 virtually all white black.1 446 F.Supp. 1232, 1237 (SD Ohio 1977). 17, officials2 sought court order compelling desegregation. sustained challenge, determining amounted "cumulative" Id., 1259.3 having limited remedial objectives. 4 violated Amendment affirmed Appeals; twice being reversed ground prescribed remedy inadequate vestiges state-imposed segregation, ordered necessary steps assure each roughly reflect ratio black students. App. Pet. Cert. 103a.4 then 539 1084 (1976). 5 remanded further proceedings. I, supra. light findings regarding liability,5 we concluded warrant imposing Rather, should "determine[d] how much incremental these violations distribution population presently constituted, when compared what absence constitutional violations. must be designed redress difference, only if may remedy." U.S., 420, S.Ct., 2775. view confusion evidenced stages proceedings scope established, permit supplementation specific addressed remedy, id., 418-419, 2774-2775, allowed remain subject orders Court, 420-421, 2775-2776. 6 supplemental evidentiary hearing, undertook review entire anew, entered conclusions law dismissing complaint. support judgment, observed instances past "an inexcusable mistreatment students," F.Supp., 1237, prove over 20 years old effects.6 conceded ruled eyes, Board, schools.7 7 reversed. basic ingredients arriving conclusions, some clearly erroneous respects made errors law. 247. Petitioners contend Appeals, correctly understood facts II A. 8 expressly "at fourteenth amendment," "finding district contrary erroneous." 247 (footnote omitted). before us, perceive petitioners' challenge Appeals.8 9 Concededly, early 1950's, "77.6 percent attended race accounted 90 54.3 assigned four black." 248-249. One Dunbar High School, which, found, established districtwide high all-black principal, remained so up until 1962. 1245. "among" relatively undisputed establishment Garfield elementary school. 1236-1237. two were, similar creation maintenance faculties, designated 1930's, 1940's, I. 249, 250-251. Additionally, specifically 1950 100% white. 1238. 10 These facts, held, clear district, warranted inference "were taken effectuation policy create maintain segregation" among "factors . causing schools." 214, 2700, 548 (1973); 203, 2695; therefore ignored legal significance It ignored, 18, 1277, 554 (1971), assignments establishing existence system;9 inextricably tied motivated student practices." 248. Based responded counter 1954. Thus, "intentional cannot confined distinct area"; they "infected 252. B 11 next even exist quarter century ago, erred widespread time. 12 however, quite right Columbus, 458, 2947-2949, authorized countervailing defendant officials. 211, 2698; Swann, 26, 1281. At trial, three schools, succeeded them, schools; one-race 80% classrooms. " 'Every 1951-52 1963-64 1971-72 still today remains black. Of 25 1972-73, open, and, 1971-72, 1951-52.' 254 (emphasis original), quoting 503 684, 694-695 (CA6 1974). Against background, maintained down filed present case." very least, come forward deny "that composition reflects impact" 258. 13 our cases, decided (1972), effects. Scotland Neck 484, 2214, 75 (1972). compounding original breach direct purpose. But Wright, 460, 462, 2202; Davis Comm'rs Mobile County, 33, 37, 1289, 1291, 577 (1971); Washington Davis, 426 229, 96 2040, 2047, 48 597 As 200-201 n. 11, 2693-2694 11; 28, 1282. "are system," 2948, 'heavy burden' 467, 2205, Green County 391 430, 439, 88 1689, 1694, 716 (1968). 14 never seriously contended fulfilled heavy burden explaining so. Though often put notice omissions,10 "with [counterproductive] exception attempt alter characteristics 1237. far performing "post-1954 actually ended 1951; effectively into 1970's.11 practice strong efforts segregate 1962, opened body. converted children grade assigned. Furthermore, 1954 "optional purposes Clause." 255. erroneous.12 perpetuation Likewise, perpetuated pattern site selection, recited 7, 22 24 built filing opening 90% same appeared additions classroom space Seventy-eight total 86 disturb factual determinations, conclusively C 15 Finally, petitioners interpreted earlier decision requiring respondents individual act precisely patterns segregation.13 results misunderstanding few 458 465-466, 2947 2950-2951; nn. 5, reliance held: 16 "First, extant embraced 'a program affecting portion teachers, facilities' thus, impact. Secondly, post-1954 desegregate contravention obviously defendants' students, zones, structure reorganization Dayton." 258 omitted), 201, 2694. 17 note today, "where rebutted, given 2952. duty—and indeed resulting segregation—to 537; 464-465, 2950; 21, 26-27, 1278, 1281-1282. 18 Because committed prejudicial law, appealed 19 So ordered. REHNQUIST, whom POWELL joins, dissenting. 21 For reasons set out my dissent 666 (1979). join case. Both respective opinions roadmap, subscribe foreseeability test, cavalier treatment causality, false hope rebuttal them here. Little gained another "blow-by-blow" recitation cascade presumptions sweeps away distinction de facto jure haste barely breaks stride "overreading conclusion "dual" wrong conception intent, i. e., mysterious Oliver standard thinks talks lot about really applies. Ante, 2978 9. candidly recognizes case, renders discussion gratuitous anyway. honest stringency judged: "[T]he ' [school] serveimportant ends." 538 added). 23 think point limitation Brother STEWART's perception proper roles judge reviewing courts. That defer factfindings unexceptionable. With aid observation, he concludes insofar agreed there, because upset desegregation casual reading makes primary determinants different cases totally conceptions methodology govern litigation. Judge employ "affirmative duty" test. Violations identify causal relationship conditions He test hold responsible residential impugn neighborhood explanation short, Judges completely ideas required. am sure STEWART agrees, make those requirements clear. demonstrate dramatically hazards presented laissez-faire theory cases. And doubt heavyhanded approach degree explained perceived inequity racial-balance while Dayton.* simple meting equal remedies, means "equal justice law." statistics: 'Enrollment data reveals lack progress integrating 1951-52, 47 38 enrollments per cent (4 34 white). 35,000 pupils Yet half enrolled 77.6 virtual "Virtual schools" refers 1963-64, 64 57 (13 44 57,400 27.8 79.2 88.8 'In (the filed), 49 (21 54,000 42.7 black; 75.9 1972-73 hearing held) 68 (22 white); fully 80 classrooms (Of 50,000 44.6 black). 1978) last litigation, press claims against Only petitioned writ certiorari. major components: first, marked significant effort alter; second, utilization zones; third, previously adopted role pattern. To preserve continuity, exempted academic years. noted evaluate case-by-case deviations target percentage. court, moreover, guidelines followed achieving redistribution: (1) permitted attend walk-in neighborhoods within ratios; (2) transported nearest available school; (3) miles or, traveling distance time, longer minutes. appointed master supervise logistics plan. Certain particulars worked master's report filed. discussed 3, Racial imbalance, se violation, proposing unconstitutional first place 413-414, 2772. liability extended apparently pertained 412, 2771. "[m]any practices, violate 1236. identified practices: 1934, kept separate students; approximately 1950, athletics deliberately race; induced sit rear suffered indignities. Reviewing 1951 segregative. instituted "dynamic gradualism" "by 1969 traces eliminated." 1238-1239. Reasoning predominant factor identifiability faculty, effect. Similarly, plaintiff shown transfers denied protection. instances, satisfactorily demonstrated. fact, itself unconstitutional. proved. school, Dunbar, created 1962 citywide area 1960 though orphans bused nearby "arguably" "objective proof" 1241. looked siting practices. Although 78 95 additions, 26 portable utilized 1972 white, accompanying decisions without rationale "haphazard," refused investigate whether grounds close consolidate others enrollment declined course decreased saved money, facts. hint impermissible 1940's supply services legally housing projects rent projects. violative since, court's origin, adopt place. quarrel general great value deference fact-finding judges. 470-471, 2982, 2983-2984, clearly-erroneous serves well. standard, clear: determine erroneous, sustain not, aside are. performed unavoidable erred. Differing dissenting Brothers, us respect. deprecate relevance factors proving teachers extent overreading Swann. weight Michigan 508 178, 182 1974), cert. denied, 421 963, 449 (1975), "[a] presumption arises establish natural, probable, foreseeable result officials' inaction increase segregation," becomes affirmatively consistent resolute application neutral policies." proposition shifts producing escape judgment; routinely persuasion defendants. course, 2950, type relevant 535. National Association Advancement Colored People community groups, Department Health, Welfare, citizens advisory group appointed; times expressed recognition problem responsibility, ultimately nothing. 1251-1252. Under 1951, mixed surrounding communities ready accept who 182-Ex. By 1969, teacher. post-1951 late 1968-1969 year, 72% 9% disappeared Welfare Title VI Civil Rights Act 1964. error reversing aside. respondent standing bring action. dependent contentions, correct unlawful respondents, standing. allow authorities opportunity warranted, long hearing. doubtlessly appraisal futility attempts board.

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