Document: 407 U.S. 484 92 S.Ct. 2214 33 L.Ed.2d 75 UNITED STATES, Petitioner,v.SCOTLAND NECK CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION et al. Pattie Black COTTON al., Petitioners, v. SCOTLAND Nos. 70—130, 70—187. Argued Feb. 29 and March 1, 1972. Decided June 22, Syllabus A state statute authorized creation of a new school district for Scotland Neck, N.C., city that was part the larger Halifax County district, then in process dismantling dual system. The District Court this litigation instituted by United States enjoined implementation as creating refuge white students promoting segregation county. Appeals reversed, ruling statute's impact on county system minimal it should not be regarded an alternative desegregation plan since enacted legislature board. Held: Whether action affecting is initiated or board immaterial, North Carolina State Board Education Swann, 402 43, 91 1284, 28 586; criterion whether furthered hindered carving from having system, proposal would impede may enjoined. Wright Council City Emporia, 451, 2196, 51. Pp. 488—491. 442 F.2d 575, reversed. Lawrence G. Wallace, Washington, D.C., States. 1 Page 485 Adam Stein, Charlotte, Cotton others. William T. Joyner, Raleigh, C. Kitchin Josey, Neck Bd. Ed. others both cases. djQ Mr. Justice STEWART delivered opinion Court. petitioners these consolidated cases challenge authorizing which at time enactment In judgment entered same day its Emporia Wright, 570, decision we reverse today, 51, held erred enjoining district. community about 3,000 persons, located southeastern portion County, Carolina. Since 1936, has been Administrative Unit, comprising entire with exception two towns northern section. 1968—1969 year, 10,655 attended schools whom 77% were Negro, 22% white, 1% American Indian. completely segregated race until 1965. adopted freedom-of-choice produced very 2 486 little actual desegregation. 1967—1968 all four traditionally all-white schools, while 97% Negro 14 all-Negro schools. school-busing used 90% students, race, faculty minimal. 1968, Department into negotiations School to bring county's compliance federal law. An agreement reached whereby undertook provide some fall effect unitary 1969—1970 year. Public Instruction, acting request board, recommended detailed (the Interim Plan) have put every county, left majority only one school. January 1969, after Plan had submitted but before any taken upon it, bill introduced authorize bounded limits approval city's voters.1 3, Chapter 31 1969 Session Laws citizens approved 3 487 referendum month later,2 began taking steps toward beginning separat e 1969. carve out unit 695 399 (57%) 296 (43%) Negro. Under transfer devised newly appointed Education, 360 (350 10 Negro) residing outside applied 44 (all nearby planned use facilities formerly High School, including building leased filed lawsuit against officials, seeking existing schools.3 complaint asked preliminary permanent injunctions 31. Various children, parents, teachers, No. 70—187, permitted intervene plaintiffs. After three-day hearing judges case similar involving created districts neighboring Warren 4 488 preliminarily 31, finding 'the Act application creates promotes County,' furtherthat '(t)he impedes defeats implementing desegregate public opening year 1969—70.'4 further hearings, May 23, 1970, found unconstitutional permanently enforcement. 314 F.Supp. 65. granted certiorari. 404 821, 47, 30 49. did believe separation viewed desegregating because 'severance proposed instead Legislature redefining boundaries local governmental units.' F.2d, 583. This suggests stands footing different But 586, decided case, 'if state-imposed limitation authority's discretion operates inhibit obstruct . disestablishing must fall; policy give way when hinder vindication constitutional guarantees.' Id., 45, S.Ct., 1286. fact special act legisla- 5 489 ture rather than authorities thus no significance. We today attempt officials 'must judged according hinders furthers If court, exercise remedial discretion, enjoin being carried out.' supra, U.S., 460, 2202. concluded 'was interferes ..' F.Supp., 78. Appeals, however, regard escape desegregation, remainder insufficient invalidate 31.' 582. Our review record leads us conclude Court's determination proper inference drawn facts litigation, Appeals. major designated I Instruction. projected enrollment under 2,948 78% implemented, 57% 6 490 remaining 89% traditional racial identities area maintained; retain majority, Brawley school, high just 91% Swann Charlotte-Mecklenburg 1267, 554, said 'should make effort achieve greatest possible degree desegregation,' formulating remedy state-enforced there 'a presumption are substantially disproportionate their composition.' 26, 1281. And 463, 2204 'desegregation achieved splitting single operating 'white schools' 'Negro systems, each within borders, where is, fact, 'white' other 'Negro." disparity composition 'substantial' standard measurement. enthusiastic response among whites board's confirmed what figures suggest: school' area, remain schools.' Given facts, cannot impeding disestablishment existed County. primary argument made respondents 7 491 support those necessary avoid flight' residents private follow complete Supplemental affidavits documenting undergone loss took 1970.5 development cause deep concern respondents, cannot, recognized, accepted reason achieving anything less uprooting See Monroe Commissioners, 391 450, 459, 88 1700, 1705, 20 733. Reversed. Chief BURGER, BLACKMUN, POWELL, REHNQUIST join, concurring result. agree separate tend undermine efforts join result However, dissented p. 471, 2207, feel constrained set forth briefly reasons why distinguish First, operation preclude meaningful operate more 2,200 nearly sector attend virtually 8 492 corporate Neck. predominantly white. Further shifts could reasonably anticipated. real sense, children relatively small continue withdrawal dramatically anticipated Emporia. Second, Neck's seen fulfillment destiny independent entity. county-wide many years; legislation pushed through General Assembly enable own movement prompted solely likelihood change political status municipality. contrast, totally Greensville County; Emporia's ties contractual. When became city, derived pursuant longstanding statutory procedures, legal responsibility providing education longer entitled avail itself facilities. Third, found, undisputed, severance motivated desire create acceptable parents words, designed minimize number attending No shows based earlier 1965 session legislature, surrounding townships, three-to-one majority. It contemplated time. defeated Senate. vote 813 332 favor Of 1,382 registered voters, Negro.3 injunction issued dismissed dealing implement On 19, court ordered implement, certain modifications issuance unreported. supplied updated affidavit Court, showing total start 1971 1972 9,094, 14%

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