Document: 391 U.S. 450 88 S.Ct. 1700 20 L.Ed.2d 733 Brenda K. MONROE et al., Petitioners,v.BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS the CITY JACKSON, TENN. al. No. 740. Argued April 3, 1968. Decided May 27, [Syllabus from pages 450-451 intentionally omitted] James M. Nabrit III, New York City, for petitioners. Russell Rice, Jackson, Tenn., respondents. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion of Court. 1 This case was argued with 695, Green v. County School Board Kent County, 430, 1689, 716, and 805, Raney Education Gould District, 443, 1697, 727. The question decision is similar to decided in those cases. Here, however, principal feature a desegregation plan—which calls its adequacy effectuate transition racially nondiscriminatory system compliance Brown Education, 349 294, 75 753, 99 L.Ed. 1083 (Brown II)—is not 'freedom choice' but variant commonly referred as 'free transfer.' 2 respondent Commissioners City located midwestern Tennessee. school district coincides city limits. Some one-third city's population 40,000 are Negroes, great majority whom live central area. has eight elementary schools, three junior high two senior schools. There 7,650 children enrolled system's about 40% whom, over 3,200, Negroes. 3 In 1954 Tennessee by law required racial segregation public Accordingly, five one were operated 'white' school, 'Negro' Racial extended all aspects life including faculties staffs. 4 After 347 483, 74 686, 98 873, I), declared such state-imposed dual systems unconstitutional, enacted pupil placement law, Tenn.Code § 49—1741 seq. (1966). That continued previously pupils their assigned schools vested local boards exclusive authority approve assignment transfer requests. No white any under statute granted only seven applications Negro enroll 1961 four 1962. March 1962 Court Appeals Sixth Circuit held that inadequate 'as plan convert biracial into nonracial one.' Northcross Memphis, 302 F.2d 818, 821. 5 January 1963 petitioners brought this action District Western complaint sought declaratory judgment operating compulsory segregated system, injunctive relief against maintenance an order directing admission named plaintiff children, requiring formulate plan. ordered directed file A duly filed and, after modifications court incorporated, approved August be effective immediately gradually four-year period 221 F.Supp. 968. 6 modified provides automatic living within attendance zones drawn or officials along geographic 'natural' boundaries 'according capacity facilities (school) buildings * *' zones. Id., at 974. However, also 'free-transfer' provision which ultimately bring Court: Any child, he complied requirement register annually his zone, may freely another choice if space available, zone residents having priority cases overcrowding. Students must provide own transportation; does operate buses. 7 By terms first applied year operation petitioners, joined 27 other moved September 1964 further Court, alleging had administered discriminatory manner. At time, remained Negro; 118 scattered among formerly all-white hearing evidence, found respects indeed fashion. First, it systematically denied children—specifically intervenors—the right all-Negro where students majority, although seeking transfers been allowed transfer. constitutional violation, see Goss 373 683, 83 1405, 10 632, well violation itself. 244 353, 359. Second, Board, drawing lines zones, gerrymandered exclude residential areas include farther away. 361—362. 8 same proceeding proposed Jackson Tigrett, Merry, school. As retained identities, did have child otherwise allwhite student body. staffs respective segregated. Petitioners objected on grounds, arguing they because so assign Merry Tigrett alternatively event reorganize basis. Petitioners, through expert witnesses, urged adopt 'feeder system,' used method assigning whereby each would draw specified groupings could made assure integrated bodies due regard educational administrative considerations building proximity 9 sustained allegations gerrymandered, saying 'Tigrett (white) western section, (Negro) section eastern section. defendants would, generally, allocate Jackson. follow major streets highways railroads. According maps, there considerable number southern part middle northern parts zone. location approximate east-west line makes inevitable divide north south. While appears natural important zoning highs appear will discriminated against.' F.Supp., 362. 11 recommended concluded simply 'there no particular adopted.' Ibid. affirmed except issue faculty desegregation, remanded proceedings. 380 955. We certiorari, 389 1033, set oral argument following supra. Although presented petition certiorari concerns application necessarily implicated since transfer' extends levels. 12 principles governing determination Board's responsibility announced today Tested clearly inadequate. Three years followed Court's approval Yet Junior High still completely 1967—1968 year, enrolling some 640 pupils, 80% students. Not 'considerable zone' aspect chose stay Merry. Every exercised option out seemingly experience reverse. Of mentioned body 819; apparently go elsewhere. Only presents different picture; there, 135 compose How many transferred appear. mirrors Thus until attended enrolled, few (in 781) 160 682). 13 accurately predicted early 1963: 14 'In numbers ratio approximately 40—60. figure is, somewhat misleading measure extent integration actually occur Because homes concentrated certain city, unitary zoning, even prepared without consideration race, result concentration heretofore Moreover, tendency accentuated exercise *.' 971. (Emphasis supplied.) 15 Plainly, meet respondent's 'affirmative duty take whatever steps might necessary discrimination eliminated root branch.' supra, U.S., 437—438, S.Ct., 1694. dismantling can end achieved. And manifestly, achieved here nor lower courts promise meaningful progress toward doing so. 'Rather than ('free transfer') burden parents II placed squarely Board.' 441—442, 1696. chosen achieving minimal disruption old pattern evident long delay making effort whatsoever desegregate, deliberately manner checked 16 attendance-zone view way capable producing But permitted number' least return, implicit invitation comfortable security old, established pattern. Like provisions invalid 1408, '(i)t readily apparent (provision) lends itself perpetuation segregation.' we indicated plans circumstances valid, explicitly stated 'no official consequence stand Fourteenth Amendment.' 689, 1409. So here; attempt justify device designed 'legitimate problems,' ibid.; rather patently operates allow resegregation races geographically Respondent's reveals purpose. frankly told Brief apprehended flee altogether. 'But should vitality these cannot yield disagreement them.' II, 300, 756. 17 do hold place like choice,' shown conversion unitary, nonracial, unacceptable. See 439—441, 18 conclude, therefore, 'must new light courses open fashion realistically promptly just schools.' 442, 1696.* 19 vacated insofar proceedings consistent our It ordered. Remanded. imply agreement conclusion 'it note record now stands, petitioners' feasibility challenge alternative reasonably available abolish

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