Milford chronicle., 1955-08-26
School Board GiUes
Policy On IntegratiOn
fContinued from first page)

ton of their own construction be-
fore facilities are available, al
though an integration plan was
adopted there last year;
To Begin Planning
Middletown: Indefinite boundary
lines make it impossible now, but
all school boards and community
organizations will be invited TO be-
gin planning; Christiana. Over
crowding. Odessa, impossible be-
cause of inadequate facilities.
Kent County: The Dover School,
which began integration last year,
will continue it, and is the only
Kent school which so replied.
Other Kent schools said:
Smyrna: Plans a series of bi-ra-
cial public meetings to discuss the
issue; Frederick, planning public
meetings; Milford, over-crowded
buildings and need for REDEEMED
boundaries make integration this
year impossible; Magnolia, needs
new facilities, and citizens are not
ready for integration; FELTON,, re-
Tic educational program to establish
a favorable opinion; Caesar Rodney,
needs time for study but plans an
orderly attack on the problem of
racial Understandings; Houston, no
plan, community education needed.
Sussex County
In Sussex County no school sub
mitted any plans but one, Rehoboth
Beach, said 1t would be willing to
start integration in the first grade,
adding one grade each year after
boundary lines are REDEEMED.
The other Sussex County schools
which replied said:
Lord Baltimore, social pressure,
geographical location makes inte-
grafton unwise at present; John M.
Clayton, over-crowded conditions.
plus unfavorable public opinion
and danger of upheaval make it i'm
possible 20 plan for integration;
Blades, not feasible at this time;
Greenwood. no feasible plan now
because public poll showed COM
munity in favor of segregation;
Milton, facilities presently filled,
recent public poll of both Negro
and white residents favored status
quo; Laurel, asks postponement of
any plans because of inadequate
facilities; Georgetown, insufficient
time for any plan, but an advisory
citizens committee and public in
formation program are planned;
Lewes, no plan. will appoint lay
committee, adding that the district
intends to carry out the mandate
of the Supreme Court and the State
Board. but feels premature action
will serve no useful purpose.
Gumboro. all available facilities
Millsboro. no plan;
Bridgeville. would like to have
of the tax burden.
of administrative re-
sponsibility within the district; Sea-
ford, too much local feeling against
any action; Selbyville. joint meet
ing of all school boards showed
conditions because of
incomplete construction in two
buildings: second meeting is set
for October 10.
Glendale, refers to recent public
poll against inteeration, needs
buildings and eouipment: Roxanna.
requests state board to give public
course on the problems: not feasible
to submit anv plans now.
Not Replying
The seven school which did not
reply. and which were named in the
boards policy statement, are: Eden,
Clayton. Hartly, Kenton,
Delmar. and Lincoln.
The boards newest statement on
policies said:
'The reports received by the State
Board of Education have indicated
that. a number of schools have
either completely integrated or have
on a program of integra
ton, which in the oninion of the
board would meet with the prnvis-
ions of the decree of the Supreme
Court of Nav 81. 1855.
"Some of the reports which have
been received from the districts in
dictate that the local boards do not
feel that there are adequate school
facilities in such districts TO hermit
at this time. While the
state board realizes that it does not
have the powers of the courts TO re-
uuire integration of such districts.
ii nevertheless feels that there
should be q clear understanding OF
the resnective responsibilities and
duties of the state and local boards.
For that reason ii must reiferate
what il has stated To all local dis
riots previous to this occasion. The
Supreme Court decision requires all
districts to make a nronnt and rea-
sonable start toward full compli-
anca.
'sThe renorts that have been re-
ceived indicate that in some instan-
ces the local districts feel that. ir-|
of the facilities available,
should not take place
at this time because of the sociolog-
ical pressures which might lead to
violence and disruption of the edu-
cational program
Disagreement Not Enough
Again. the state board feels ii
must point out that the Supreme
Court specifically stated that dis
agreement with the opinion is not
an adequate reason for delaying in
tegration. In such districts, a