Document: 402 U.S. 33 91 S.Ct. 1289 28 L.Ed.2d 577 Birdie Mae DAVIS et al., Petitioners,v.BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS MOBILE COUNTY al. No. 436. Argued Oct. 13—14, 1970. Decided April 20, 1971. Syllabus East of the major highway that divides metropolitan area Mobile, Ala., live 94% area's Negro students, and schools there are 65% 35% white. West 12% 88% The Court Appeals approved a desegregation plan which, like District Court's plan, insofar as those areas were concerned, treated western section isolated from eastern, with unified geographic zones providing no transportation students for purposes. Though some reduction in number all-Negro was achieved 1970—1971 school year, nine elementary eastern (attended by 64% all pupils area) over 90% Negro, half junior senior high went to or nearly schools. With regard faculty staff ratio each Mobile County's schools, directed require board establish 'substantially same' whole district. Held: 1. decision dealing is affirmed. Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board Education, 401 1, at 19—20, 1267, 1277—1278, 554. P. 35. 2. erred treating part isolation rest system, not adequately considering possible use available techniques achieve maximum amount practicable desegregation. 38. 430 F.2d 883 889, affirmed reversed remanded part. Jack Greenberg, New York City, petitioners. 1 Erwin N. Griswold, Sol. Gen., United States. 2 Abram L. Philips, Jr., respondents, Bd. School Commissioners County others. 3 Samuel Stockman, respondents Council Parent-Teachers Assn. 4 [amici curiae information intentionally omitted.] 5 Mr. Chief Justice BURGER delivered opinion Court. 6 Petitioners this case challenge inadequate County, Alabama. county large populous, embracing 1,248 square miles city Mobile. system had 73,500 beginning 1969 academic year; approximately 58% white 42% Negro. During 1967—1968 transported 22,000 daily 200 buses, both rural outlying 7 present evolved one developed response Fifth Circuit Davis Comm'rs, 414 609 (CA 1969), an earlier formulated on basis 'constitutionally insufficient unacceptable, such must be redrawn.' held 'ignored unequivocal directive make conscious effort locating attendance desegregate eliminate past segregation.' Id., 610. 8 responded new zoning which left 18,623, 60%, system's 30,800 children 19 On appeal, reviewed aspects County. Additional requested regarding plans parts county, approved. They before us now. concluded respect 'almost totally failed comply' orders, entire 883, 886. We affirm Appeals' reasons given 9 Regarding implementation intended seven remaining under scheme. This through pairing adjusting grade structures within without bus split zoning. then turned difficult problem desegregating divided norht-south highway. About east side between it River. west highway, however, Under area, sections distinct, either interlocking across Not surprisingly, easy section, but 12 serving area. 10 rejected solution favor modificed version submitted Department Justice. As further modified after second reduced six projected serve 5,310 about 50% Like based eastern. There zones, purposes pairing, rezoning, section. yet modifications material here, into effect year. 11 enrollment figures year show projections its inaccurate. actually implemented, September 21, 1970 (instead projected), they housed 7,651 Moreover, indicate 6,746 half, attending rather than none Appeals. These derived report Court; brought our attention supplemental brief petitioners filed October 10, 1970, have been challenged respondents. we held, 'neighborhood zoning,' whether strictly home-to-school distance 'unified zones,' only constitutionally permissible remedy; nor per se adequate meet remedial responsibilities local boards. Having once found violation, district judge authorities should every greatest degree actual desegregation, taking account practicalities situation. A court may consider including restructuring contiguous noncontiguous zones. See Swann, supra, 22—31, S.Ct., 1279—1283. measure any effectiveness. 13 record us, clear felt constrained treat consideration For these reasons, reverse judgment student assignment, remand development decree 'that promises realistically work, work now.' Green Board, 391 430, 439, 88 1689, 1694, 20 716 (1968). 14 It so ordered. 15 Affirmeed

Category: 1