Document: 433 U.S. 406 97 S.Ct. 2766 53 L.Ed.2d 851 DAYTON BOARD OF EDUCATION et al., Petitioners,v.Mark BRINKMAN al. No. 76-539. Argued April 26, 1977. Decided June 27, Syllabus In this school desegregation case the District Court after an evidentiary hearing held that petitioner Dayton, Ohio, School Board had engaged in racial discrimination operation of city's schools. On basis a 'cumulative violation' Equal Protection Clause court found, which was composed three elements, viz., (1) substantial imbalance student enrollment patterns throughout system; (2) use optional attendance zones allowing some white students to avoid attending predominantly black schools; and (3) Board's rescission 1972 resolutions passed by previous acknowledged responsibility creation segregative called for various types remedial measures, Court, following reversals Appeals more limited remedies, ultimately formulated approved, systemwide remedy. The plan required, beginning with 1976-1977 year, composition each district be brought within 15% Dayton's 48%-52% black-white population ratio, accomplished variety techniques, including 'pairing' schools, redefinition zones, centralized special programs 'magnet schools.' Held: 1. Judged most favorably respondent parents children, Court's findings constitutional violations did not suffice justify finding pupil Dayton schools is homogeneous, standing itself, violation Fourteenth Amendment absent showing condition resulted from intentionally actions on part Board. Washington v. Davis, 426 229, 239, 96 2040, 2041, 48 597. court's as applied high assuming under standards involved, only districting implicated. And conclusion action constituted dubious soundness. It thus demonstrated remedy, effect imposed Appeals, necessary 'eliminate all vestiges state-imposed segregation.' Pp. 413-418. 2. view confusion at stages applicable principles appropriate relief, must remanded Court. ambiguous phrase used both courts below, does overcome disparity between evidence sweeping remedy finally decreed. More specific made, if necessary, record supplemented. Conclusions made light opinions here supra, Village Arlington Heights Metropolitan Housing Development Corp., 429 252, 555, 50 450, fashioned rule laid down Swann Charlotte-Mecklenburg Education, 402 1, 91 1267, 28 554, elaborated Hills Gautreaux, 425 284, 1538, 47 792. like this, where mandatory segregation has long since ceased, it first determined board intended to, fact, discriminate, additional should adduced; shown may there Meanwhile, present remain coming year subject further orders might warrant. 418-421. 539 F.2d 1084, vacated remanded. David C. Greer, petitioners. Louis R. Lucas, Memphis, Tenn., respondents. Mr. Justice REHNQUIST delivered opinion 1 This comes us five years two round trips through lower federal courts.1 Those protracted proceedings have been devoted formulation Education found Amendment. decision now review, Sixth Circuit approved involving districtwide racialdistribution requirements, rejecting previous, less distribution ratio Dayton.2 As formulated, employed 'pairing'3 We granted certiorari, 1060, 782, 775 (1977), consider propriety court-ordered were below. 2 Whatever public notice received wended its way United States Southern Ohio due fact represented effort minority plaintiffs obtain relief alleged unconstitutional said While we would no means discount importance aspect case, think every bit important issues raises proper allocation functions appeals judicial system. 3 Indeed, administration aspects are heightened presence substantive turns. observance division trial appellate case. especially such simply asked render judgment accordance law favor one private party against another; plaintiffs, system large city, restructure 4 There doubt authority grant sort when constitutiona officials proved. Keyes Denver, Colorado, 413 189, 93 2686, 37 548 (1973); Wright Cuncil City Emporia, 407 U.S 451, 92 S.Ct 2196, 33 51 (1972); 554 (1971). But our cases just firmly recognized local autonomy districts vital national tradition. Milliken Bradley, 418 717, 741-742, 94 3112, 3125-3126, 41 1069 (1974); San Antonio Rodriguez, 411 50, 1278, 1305, 36 16 Council U.S., 469, S.Ct., 2206. reason displacement authorities satisfactorily established factual proof justified reasoned statement legal principles. Cf. Pasadena Spangler, 427 424, 2697, 49 599 (1976). 5 lawsuit begun 1972, filed original February 7, 1973. surveyed past conduct affairs Board, 'isolated but repeated instances failure meet mandating integrated system.'4 cited physical during early decades century,5 concluded '(b)oth time (had) elapsed because these practices . foregoing will necessarily deemed continuing policy.' 6 also recently 1950's, faculty hiring racially neutral basis, '(b)y 1963, policy designated 'dynamic gradualism,' least teacher assigned eleven 35 66 entire system.' 1969 teaching staff consisting member. respect pursuant 1971 agreement Department Health, Welfare, 'the became still remains substantially integrated.'6 7 noted Dunbar High 1933 school, taught teachers attended pupils. At permitted liberal transfers, so voluntary. continued exist citywide all-black until closed 1962. 8 Turning recent operations 'great majority' imbalanced that, exception,7 affirmative achieve balance those stated establishment or alteration boundaries site selection construction new additions. considered zones8 district, majority 'optional significance their creation.' somewhat past,9 although none elementary today 'have any significant potential effects terms increased separation,' same cannot zones. Two particular, 'those Roosevelt Colonel White Kiser White, far largest demonstrable past.'10 9 district's 'freedom enrollment' 'been unfairly operated denied transfers race.' Finally newly elected January 3, rescinding resolutions, role played measures. ultimate 'racially cumulatively Clause.' 10 unfortunately free ambiguity. Treated respondents, represent separate relatively isolated petitioners, however, they viewed quite different light. absence 2047, 597 appears districting. Swann, 15, 1275. previously adopted itself questionable validity. 11 acted undo operative regulations affecting assignment pupils other management affairs, cf. Reitman Mulkey, 387 369, 87 1627, 18 830 (1967), repudiated resolution predecessor stating own fault taking earlier date. agree Appeals' treatment action, wherein said: 12 'The question whether appellants' rights inextricably bound up duty take initially took. Hunter Erickson, 393 385, 89 557, 21 616 (1969); Gomillion Lightfoot, 364 339, 81 125, 110 (1960). If duty, then initial violation. becomes cumulative violation, ascertain ipso facto independent Constitution.' Brinkman Gilligan, 503 684, 697 (1974). 13 then, not, cases, imposed. Nor cast upon violation.' realize, course, task factfinding good deal difficult than typically orthodox lawsuit. Findings motivations multimembered bodies necessity difficult, 450 demographic changes resulting concentration occurred purely instead result appeared face invidiously discriminatory easy resolve. 14 accurate say three-part certainly based unduly cautious understanding situation. originally propounded included requirements eliminated, policies classified personnel tailored representative schools.11 portion submitted refused accept without change dealt so-called priorities.' ordered chosen random wishing attend.12 required furnish transportation who chose attend outside area residence. 15 Both defendant appealed order Circuit. supra. That greater length historical circumstances surrounding adoption subsequent resolutions. consideration descriptive vein: reversed having clearly erroneous, adduced before focused 'cumulative' 'amply supported evidence.' Plaintiffs respondents here, cross-appealed contending erred failing make tending show unnecessary pass contentions. 'pass (of resolutions) of' rights. discuss what described 'serious questions' relating assignment, construction, grade structure reorganization, transportation, questions; neither upset nor conclusions law. 17 Thus, over above discussion situation, upheld nonetheless approval modified inadequate, considering scope violations.' specifics remand, admonition eliminate 'all Keyes, 202, 2694; Viewing strongest warrant imposing apparently did. clear mixed community, many either black. more, offend Constitution. Spencer Kugler, 404 1027, 707, 30 723 24, 1280. seems 'fruit poisonous tree,' presently obtains tailoring commensurate violations, going beyond scope. 19 appeal, defined relative clarity; confined precedent, concludes set them aside Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 52(a). decides misapprehended law, reverse errors. Here, conceive neither. vaguely dissatisfied character afforded proceeded institute own, upsetting reversing 20 actually specify did, increasingly strong language opinions, require one-race predominant district. 518 853, 855 (1975). commandment, twice being reversed, observed: 'This reaches reluctant concluson exists feasible method complying mandate number Based plans plaintiff assumption approximately 15,000 regular permanent required.' 22 insensitive indeed nuances reached conclusion. effect, entirely out proportion favorable 23 last word spoken correctness unconstitutionally noted, asserting court. respondents' contentions decision, cross-petitioned certiorari Appeals. Nonetheless, entitled precedents urge grounds lend support actions, addition fall into category. evident making and, evidence. 24 deficiency assignments error respecting rulings remand supplementation necessary. Apart courts, decreed requires addressed specifically mandated stand 25 instance, review (1976), (1977). fashion Swan, 792 power state governmental entities 'is plenary. 'may exercised 'only violation." (Milliken Bradley), 738, (3112), 3124, 1087, quoting 16, 1276, 556-67. See Rizzo Goode, 423 362, 377, 598, 46 561. Once tailor remedy' fit nature extent 744, 3127, 1091. (1267), 566-67.' Id., 293-294, 1544. Austin Independent Dist. States, 990, 991, 517, 603 (1976) (POWELL, J., concurring). 26 races determine business discriminate pupils, teachers, staff. All parties introduce testimony deem appropriate. how much incremental constituted, compared violations. designed redress difference, impact 213, 2699. 27 realize task, easier reviewing phrases finder complex determinations instance. Constitution call for, done implicitly, explicitly, erroneous record, undisputed creating serious problems. constituency attempt comply best ability penalized, find warranted hearings opinion. 29 vacated, cause consistent ordered. 31 MARSHALL took 32 STEVENS, concurring. With caveat relevant intent kind depends primarily objective concerning rather subjective motivation members see 253-254, 2054, (STEVENS, concurring), I join 34 BRENNAN, concurring judgment. reaffirms 'to (i. e., busing) (1973) .' Ante, 410. sufficient contends otherwise. Respondents nowhere argue violations' themselves comprehensive, busing Instead, other, appearing result. amicus curiae, concedes 'three-part order,' Brief Amicus Curiae 21, urges affirm resort record. Under circumstance, do holding 267, 288, 2749, 2761, 745 decided today, 'broad flexible equity powers' unlawful continue unimpaired. turn segregation. Rather, points out, turns 'proper 409. recognizes, particularly ante, 420. Although efforts litigation deserve commendation, plain found. already appropriate, supplemented facts, combined based, evaluated determination, course 'need cannot, close eyes inequalities, flow longstanding segregated 283, 283. 38 broad entered insignificant. solely very indicia emphasized Colo., 207, (1973): 'Plainly, intentional devoid probative value assessing authorities' parts readily conclude blatant, subtle inaction redressed 39 'systemwide impact,' remedy.' once board's created dual system, 'has desegregate 'root branch." 2700. Or, Milliken, 'take steps segregation." Supra, 290, 2762 (quoting 1275, (1971)). A decree accomplish great sensitivity practicalities ever losing sight paramount enforced. mindful 'authority relief,' 410, fully finds. unflinching equitable powers, always conscious individual children stake, right equal protected. 17, Education. After expedited November December 1973, rendered directing plan. App. July 13, certain modifications, proposed appeal Circuit, affirmed 684 (C.A.6 1974). submission interested parties. 70. March 10, 1975, rejected expanded mandate. 73. again directed 'adopt system-wide ..' 853 Upon second 29, whose developed 99. 25, 1976, details 114. affirmed. 1084 case-by-case failures bring compliance requirement. enrolled 10th 11th grades allowed finish announced 'guidelines' followed 'whenever possible' students: '1. Students neighborhood walk-in neighborhoods ratio; '2. transported nearest available school; '3. No period exceeding twenty (20) minutes, miles, whichever shorter.' 104. 'Pairing' designation contrasting exchange program paired period. primary pointed 1888 construed Supreme forbidden children. Rev.Code Ann. § 3313.48 State, 45 St. N.E. 373 (1888). 'Such include buildings race Garfield 1920's, denial blacks access swimming pools 1930's 1940's exclusion, 1938 1948, teams city athletic conference.' 2-3 (footnote omitted). employment nonteaching personnel, observed nonteaching, nonadministrative though occupations rate. concerted few enroll Patterson Co-op School. An zone residents choose wish attend. have' creation. information about contained appendix opinion: Schools Date date 1972-73 Roosevelt/......... 1951 31.5 100.0 (extended 1958) 0.0 54.6 Kiser/............. 1962 2.7 9.8 1.1 provisions: (V) Establishment four science centers approximate existing (VI) Combination unified cooperative areas; (VII) Formation all-city bands, orchestras, choruses; (VIII) Provisions scheduling athletics; (IX) education staff; (X) Utilization Living Arts Center inter-racial experiences art, creative writing, dance, drama; (XI) Creation rumor control, guidance, learning. 36. eliminated provison gave priority residing school's zone.

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