Legal Document

413 U.S. 455 93 Supreme Court Reporter 2804 37 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 723 Delores NORWOOD et al., Appellants,v.D. L. HARRISON, Sr., al. Number 72—77. Argued Feb. 20 and 21, 1973. Decided June 25, Syllabus A three-judge District sustained the validity of a Mississippi statutory program, begun in 1940, under which textbooks are purchased by State lent to students both public private schools, without reference whether any participating school has racially discriminatory policies. The number secular schools Mississippi, with virtually all-white student population, greatly increased recent years. Held: 1. Private have right exist operate, Pierce versus Society Sisters Holy Names Jesus & Mary, 268 510, 45 571, 69 L.Ed. 1070 but is not required Equal Protection Clause provide assistance equivalent that it provides regard discriminate on racial grounds. Pp. 461—463. 2. Free textbooks, like tuition grants directed form tangible financial benefiting themselves, State's constitutional obligation requires avoid only operating old dual system segregated also providing aid practice or other invidious discrimination. 463—468. 3. Assistance carefully limited so as prohibitions 'effect' 'entanglement' tests may be confined functions sectarian does substantially promote religious mission those violation Establishment Clause. In this case, however, legitimate educational function cannot isolated from their alleged practices; treatment exerts pervasive influence entire process. Brown Board Education Topeka, Shawnee County, Kan., 347 483, 74 686, 98 873. permits greater degree state than given engage practices. Everson Education, 330 1, 67 504, 91 711, Allen, 392 236, 88 1923, 1060, distinguished. 468—470. 4. Proper injunctive relief can granted implying all receiving textbook restrictive admission direct appellees submit for approval certification procedure whereby apply behalf pupils, affirmatively declaring policies practices, stating religiously identifiable minority students, relevant data. Certification eligibility will subject judicial review. 470—471. 340 F.Supp. 1003, vacated remanded. Melvyn R. Leventhal, Jackson, Miss., appellants. William Atlantic Allain, appellees. Mr. Chief Justice BURGER delivered opinion Court. 1 program 1003 (N.D.Miss.1972). We noted probable jurisdiction, 409 839, 68, 34 79. 2 * Appellants, who parents four schoolchildren Tunica filed class action throughout enjoin part enforcement lending program. complaint certain excluded basis race that, supplying attending such appellees, acting State, provided education. It was thereby impeded process fully desegregating appellants' rights. 3 experienced marked growth As recently 1963—1964 year, there were 17 Catholic schools; total enrollment 2,362 students. these nonpublic 916 Negro, 192 enrolled special retarded, orphaned, abandoned children.1 By September 1970, non-Catholic shools had 155 population estimated at 42,000, white. Appellees do challenge statement, documented brief, 'the creation enlargement (private) academies occurred simultaneously major events desegregation . ..'2 4 This case raise question citizens maintain particular national origins, race, religion authority allow schools. See Sisters, (1925). narrow issue before us, rather, common 33-year-old free children State. dates back 1940 appeal improved facilities Governor legislature. legislature then established purchasing board authorized select, purchase, distribute through first eight grades.3 1942, extended cover high and, codified, authorization remains unchanged. Miss.Code Ann. § 6634 seq. (1942). 5 Administration vested Textbook Purchasing Board, whose members include Governor, Superintendent three educators appointed four-year terms. Id., §§ 6634, 6641. employs full-time administrator its Executive Secretary. Textbooks 'for use courses set up course study adopted acts Legislature.' 6646. For each study, 'rating committee' composed members, id., 6641(1)(d), books approved rating committee publishers price 'be higher lowest prices same being sold anywhere States.' 6646(1). 6 kept central book repository Jackson. 6641(1) (f). send district, years, school4 requisition forms listing available distribution local district sends Secretary, turn forwards Jackson where order routinely filled requested shipped directly school. 7 found '34,000 presently state-owned while 107 all-white, nonsectarian been formed since inception desegregation.' F.Supp., 1011.5 During 1970-1971 held 173,424 books, paid $490,239. annual expenditure replacements new texts approximately $6 per pupil, $207,000 academies, exclusive mailing costs borne well. 8 dismissing stressed, first, scheme motivated desire further segregation having enacted long Court's decision 873 (1954), consequently, occasion policy reason foster development academies. Second, took note 1060 (1968), '(t)he essential inquiry, therefore, we should more stringent standard determining what constitutes context Fourteenth Amendment's ban against denial equal protection law applied First Amendment cases.' 1011. no facts Finally, concluded loans did interfere impede acknowledged duty establish unitary holding Green County School 391 430, 437, 1689, 1693, 716 9 '(d)epriving segment point time necessary establishment maintenance state-wide Indeed, plaintiffs later 1970—1971, continue attract 90% state's educable children. There showing child school, if deprived would withdraw subsequently enroll schools.' 1013. II 10 (1925), role education must yield an privately operated parents' choice. 1971 Term reaffirmed vitality Pierce, Wisconsin Yoder, 406 205, 213, 92 1526, 1532, 32 15 (1972), suggestion present alter our view Pierce. Yet limits. White observed his concurring 'held simply posit (educational) standards, pre-empt requiring attend 239, S.Ct., 1545. 11 fail recognize scope when they urge stake case. made rights undermined denied schools—in words, might laws invidiously classified loan because parens exercised constitutionally protected choice 12 see appellees' affirmed operate; said nothing supposed parochial share largesse, otherwise. never some funds allocated into classification violative one thing say prohibit quite another must, matter protection, receive aid. 13 intimate Clearly, need not. Even church-sponsored nondiscriminatory, absolute negated, least implication, Lemon Kurtzman, 403 602, 2105, 29 745 (1971). Religion Clauses strictly confine assuming, require circumstances—health care example—a could rationally conclude legislative neutrality best achieved withholding assistance. San Antonio Independent Rodriguez, 411 1278, 36 16 (1973). way, interest elevating quality mean grant mandated standards forbidding state-supported That Constitution compel toleration discrimination circumstances support III 14 therefore raises terms may—as policy—provide Appellants assert, fact discriminatory, them derogation consistently decisions enjoining schools.6 legally distinguishable foreclosed prior cases. inuring benefit themselves.7 An inescapable cost expense learning materials. When, here, economic consequence give enterprise; engages practices gives Racial state-operated barred '(i)t axiomatic induce, encourage persons accomplish forbidden accomplish.' Lee Macon 267 458, 475—476 (M.D.Ala.1967). suggest violates merely service benefits discriminatory. basic tool grants, connection distinguished generalized services government others. Moreover, readily sources entirely independent State—unlike, example, 'such necessities life electricity, water, police fire protection.' Moose Lodge Irvis, 407 163, 173, 1965, 1971, 627 (1972). neither nor monopoly procurement textbooks; anyone purchase open market. laid great stress absence appellants 'any accept factual assertion; know record least, determinative factor Mississippi. agree analysis legla consequences uncertainty, permit even precise causal relationship between continued well-being type here involved significant tendency facilitate, reinforce, '(D)ecisions constitutionality involvement adds 51 cent 49 institution.' Poindexter Louisiana Financial Comm'n, 275 833, 854 (ED La.1967).8 18 recurring theme appelees' argument sympathetic one—that sincerely wishes children, end, taken steps insure sub-group important chosen assume sincere welfare But good intentions valid objective serve negate duty. 'The existence permissible purpose sustain impermissible effect.' Wright Council City Emporia, 451, 462, 2196, 2203, 33 sterile promise possible activity shielded altogether scrutiny ultimate end goal. 19 offered finding Mississippi's 'were 1970—71 (and) children.' note, overall statewide attendance figures accurately reflect impact districts.9 event, infirmity significantly aids organization continuation separate which, holding, desire. steer clear, giving institutions now unitary, found, irrelevant. IV placed reliance 711 (1947), v (1968). Everson, New Jersey 'spending tax-raised pay bus fares pupils general pays U.S., 17, 512. following York charge including specified grades. 21 Neither Allen dispositive us Religious 'pursue two goals, instruction education.' supra, 245, 1927. And, tests, assist church-related performing functions, Committee Public Liberty Nyquist, 756, 774, 775, 2955, 2966, 2967, 948; Levitt Liberty, 472, 481, 2814, 2819—2820, 736, substantial Cochran 281 370, 375, 50 335, 336, 913 (1930), importantly properly exercise 22 Like school—even discriminates—fulfills function; difference practices—if exist. Under closes doors defined groups suspect criteria manifests, own actions, processes based belief desirable reasons wholly unrelated individual merit unless artificial barriers considered message communicated admitted. Such bias Constitution, invoke sanction laws, call material 23 Our 'internal tension betwen Exercise Clause,' Tilton Richardson, 672, 677, 2091, 2095, 790 mean, already suggested, obligated 'neutral' transcendent value leaves room 'play joints' extent cautiously delineated governmental despite touches conflicting values indirectly sponsors. 24 contrast, although proscribe bias, places inherent Invidious characterized exercising freedom association Amendment, accorded affirmative protections. And remedial legislation Thirteenth Amendment; Congress unlawful contexts.10 However channel supra; Levitt, system. V 25 At oral argument, expressed concern over prevail merits. aspect presents problems procedural details resolved here. assumption permissible, discriminating obviated necessity court determine 'racially discriminatory' how determination made. construe contemplating program; discriminating, thus foreclosing individualized consideration, appropriate. 26 proper practicing fungible most warrant blanket condemnation. appropriately seeking participation pupils. should, among factors, declare data consistent opinion. would, course, 27 school-by-school cumbersome ascertaining compliance standards. No presumptions flow mere allegations; required, due process, prove law. 28 judgment remanded proceedings So ordered. 30 Vacated 31 DOUGLAS BRENNAN concur result. App. 40—41. Brief 8—9. Norwood Harrison, 1007, (ND Miss.1972). regulation 1970 follows: 'For control hands Education. All requisitions shall him shipments invoiced him. discretion he regulations governing within county, conflict provisions Act.' 'This revised October 14, read 'Public Schools. administration responsibility administrative heads county units, consolidated districts, municipal districts Legislature. transactions carried them. custodians render reports State; place orders .. 'Private programs Board. out Their duties outlined above variation accounted omission kinds making findings. earlier briefs disputed. South Carolina 296 199 (S.C.), aff'd curiam, 393 222, 89 449, (1968); Finance 833 (E.D.La.1967), 389 693, 780 Wallace States, 215, 415, 422 (1967), aff'g 475 (M.D.Ala.). invalidated Coffey, Educational 1389 (S.D.Miss.1969); Coffey S.D.Miss., C.A. 2906, decided Sept. 2, (unreported). latter statute rather grants. Connally, 1150 (DC), sub nom. Coit Green, 404 997, 564, 550 misperceive 'child benefit' theory cases Amendment. See, e.g., Central Dist. 'to schools,' 244, 1926 sense children—not schools—would instances procure 'free make likely choose school,' ibid., just involving various 'surely (religious) bodies otherwise forced find finance services.' 679, 2096, Plainly, children; nevertheless, '(t)hat convert religion.' 664, 2136, (1971) (opinion White, J.). leeway indirect defining 'State arrangement, management, funds, property squared (Fourteenth) command deny person jurisdiction laws.' Cooper Aaron, 358 19, 78 1401, 1410, (1958). Thus author dissenter view, restricted entry grounds extent, unconstitutional. Lemon, 671 n. 2140. Part IV, infra. Accord, Griffin 1178, 1181 (E.D.Va.1969), superseding 239 560 (E.D.Va.1965); supra. reside, response Alexander Holmes 396 90 29, (1969), white withdrawn academy housed church staffed principal teachers system, resigned mid-year jobs academy. District, 323 1019 (N.D.Miss.1970), aff'd, 440 Federal Reporter, 2nd 377 (CA5 1971). filing lawsuit, successor Institute Learning 495 white, attest policy. Similar histories Canton Municipal Separate Amite Indianola Grenada recited, 14—19. Breckenridge, 88, 1790, 338 (1971); Jones Alfred Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 Mayer Co., 409, 2186, 1189 42 Code KF62 2000a (barring accommodations); 2000e employment); 3601 housing transactions).

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