Thomas County NAACP appeals segregation case to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

In a recent school desegregation case, the District Court in Thomas County Branch of the NAACP v. Thomasville City School District ruled in favor of the school district after the plaintiffs had presented evidence for over two weeks. The plaintiffs’ evidence included testimony by several expert witnesses, former teachers, former principals, students and their parents, all of which described different facets of racial inequality and segregation in the schools. A legal presumption applied against the school district, but its defense and response to this evidence was mostly general in nature and only amounted to approximately three days of testimony.

Although the District Court ultimately ruled against the plaintiffs, it did find that several inequalities and racial imbalances exist in the Thomasville City Schools. The plaintiffs’ evidence at trial shows these imbalances and inequalities are particularly striking in regard to the assignment of students to elementary schools and classrooms at the middle and high school, as students most often find themselves racially isolated.

In response to these inequities, the Court wrote that many “children are still waiting on the promise of Brown—a promise of educational opportunity for every American. Regrettably . . . , this promise has not been fulfilled for many children who find themselves trapped in an educational system that cannot meet their needs. This Court has no hesitation in finding that the educational system in Thomasville, Georgia . . . is not reaching many students. . . Because of this failure . . . , too many children will never realize their full potential.” Furthermore, “the record in this case establishes that many poor black children in Thomasville, Georgia are not receiving what this Court would consider an adequate education.”

The plaintiffs find it disturbing and unfortunate that, after acknowledging these injustices, the Court did not seek to exercise its constitutional power to redress them. Although plaintiffs’ presented extensive evidence to show that these injustices were the result of both present and past discrimination, the Court found that these injustices were the result of other factors. Consequently, the plaintiffs feel it is necessary for an appellate court to further review the record in this case and ensure that all of the facts are taken into account and proper legal standards are applied to them. They filed their appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit on March 4, 2004.

Education Project