United States v. The Board of Education of Valdosta, Georgia

In this case our concern is with the existence of several virtually one-race elementary schools in a system that is otherwise fully desegregated. The district court found that Valdosta’s schools had achieved unitary status, and denied the United States’ motion for supplemental relief. We vacate and remand for further consideration.

A desegregation order for the Valdosta, Georgia school system was issued in 1971. Valdosta has complied with this plan, and has in large part successfully eradicated the dual school system that existed prior to 1971. Nevertheless, implementation of the plan has…