Lewis J. Knighton v. The Laurens County School District No. 56 and Charles L. Cummins, Jr.

HARRISON L. WINTER, Chief Judge:

The sole issue on appeal is whether the district court erroneously failed to require defendants to rebut by “clear and convincing” evidence Lewis J. Knighton’s prima facie case that he was a victim of race discrimination violating 42 U.S.C. §§ 1981 and 1983. The district court allowed defendants to rebut by merely articulating a legitimate non-discriminatory justification for Knighton’s dismissal as an elementary school principal, applying the usual Bur- dine 1 sequence of proof, with the ultimate burden of persuasion on the plaintiff. We agree with Knighton…