Last-Minute Deal Ends 26-Year-Old Dayton Desegregation Case

By Joetta L. Sack

A 26-year-old desegregation dispute in Dayton came to a close last week, after the two sides in the case agreed on a new plan to improve academic programs and school facilities there.

The move, which ends cross-town busing and redirects the money that paid for it to academics, lifted the last remaining desegregation order in Ohio.

Under the settlement, the 20,800-student district will receive $32.3 million from the state over five years. Of that amount, $25 million will be spent to improve facilities, and $7.3 million will be put into a contingency fund for academic improvements...