The Denver Board of Education has voted to appeal a federal district judge’s rejection last June of its request that he declare the city’s schools integrated after 12 years of court-ordered desegregation.
In addition, the board also released a strongly worded statement on Nov. 27 reaffirming its opposition to additional busing or mandatory reassignment of students for desegregation purposes.
In a decision handed down on June 3, U.S. District Judge Richard P. Matsch had rejected the board’s request to end his jurisdiction in the 26-year-old lawsuit, Keyes v. School District No. 1. He based his decision on findings that the board had failed to comply fully with provisions regarding faculty assignments and student transfers in the district’s existing desegregation plan.
According to Mr. Jackson, the board filed its notice of appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit last week.
In keeping with its policy against busing, the board also voted last month to offer a plan to Judge Matsch that promises to remedy the effects of segregation in three elementary schools by enhancing their educational programs. Judge Matsch had ordered the board on Oct. 29 to devise a plan for the desegregation of the predominantly minority Barrett, Mitchell, and Harrington elementary schools.--tm
