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PAGE 12—JUNE, 1965—SOUTHERN SCHOOL NEWS LOUISIANA HEW Approves ‘Statement Of Policy’ In Place Of Regular Compliance Form NEW ORLEANS T ouisiana’s “statement of policy,” issued in lieu of com pliance with federal nonsegrega tion requirements, was accepted by the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare in mid-May, permitting continued federal financial aid to state col leges, trades and special schools, and to local school districts com plying with the federal regula tions. Exact date of HEW’s approval is un known here. First word of it was an nounced May 17 by U.S. Rep. Hale Boggs (D-La.). The U.S. Office of Education released its announcement May 20. Louisiana’s was the 44th state education agency whose document pertaining to compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was accepted by the federal authorities. Approval of the Louisiana statement followed by some two weeks a clarifi cation of the original statement issued by the State Board of Education March 1. At that earlier date, the board said it would administer without regard to race federal funds allocated to any local school district or state education program which met the federal re quirements. Supplementary Statement In a supplementary statement May 6, issued after a round of conferences with federal education officials, the State Board of Education said: “This addendum is required for the purpose of clarifying the legal rela tionship between the State Board of Education and the educational insti tutions under its control and jurisdic tion. Most of the colleges and univer sities, vocation-technical schools and special schools are created by special acts of the Louisiona legislature desig nating each as a Negro or white insti tution. The Louisiana State Board of Education does not possess the legal authority to supersede or alter the acts of the legislature, nor does it wish to imply that such can be done. “In keeping with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the rules and regulations of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, the Louisiana State Board of Education will receive and distribute federal aid and-or funds to state colleges and uni versities, parish and city school boards, vocational-technical schools and spe cial schools that qualify for federally- financially assisted programs.” The addendum indicated the status of segregation-desegregation at insti tutions under its jurisdiction as fol lows: Desegregated colleges and universi ties, all of which have submitted com pliance documents to HEW—Louisiana Polytechnic Institute, McNeese State College, Nicholls State College, North east Louisiana State College, North western Louisiana State College, Southeastern Louisiana College, Uni versity of Southwestern Louisiana, Southern University (main campus at Scotlandville and branch at New Or leans) . Subsequently Grambling Col lege (for Negroes) was ordered de segregated by a federal court clearing the way for it to comply, which was promptly done and acknowledgement received from HEW. (See In the Col leges.) Vocation-Technical Schools Desegregated vocation - technical schools: Florida Parish Vocational School at Greensburg, T. H. Harris School at Opelousas, Jefferson Parish Trade School at Gretna, Jefferson Da vis Vocational-Technical School at Jennings, Natchitoches Trade School, Shreveport Trade School, Southwest Louisiana Vocational-Technical School at Crowley, Sowela Technical Institute at Lake Charles, Sullivan Memorial Trade School at Bogalusa, Teche Area Vocational-Technical School at Lafay ette. Vocational-technical schools with de segregation cases pending in federal court: Avoyelles Vocational-Techni cal School at Cottonport, Baton Rouge Vocation-Technical school, Bienville Trades School at Ringgold, Capital Area Vocational School (for Negroes) at Baton Rouge, Central Area Trade School (for Negroes) at Natchitoches, Concordia Parish Trade School at Fer- riday, Delta Area Vocational School (for Negroes) at Monroe, Gulf Area Vocational-Technical School at Abbe ville, Huey P. Long Memorial Trade School at Winnfield, Memorial Area Vocational School at New Roads, North Louisiana Highlights The U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare approved Louisiana’s statement of policy on compliance with the Civil Rights Act. “Operation Head Start” in New Orleans was narrowly approved after a controversy over federal re quirements for teacher and pupil desegregation. Two school systems will have new superintendents to cope with their desegregation problems. Grambling College (for Negroes) will accept its first white students in June and the Louisiana State Uni versity medical school at New Or leans will enroll its first Negro stu dent in the fall. Legal attacks on segregation in state trade schools and in 10 school districts were pressed in federal court. Central Area Vocational-Technical School at Farmerville and Northeast Louisiana Vocational School at Winns- boro, Northwest Louisiana Vocational- Technical School at Minden, Opelousas Area Vocational School, Orleans Area Vocational School (for Negroes) at New Orleans, Ouachita Valley Voca tional-Technical School at West Mon roe, Sabine Parish Trade School at Many and South Louisiana Trade School at Houma. The court subse quently ordered all 18 trade schools desegregated. (See Legal Action.) Special schools with desegregation suits now pending in federal courts: Louisiana State School for the Blind at Baton Rouge, Louisiana State School for the Deaf at Baton Rouge, Louisiana State School for Spastic Children at Alexandria, Louisiana State School for Blind Negroes and Louisiana State School for Deaf Negroes at Baton Rouge. Louisiana also joined in the effort by Southern governors to counter rules laid down in May by the U.S. Office of Education requiring acceleration of school desegregation processes. Gov. John McKeithen met in Washington with chief executives of other South ern states to protest the “confusion” created by the requirement that local schools, to qualify for federal aid, must desegregate at least four grades by next fall and complete the process by 1967. The governors protested that HEW was exceeding its authority un der the civil rights act, which sets no such minimum requirements. The governors planned to work through their congressional delegations to secure a revision of the HEW re quirement. Gov. McKeithen named U.S. Rep. Joe Waggoner to serve as his liaison man in this approach to HEW. ★ ★ ★ The Orleans Parish School Board gave “Operation Head Start” a 43-2 vote of approval after the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity demanded In the Colleges supplementary assurance against seg regation, which some members of the board said exceeded federal court re quirements under which the local schools desegregated. Board President Louis G. Riecke re fused to sign the supplemental contract with Total Community Action Inc., the local poverty program agency, saying: “This is a step in future dictation on how to conduct a school system. The more dependent we get on federal funds . . . the more Washington will tell us what to do.” The contract was signed at the board majority’s direction by Vice President Matthew B. Sutherland, who stressed he was doing so “only in a ministerial capacity, because I am going to vote against the signing of the contract.” At stake was the Orleans Parish pro ram designed to give pre-school train ing to some 43,500 culturally deprived children who will enroll in kinder garten this fall. The program is fi nanced by a $385,555 federal grant and $46,000 worth of local services and fa cilities. School Board attorney Samuel I. Rosenberg said he had discussed the contract with the Washington office of OEO and was told there would be no waiving of the requirement that “there shall be no recruitment, selection or assignment of children or staff, result ing in segregation or discrimination.” No ‘Forcible Segregation’ However, Rosenberg said, OEO chief counsel James Heller had said he did not interpret that provision as requir ing “cross busing” of children to achieve a racial mix, only that the pro gram would not be conducted in such a way as to result in “forcible segrega tion” or “in actions intended to achieve segregation.” Board President Ricke said, “With 80 per cent of the participants in ‘Project Head Start’ being Negro’ I don’t see how we can possibly hire and recruit on an exact integrated basis.” In support of the contract, board member Lloyd Rittner said that during his eight years of service on the board, the schools here have always been short of money. “I intend to make use of every dollar we can get from a legitimate source for the public education of the chil dren in this parish, Negro or what ever.” Board member Victor Hess said that while the school board must control the policies of the public schools, this program was entirely voluntary. “As I read the Civil Rights Act of 1964,” said Hess, “the congress made a policy that no federal funds be given to a state where the funds would be distributed on a discriminatory basis ... I feel we will not have to engage in activities we have not planned for.” Dr. Andrew Rinker said, “We must stop thinking in legal innuendos and think of the children. Remember, every fourth adult in the state is illiterate.” ★ ★ ★ Two new Louisiana school superin tendents will begin coping with school desegregation problems next fall. They Orleans Board as Nondiscrimination Document Is Signed Supt. O. Perry Walker, Dr. Andrew Rinker, Matthew Sutherland (holding pen in air), Chairman Louis Riecke (who refused to sign supplement to contract for “Op eration Head Start”), Lloyd Rittner, Victor Hess Jr. (See Schoolmen.) are Dr. Carl J. Dolce, who will become superintendent of Orleans Parish schools, and Dr. Alfred T. Little, who was named superintendent of Jefferson Parish schools. Both men assume office July 1. Orleans Parish schools have been desegregated since 1960 with the process moving along at two grades per year henceforth. Jefferson Parish LITTLE DOLCE schools, under court order, will begin the desegregation process in Septem ber. Dr. Dolce will succeed Supt. O. Perry Walker who will retire June 30 after having headed the Orleans public schools during four years of transition from segregated to desegregated schools. Supt. Walker has served the Orleans Parish schools for some 30 years. Dr. Little will replace Supt. Paul J. Solis who, upon the death of the pre vious superintendent, accepted the po sition on an interim basis until June 30. Dr. Dolce, 36, is a native New Or leanian, educated in the Orleans public schools and at two local universities. He taught in the public school system here from 1948 to 1955; was principal of local schools from 1955 to 1963 when he went to the Harvard University Graduate School of Education as a re search associate and lecturer. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Tulane Uni- bersity, a master’s degree in education from Loyola University and the doc torate degree in education administra tion from Harvard. Dr. Dolce was se lected for the post by a school board committee from among 23 applicants for the job, 12 of them local men. Dr. Little will come to Jefferson Parish from Borger, Texas, where he has served as superintendent for the past 10 years. ★ ★ ★ Desegregation of workshops for principals and teachers is expected to Two More Colleges To Desegregate Two of Louisiana’s three remaining “one race” institutions of higher learn ing will be desegregated in subsequent school terms. The Louisiana State University Medi cal School at New Orleans disclosed May 20 that it had accepted a Negro student for enrollment in September. Grambling College, a Negro institution, has been ordered by a federal district court to accept white students. Gram bling President Ralph Jones told Southern School News about eight white persons had applied to enroll for the summer term beginning June 10. Of the 14 separate campuses oper ated by the state, only Louisiana State University at Alexandria has not en rolled pupils on a desegregated basis thus far. Dr. Robert L. Simmons, associate dean of the LSU medical school and chairman of the admissions committee, said the 20-year-old Negro male stu dent accepted for fall enrollment was one of eight Negro applicants. The medical school will enroll 140 first- year students, chosen from more than 500 applicants. The Negro applicant was accepted, Dr. Simmons said, after going through the same application routine that ap plies to all students. This means that the Negro student, presently a senior at another Louisiana university, has maintained a B-minus grade average, has passed standardized national tests, and was personally interviewed by medical school enrollment personnel. Dr. Simmons said the other Negro applicants were not accepted and some were not even called for interviews, because their grades did not come up to minimum requirements. He stressed that the Negro applicants were judged on the same basis as all other appli cants. Name of the accepted Negro student was not disclosed because, Dr. Sim mons said, it is the policy of the school not to release the names of any of the students accepted prior to their actual enrollment. Furthermore, he said, “The young man who has been accepted has told us he is not interested in public notice or publicity. He has said that he wishes to be judged only as a stu dent. He has further told us that he has no desire to be leader of any fiery cause.” The full term will not mark the first time Negroes have attended classes at the LSU medical school. “In the past,” said Dr. Simmons, “we have had students studying for their doctorate, master’s degrees and nurs ing diplomas attend classes here. How ever, this will mark the first time we have ever accepted a Negro student in our medical degree curriculum.” ★ ★ ★ A. P. Tureaud, New Orleans Negro attorney and chief counsel in Louisi ana for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, delivered the com mencement address and received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Notre Dame Seminary at New Orleans May 27. Spokesmen for the seminary which trains Catholic priests for the archdiocese of New Orleans and other Louisiana dioceses, said Tureaud was chosen for the honor as exemplifying the church’s eternal counsels of justice and charity. be the result of a resolution passed May 24 by the Orleans Parish School Board. The resolution authorized the school staff to conduct meetings and in-service training programs in any manner “deemed by them to be in the best in terest of the school system and the children it serves.” The resolution was adopted in re sponse to a March 22 request of the Negro Orleans Principals Association that all professional activities be de segregated. The board also adopted a resolution instructing that “white” and “colored” signs be removed from all facilities on school property. ★ ★ ★ Conversion of a white junior high school to Negro use in face of spread ing desegregation next fall is under consideration by the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board. The matter was taken up. according to the Baton Rouge State Times, in a closed door session May 13. No men tion of the possible conversion of Baton Rouge Junior High School to a Negro junior high was made during the open meeting of the board. “Regarding Baton Rouge Junior High,” the State Times said. “Acting Supt. Robert Aertker reportedly told boardmen that ninth grade classes in junior high schools will be subject to integration in the 1966-67 school year. Negro enrollment at Baton Rouge Jun ior High could run as high as 300 at that time, he said.” “Conversion of the facility would re lieve crowded conditions in Negro schools in that general area of th e city,” Aertker reportedly said in the closed meeting. “The possibility that the school might be purchased for use by the city-parish government is also under consideration, however, and the future of the school is apparently still uncertain.” ★ ★ ★ A “co-institutional” senior high school is planned to replace the Lincoln Negro High School in Jefferson Parish school system, which is under court order to desegregate in the fall. A “co-institutional” school is described as one providing separate buildings rot boys and girls on a common site with some shared facilities. The Jefferson Parish School Boar on May 5 authorized purchase o 14.88 acres of land at the appraised price of $99,735 for the new school to be located at Marrero, where Negro pupils two months ago staged noisy protests against conditions of the Lm coin school. ★ ★ ★ The Lafayette Parish School Boart^ under court order to desegregate schools next fall, began considers in May of a parish-wide one per c sales tax proposal to finance a teac pay raise and capital outlays. ^ “If we do not pass a sales tax. Acting School Supt. Charles D e “we will have a very difficult pro by next year; and after that we ■will not have the room in whic place our students.” Earlier this year, the board won * proval of an $825,000 bond issue, ^ maximum possible under existing resources. . ir j ce Also in Lafayette, Bishop n0 Schexnayder said there would ^ ^ immediate announcement of P jfLfls. desegregation of Catholic sc Bishop Schexnayder has said dj 1 ^ past that parochial schools wo ^ desegregated when public schoo s of ★ ★ ★ Catholic schools in the cli° ce ^^. orl Baton Rouge will begin desegre (See SEGREGATION. Page l4)