A Timeline of Boston School Desegregation, 1961-1985

Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) issued its findingson BSC's open enrollment plan concluded that the program was administeredwith discrimination on the basis of race and color and issued a cease-and-desistorder. 31July 11 BSC submits amendments to Fourth Stage Plan. 32July 20 BOE rejects amendments to Fourth Stage Plan. 33August 16 BOE receives new Fourth Stage Plan amendments. 34August 23 BSC provides additional amendments to Fourth Stage Plan. 35August 31 BOE approves August 23 amendments and releases withheld funds. 36September 21September 28BSC votes 3-2 to abandon plans to integrate the new Lee School in Dorchesterby transferring white students into the school. The Committee was underpressure from parents of Lee School children, who did not want white studentsin the school. 37BOE charges BSC with “trickery, scare tactics, and financial blackmail” for itsreversal on the Lee School integration. The Board votes to withhold $14million in funds and to pursue court action over the matter. 38BOE requests that Attorney General Robert Quinn pursue legal action againstBSC with the goal of securing a court-ordered comprehensive desegregationplan. 39October 25 Annual racial census shows 65-67 segregated schools in Boston. 40October 26November 30BSC sues BOE in Suffolk Superior Court over latest withheld funds. BOE filescounter-suit, alleging that BSC has violated the Racial Imbalance Act, haspurposefully increased and encouraged racial isolation in Boston schools, andhas violated the 14 th amendment. 41The Office of Civil Rights at the Federal Department of Health, Education andWelfare notifies Boston that it may be operating a dual enrollment system inviolation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and risks losing federal funding. 421972JanuaryIn response to the Boston school committee’s announcement that it intended toappoint a new superintendent for the Boston Public Schools, the Citywide31 USCOCR Report at 75.32 Larry Van Dyne, “The issues in Hub School imbalance fight,” Boston Globe, Jul. 11, 1971.33 Nina McCain, “State rejects new Hub plan,” Boston Globe, Jul. 21, 1971.34 Nina McCain, “Hub School panel amends racial imbalance plan,” Boston Globe, Aug. 17, 1971.35 Nina McCain, “Boston School Board offers major imbalance conessions” Aug. 2436 Nina McCain, “State approves Boston school's race balance plan,” Boston Globe, Sep. 1, 1971.37 Nina McCain, “Hub Board Abandons Lee School Transfers,” Boston Globe, Sep. 22, 1971; see also MRC Packet at 14-15.38 Nina McCain, “Hub Imbalance Holds Up $214 Million Aid,” Boston Globe, Sep. 28, 1971.39 Nina McCain, “State moves against Boston School Board,” Boston Globe, Sep. 29, 1971.40 Nina McCAin, “Imbalance schools rising, census indicates,” Boston Globe, Oct. 25, 1971.41 Peter Cowen, “Boston to sue for school money,” Boston Globe, Oct. 25, 1971; see also MRC Packet at 16.42 USCOCR Report at 74; “Ohrenberger denies bias in Hub schools,” Boston Globe, Dec. 1, 197114