Griffin v. School Bd. of Prince Edward Cty.

Background

A group of Black school children in Prince Edward County, Virginia, sued after being denied admission to white public schools. After this Court’s 1954 ruling that school segregation violated the Constitution, local and state actions led Prince Edward County to refuse to levy school taxes in 1959, close its public schools, and allow a private foundation to operate schools for white children supported by state and local tuition grants and tax credits. Black children were left without formal school from 1959 until 1963 in the county.

Reasoning

The Court asked whether closing the county’s public schools and using public money to support segregated private schools denied the children equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment. Accepting the Virginia courts’ rulings about state law, the Court found that the county’s and State’s actions were taken to avoid desegregation and therefore denied Black children equal protection. The Court held federal courts may enjoin county and state payments and tax benefits that support segregated private schools, and may, if needed, order officials to levy taxes and reopen and operate nondiscriminatory public schools.

Real world impact

The decision prevents a county from avoiding school desegregation by closing public schools and funneling public funds to segregated private alternatives. It authorizes federal courts to stop public funding for segregated schools and to require steps to restore and fund integrated public schooling in the county. The Court emphasized that the era of "deliberate speed" excuses has ended for these children.

Dissents or concurrances

Justices Clark and Harlan agreed with most of the opinion but disagreed that federal courts have power to order the reopening of the county’s public schools.