Garland County Schools Declared Unitary: What It Means for Students

In a significant decision, a federal judge has declared that the seven school districts in Garland County, Arkansas, including the Hot Springs district, are now considered “unitary.” This ruling marks an end to a decades-old desegregation order that had been in place since 1992. But what does this change mean for students, parents, and the community? Let’s break it down.

What Does "Unitary" Mean?

When a school district is declared “unitary,” it means that it has successfully eliminated any racial segregation and no longer requires court supervision to ensure racial balance in its schools. The term stems from desegregation efforts that were put in place after the landmark 1954 Supreme Court case *Brown v. Board of Education*, which ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. Over the years, school districts across the U.S. have been monitored by courts to ensure they were complying with desegregation orders.

In the case of Garland County, a desegregation order had been in effect for over 30 years. During this time, the districts were required to follow specific guidelines that ensured racial diversity and fairness in student enrollment and transfers. However, with the latest ruling from Federal Judge Susan Hickey, the court has determined that the county's school districts have now fulfilled these obligations.

The 1992 Desegregation Order

The desegregation order in Garland County was originally put in place in 1992. The purpose of this order was to address any racial imbalances that might exist within the county’s schools and to ensure that students of all racial backgrounds had equal access to educational opportunities. This meant that the schools had to actively work to maintain racial diversity among their students and staff, and any transfers between schools had to take the racial makeup of the districts into account.

For decades, the districts in Garland County operated under this order. Schools were closely monitored, and legal actions were sometimes required to address any concerns of racial imbalance. However, the county has now reached a point where the courts believe that these measures are no longer necessary.

The Judge’s Decision

In a 35-page ruling, Federal Judge Susan Hickey found that the seven school districts in Garland County, including Hot Springs, have met their obligations under the desegregation order. According to the ruling, after years of litigation and effort from the districts, the schools are now considered unitary. This means that the districts no longer need to follow the court-mandated requirements that were put in place to ensure racial diversity.

This ruling is a major milestone for the county, as Garland County was the last in the state of Arkansas to still be operating under a county-wide desegregation order. With this decision, the county joins others in the state that have already achieved unitary status.

What This Means for Students and Families

With the desegregation order lifted, there are some important changes that students and families in Garland County should be aware of:

1. Freedom to Transfer: One of the key changes is that students can now transfer between school districts without any restrictions based on the racial composition of those districts. Under the desegregation order, transfers were often limited or regulated to ensure that racial diversity was maintained. Now, families have more freedom to choose where their children go to school, regardless of race.

2. End of Court Supervision: The school districts will no longer be under court supervision to monitor racial balance. This means that the districts will now manage their own enrollment policies without the need to report to or be guided by the courts on desegregation matters.

3. Focus on Educational Improvement: With the desegregation order lifted, schools in Garland County can shift their focus more fully to improving education for all students. This may include new programs, curriculum enhancements, or initiatives aimed at boosting student achievement across the board.

A Step Forward for Garland County

The decision to declare Garland County’s schools unitary is a reflection of the progress the districts have made over the years. Judge Hickey’s ruling acknowledges the efforts that the schools have taken to create an environment where students of all races can learn together without the need for ongoing court oversight.

While this is a positive step forward, it’s important to remember that achieving unitary status doesn’t mean that the work is over. Schools will still need to be vigilant in ensuring that all students, regardless of race, have access to equal opportunities. The goal of desegregation was never just about numbers or racial ratios—it was about creating an inclusive environment where every child can succeed. Now, the challenge for Garland County’s schools is to maintain that spirit of inclusivity moving forward.

Conclusion

The decision to declare the school districts in Garland County unitary is a historic moment for the region. After more than three decades under a desegregation order, the county has reached a point where the courts no longer see the need for oversight. For students and families, this brings new freedoms in terms of school choice, while for the districts, it allows them to focus more on enhancing educational outcomes.

As Garland County moves forward, the hope is that this newfound autonomy will lead to even greater strides in providing high-quality education for all students.