TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — A desegregation order for Southern Arizona's largest school district has officially ended.
A U.S. District court judge ordered the matter closed Tuesday, July 19th. Court documents show the judge is confident Tucson Unified School District will continue to integrate schools and solidify equity among students.
In 1974, African American and Mexican American students alleged the district was intentionally segregating them and discriminating against them. Two students, Roy Fisher and Maria Mendoza were chosen as class representatives for those groups of students.
A judge issued the initial desegregation order in June of 1978. A district court approved the proposed desegregation plan and settlement agreement in August of that same year.
The district operated under the approved Unitary Status Plan for 20 years.
In 2008, a district court ended its oversight of the case, but after appeals the order was reinstated.
In the July 19 ruling, District Judge David Bury recognized that the district has "attained and is operating in unitary status."
The court dissolved the 1978 Stipulation of Settlement, but not the unitary status plan or its orders that have addressed certain parts of the USP.
This new ruling ends court oversight of the 44-year-old case and turns full responsibility for maintaining unitary status over to Tucson Unified and its governing board.
KGUN 9 reached out to the Tucson Unified School District regarding this matter. They provided the following statement.
Yesterday’s court order formally recognized the good faith effort, and success, that our district has exhibited over the years in addressing the vestiges of past segregation, and most importantly, the order relinquished supervision, control, and authority by the court over the Tucson Unified School District and returned full control and authority to our duly elected Governing Board. Our administration and district community are proud of the work we do every day to ensure we remain committed to the principles of equity and opportunity for every child and young person in the district and will continue our commitment to this important work under the direction of TUSD Governing Board.
Dr. Gabriel Trujillo
Tucson Unified School District- Superintendent
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Denelle Veselik is an anchor and investigative reporter for KGUN 9. It's been her dream to tell your stories for the past decade. She is extremely curious and wants to continue to use her storytelling for the greater good. Share your story ideas and important issues with Denelle by emailing denelle.veselik@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram and X/Twitter.
