A federal judge orders Tyler’s schools desegregated
The United States sued the Tyler Independent School District for desegregation on July 15, 1970.
On July 27, 1970, Judge William Wayne Justice ordered the district to give equal educational opportunity without regard to race and to put a federal desegregation plan into effect immediately.
The court declared the district unitary and dismissed the 46-year-old case on August 26, 2016.
Sources
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas: Order Granting Joint Motion for Declaration of Unitary Status, United States v. Tyler ISD, No. 6:70-cv-5176 (Aug. 26, 2016)txed.uscourts.gov
The United States brought this action on July 15, 1970, seeking an order directing desegregation within the TISD.
The Court, the Honorable William Wayne Justice then presiding,1 issued an Order on July 27, 1970
directing the immediate implementation of the then-Department of Health, Education, and Welfare's Plan No. 1.
the TISD is DECLARED UNITARY and this action is DISMISSED.
Checked October 15, 2026. How the cards are filed