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THE WHITE HOUSE HIGH PRIORITY WASHINGTON CONF IDENTIAL DETERMINED TO BE AN August 27, 1970 ADMINISTRATIVE MARKING INFORMATION/ACTION E.O. 12065, Section 6-102 Daily Summary -- By MH NARS, Date 1/17/80 School Desegregation MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT On Wednesday (August 27) 66 school districts (in 10 states) which were of particular concern opened. The openings were generally trouble free, but a variety of resistance in districts not yet opened began to crystallize, particularly Black resistance in Hancock County, Georgia, and parts of Florida. Judicial sluggishness and intransigence in two areas of Alabama may portend trouble there in the next week. Today (August 27) 101 school districts (in 12 states) of particular concern are scheduled to open. No districts previously identified to be particularly volatile are involved in these openings. Present and Potential Problem Areas 1. Sparta School District, Hancock County, Georgia This district represents an illustrative example of a complex case of Black resistance, a phenomenon we may encounter with greater frequency in the weeks ahead. The Superintendent has postponed the opening of school until September 18, ostensibly because of the unrest but actually to buy time and to seek advice and assistance. (This places the opening date well beyond the elections next week. ) The Superintendent has appealed to the State Board of Education for a court hearing regarding possible modifications to the present plan and his options if he cannot obtain compliance. Justice personnel on the scene believe the State Board will not cooperate but will sit on the request until after the school board election.