ST. LOUIS _ A federal judge has barred the Ferguson-Florissant school district from conducting school board elections, ruling that the current political process is stacked against African-American voters.
U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel said that while he does not see evidence of intentional discrimination, there is a more subtle "complex interaction" of political processes that deter black voters from electing the candidates of their choice.
"Rather, it is my finding that the cumulative effects of historical discrimination, current political practices, and the socioeconomic conditions present in the District impact the ability of African-Americans in (the school system) to participate equally in Board elections," the judge concluded in a 119-page ruling issued Monday.
The ruling states that the election system is in violation of the Voting Rights Act.
"As a result, the Court enjoins Defendants from conducting any elections for the District's Board until a new system may be properly implemented," the judge ruled.
The ruling calls for a status conference on Friday to discuss a "remedies briefing schedule" to further address the matter.
Cindy Ormsby, a lawyer representing the district, said she is shocked and confused by the ruling.
"The district is very disappointed in the court's decision," Ormsby said Monday, adding later: "The board was confident. We believed we put on an excellent case."
Ormsby said the ruling only applies to the Ferguson-Florissant district. Missouri law would have to change in order to alter how other school districts vote.
The suit, brought by the ACLU for the Missouri NAACP and three residents, has sought to force an end to at-large School Board elections. It claims the result has been under-representation of blacks on the board of a district where nearly 80 percent of the students are African-American. The plaintiffs say that since the 2000 election, the top choice of white voters was white, and won every time. The top choice of black voters was black, and usually lost.
And they say that current board members are unaware of the district's segregated history and ongoing racial disparities.
ACLU Missouri Legal Director Tony Rothert said Monday the organization is pleased with the ruling.
He said the case highlights there are still state voting methods, including at-large and alternative voting systems, that can cause African American voters to have an unequal voice.
"The legislature might want to look at if it's wise to keep mechanisms in place that tend to dilute the votes of African-Americans," he said.
ACLU lawyers have discussed the formation of election districts or a combination of at-large and district seats as a solution.
