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Leake County schools in Mississippi released from decades-long desegregation order
The district met court standards for racial balance after years of monitoring and school consolidations, officials said.
- On Monday, the Leake County School District announced that U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Jordan dissolved the 1969 federal desegregation order on September 3, ending decades of federal oversight.
- The Justice Department monitored the district after a 1963 lawsuit by Black parents, closing two schools in 2011 to address racial division; the district then consolidated high schools this year due to a 19% enrollment decline since 2015-16.
- Leake County is the third Mississippi district released from such oversight in two years; 27 districts remain under desegregation orders. Under President Donald Trump, the Justice Department has shown increasing willingness to release school districts from these orders.
- Superintendent Will Russell called the dissolution positive and said it provides flexibility, while former superintendent Monte Ladner agreed the district had little choice but to comply historically and now welcomes the change.
- Russell expressed confidence the district will maintain progress without federal oversight, stating, "We're in a good place to keep it going and make sure we're equitable across the board with student achievement.
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DeSoto County News
DeSoto County NewsLeake County schools released from decades-long desegregation order
Will Russell, superintendent of Leake County School District, speaks during a meeting of the House Select Committee on Consolidation at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left6Leaning Right2Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Left
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Left
60% Left
L 60%
C 20%
R 20%
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