MSS 747 Metropolitan Columbus Schools Committee Records

              H I S T O R Y MSS 747
Metropolitan Columbus Schools
Committee ( Ohio) Records
3 cubic feet
Standard inventory
Collection Synopsis
Provenance: The Ohio Historical Society acquired the Metropolitan
Columbus Schools Committee ( Ohio) Records as a gift of the Com~ it-tee,
through the auspices of the chairperson, Rowland C. W. Brown,
in July 1981. Richard W. Arpi processed the collection in October
1983.
Property rights: The Ohio Historical Society owns the property
rights to this collection.
Copyrights: The committee has dedicated such copyrights as it
possesses in this collection to the public. Consideration of
all other copyrights is the responsibility of the author and
publisher.
Access: This collection is open under the rules and regulations
of the Ohio Historical Society.
Citation: Researchers are requested to cite collection name,
collection number, and the Ohio Historical Society in all footnote
and bibliographic references.
Organizational sketch: The Metropolitan Columbus Schools Commit-tee
( Ohio) was organized in 1976 by representatives of local
oraanizations committed to the ~ eaceful deseareaation of Columbus 4 <
cify schools. At this time, thk class action desegregation suit
of Penick et al. vs. the Columbus Board of Esucation, et al. was
before federal judqe Robert M. Duncan. His decision, handed down
on March 8, 1977, Geclared the Ohio and Columbus boards of educa-tion
liable for illegal segregation and ordered development of a
remedy plan. Anticipating this ruling, the committee began work
to explain the desegregation process and allay public fears, con-fusion,
and violence which might accompany an unexplained,
suddenly implemented desegregation plan.
Among its activities the Metropolitan Columbus Schools Committee
( MCSC) surveyed students and parents to ascertain attitudes
toward desegregation thereby determining which educational pro-grams
would be most effect~ ve. MCSC also conducted summer work-shops
for students in leadership and conflict resolution, and
provided speakers to organizations which wanted to discuss deseg-regation.
In addition the Cooperacing Neighborhoods Program of
MCSC allowed all citizens of Columbus an opportunity to voice
their concerns and to have their questions answered.
The MCSC was governed by a general assembly composed of any
individual, organization, or student wanting to join. A steering
committee of ten to twe; lty,-. fivpe eople implemented and coordi-nated
the policies and p~ g~& s.; of: xcs~ I;' daeatse~ rm ined by the
general assevbly . Task for~~ tpesr forni& d - specific duties as
ON10 HISTORICAL. SOCIETY
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