A 60-year-old desegregation case involving the Tangipahoa Parish School System has officially ended.
According to a statement issued by the Tangipahoa Parish School System, the case, which started in June 1965, ended Thursday when a judge granted the district complete unitary status.
The school system has invested millions of dollars and years of work to meet the requirements of the desegregation order, including equitable funding, staffing and student-to-teacher ratios.
The case goes back to 1965 when Tangipahoa Parish took steps to enroll Black students in what were then all-white schools.
The matter stayed dormant until the mid 2000s when parents complained that student bodies at some schools had become predominantly white and others predominantly Black. They also noted Black teachers were in the extreme minority on some campuses.
The school system issued the following statement regarding the historic milestone for the district:
“For 60 years, the Tangipahoa Parish School System has pursued its promise of equal educational opportunity for every child. Today, that 60-year journey has reached its historic conclusion.
“Tangipahoa Parish School System has achieved final unitary status in the last remaining green factor of facilities, bringing an end to the federal desegregation case and federal court supervision. This milestone is about much more than the closing of a court case. It represents the transformation of a school system that has created more access and opportunity for students.
“The federal desegregation case began in 1965, when the school system was challenged to dismantle a segregated educational system and create one unified system serving all students. What followed was six decades of court oversight, millions of dollars in legal fees, and other expenses required by the federal court.
“In 2012, the district achieved final unitary status in extracurricular activities and transportation. In 2021, the district entered a new phase of the journey when the federal judge approved the mutual consent agreement that would lead the district to final unitary status. In 2025, the federal court granted final unitary status in three more green factors of student assignment, teacher assignment, and administrative hiring practices, ending judicial supervision in those areas. In addition, the district was granted provisional unitary status in the area of facilities. On Thursday, October 22, 2026, the district was granted final unitary status in the last remaining green factor of facilities, closing the 60-year case.
“The district has invested over $150 million to build new classrooms and improve current school campuses without raising taxes.
“Reaching this final unitary status is the culmination of years of dedicated and focused effort,” said Tangipahoa Parish School System Superintendent Melissa Stilley, “and I am honored to be a part of the team that brings this historic chapter to a close for our students and our community.”
“Throughout this journey, Tangipahoa Parish has continued to invest in its schools and students. The district has expanded, updated, and modernized facilities, enhanced campuses and classrooms with updated security, new technology, developed magnet and specialized programs, strengthened academic offerings, and provided students with opportunities in fine arts, career and technical education, driver’s education, dual-enrollment courses, and extracurricular activities. These investments have helped create schools where students can learn, explore their interests, develop their talents, and prepare for their futures.
“Today, students benefit from enhanced learning environments, expanded educational choices, and opportunities to participate and succeed whether going on to college or directly into a career.
“The district’s continued commitment to innovation and academic excellence is reflected in recent accomplishments, including six schools being recognized as Magnet Schools of Distinction in 2026 and a 2026 Innovative District Award from Model Schools.
“The end of the desegregation case marks the beginning of a new chapter for Tangipahoa Parish School System.
Tangipahoa Parish School Board President Trent Anthony stated, “This historic moment is a reflection of decades of hard work, collaboration, and commitment to doing what is right for all students in Tangipahoa Parish. We are proud of the progress our system has made, and we remain dedicated to continuing this momentum to ensure every child has access to a high-quality education and a bright future.”
Stilley stated, “While we honor the history that brought us here, our greatest responsibility is to the future. The work now moves forward with a clear focus: providing every student with the opportunity to learn, grow, achieve, succeed, and live the American dream.”
“The closing of this historic case is not simply the end of a chapter. It is a celebration of how far the Tangipahoa Parish School System has come, and a commitment to how far our students can go.”
READ MORE:60-year desegregation case involving Tangipahoa Parish schools comes to an end
