BREAKING NEWS: Local NAACP unit considers civil rights lawsuit against SOMA district

By Christina Hernandez, Managing Editor
The Oranges and Maplewood Unit of The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is seeking legal assistance from its national office to initiate a lawsuit against the South Orange-Maplewood K-12 district because of alleged segregation in its schools.
Local NAACP officials said July 12 that district officials’ recent decision to “collapse” levels 3 and 4 in seventh-grade English, social studies and science at South Orange and Maplewood middle schools doesn’t eliminate the “inequalities” in SOMA schools.
That’s why the unit’s membership board unanimously approved a resolution last month to seek legal counsel from its national civil rights organization.
The unit must receive approval from the national office in order to seek legal action.
“It’s about having a system that is equitable,” said Thomas Puryear, president of the unit, adding that the recommendations presented by the superintendent’s task force are too “modest.”
In June, school officials voted 6-3 to approve a change in the district policy on leveling, or the grouping students in classes based on perceived academic ability that is measured by test scores, grades and teacher input.
“(This) is about making opportunities for all students by completely deleveling the middle school and high school,” said Puryear, a retired higher education teacher.
A prepared statement on behalf of the unit was sent via e-mail on July 12. It stated:
“Although the South Orange-Maplewood communities purport to be committed and proud of the diversity which exists within their borders. It is disingenuous for the municipalities to be every supportive of integration while maintaining a segregated school district.”
While Puryear recognizes district officials' efforts in eliminating leveling in its schools, he says it’s not enough.
“A little bit of something doesn’t address the problem,” he said.
Puryear said the national office of the NAACP is currently reviewing the unit’s request and “a huge amount of documentation we have provided them.” He is uncertain when he would get a response.
“I have little doubt,” that the national office would deny our lawsuit, Puryear said.
He said he believes the organization would “encourage us and provide us with the legal support.”
If not, he said, “We would be very disappointed.”
Superintendent of Schools Brian Osborne said today that "he has not yet seen any details from the NAACP and I look forward to working with all stakeholders to make the South Orange-Maplewood school district both excellent and equitable."

However, Nancy Gagnier, executive director of South Orange-Maplewood Community Coalition on Race, said today that she doesn’t recall any organization pursuing a civil rights lawsuit against the district because of the leveling system.
“I have no comment on the NAACP,” she said.