Video: Judge Signs Off On Desegregation Plan For Starkville-Oktibbeha Schools

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) – A federal judge has approved a desegregation plan for the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District.

The order from U.S. District Judge Michael Mills came after the Department of Justice questioned whether the newly consolidated school system was maintaining some segregated schools.

The Commercial Dispatch reports that Mills approved Monday an agreement reached by the school system and the Justice Department.

The city and county school systems merged in July.

The two schools districts have been operating under federal oversight since 1970.

The agreement creates attendance zones: both East and West Oktibbeha elementary schools will be for students up to grade 5 residing in the former county school district; county-wide sixth, seventh and eighth graders will attend Armstrong Middle School; and Starkville High School will house freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors.