NAACP files complaint against NC school district 12/2/09

ALYSIA PATTERSON

Associated Press Writer

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The state chapter of the NAACP has filed a federal complaint against an eastern North Carolina school system, saying its practices have created what the group calls “a district of apartheid education.”

The NAACP president, the Rev. William Barber, said at a news conference Tuesday the organization has filed a civil rights complaint against Wayne County schools with the U.S. Justice and Education departments.

Barber cited policies that he says have resulted in lower graduation rates, higher suspension rates and more and stiffer discipline for black students. He says one district in the Goldsboro city limits has a student population that’s almost 100 percent black while another has one that is almost 90 percent white.

Wayne County schools spokesman Ken Derksen didn’t immediately return a message left Tuesday.

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