Delaware

Simmons

vs

Steiner

The Milford School District in Delaware only operated one public high school. Multiple Black students sought admission into this school and they were all enrolled. Then, on September 30, 1954, Edmund F. Steiner, the president of the Milford Board of Education, removed the Black students’ names from Milford High School’s records solely because of their race. Their parents and guardians were not sent any notice nor were they given a chance to respond. In this lawsuit, the students argued that the removal of their names from the school's records was a violation of their rights to equal protection of the laws and due process of law. Additionally, they argued that the facilities that were provided by separate schools near Milford were unequal to those afforded by Milford High School. The courts decided that the Black students were entitled to an order protecting their status as students at Milford High School. The students won their case. [155 words]

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