How did a champion of poor counties become one of the most hated men in those very areas? Judge Howard Manning, the presiding judge over the landmark Leandro case should ask himself that question.

In May 1994, what would become known as the “Leandro Lawsuit” was brought by school boards of five poor counties against the State of North Carolina. These low-wealth communities complained that the state, in dealing out money to each school district in equal portions to each county, set up rural and low-income districts to be underachieving.

In 1997, the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled in favor of the five counties that brought the lawsuit. The court stated that each North Carolinian is entitled to “a sound basic education in our public schools.” To level the playing field between affluent school districts and the underdeveloped ones, the state began funneling more funds to the poorer schools. 

The case, however, did not close with that decision. Appeals continued until 2004, when the NC Supreme Court delegated authority to Judge Manning to commence implementation of the ruling.

Manning’s history with education in our state is somewhat controversial as he has always expressed disgust at school systems he deems too underachieving. For example, several years ago, Manning captured headlines when he proclaimed that certain schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system were committing “academic genocide.”

In March, Manning again drew media attention when he gave the principals of low performing schools this ultimatum: raise test scores, or shut your doors. Manning had thus informed these schools that if they did not improve significantly, they would be closed and the students sent elsewhere to receive education.

It is precisely here where Manning overstepped his sanity. When has closing schools been the appropriate action to bring test scores up? Studies in education have consistently shown that lower class sizes are one of the biggest factors in student achievement. Some of the schools that Manning issued his grand ultimatum to are in districts with only one high school. Where are those students going to attend school? If Manning closes any school that is still structurally sound, it would be “academic genocide” by judiciary.

I agree wholeheartedly with some of Manning’s reasoning. Principals in these schools may need removal, superintendents may need to be fired, but to close the schools strains the infrastructure of already downtrodden communities.

The way to support school systems is to provide adequate funding and to make sure it is appropriated in the right way. If the money is wasted, then it is the responsibility of the state to replace the principal or superintendent that is not up to the task of leading. Ã

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