Shortly after the publication of the McLeod offer on February 19, 1950, another article appeared in the Orlando Evening Star on March 22 that made it clear the School Board was pursuing its acquisition of Hungerford. Trustees voted to resume negotiations with the School Board to transfer the school and property. The deal involved an estimated cost of $200,000 for further improvement and development—sourced from a six million dollar bond contingent on applying recommendations made by the Florida State Citizens Committee School Survey. In addition to planned development, there is mention by school board chairman George Johnson of 300 acres of land included in the transfer, creating “exceptional opportunity for expansion of agricultural classes.” [1]
[1] "County May Expand Hungerford School," Orlando Evening Sun, Mar. 22, 1950.
Legal proceedings continued, resulting in the notice to appear printed throughout the year. At the end of the year, another article mentions the ongoing case—referred to as a “friendly suit” between the trustees and board—holding up an estimated amount now increased to $205,000. Despite the change in administration, the school would continue to be "an all-round high school, offering both academic and vocational instruction." [2] By discussing white and black schools, the article becomes an artifact—a piece of the past that reminds us of its legacy, while helping us track change over time. When combined with other evidence, the article’s mention of Hungerford places it within a larger context concerning equal educational resources and institutions for black and white students.
[2] Sally Hobbs, “Orange County School Plan Progresses,” Orlando Evening Sun, Nov. 3, 1950.
At the beginning of the 50s and with Brown vs. Board of Education four years away, educational institutions remained segregated and, despite claiming to be equal, were often anything but. In August 1950, both the Orange County School Board members and School Trustees members received summons for a Federal Court equalization suit filed by members of Orlando's black community. This would block further expenditure on white schools until black schools were renovated and improved. [3]
[3] “Summons Served in Negro School Suit,” Orlando Evening Sun, Aug. 23, 1950.
[4] Sally Hobbs Briggs, “War Could Halt School Expansion,” Orlando Evening Sun, Feb. 13, 1951.
Again, pulling in other sources expands our understanding of Hungerford’s history and context. Orlando Evening Sun reporter Sally Hobbs Briggs mentions the Korean War complicating the board’s planned expansion. Even facing potential financial issues, the expansion was necessary given Central Florida’s growing population—another side effect of the war and the product of “rapid development of the region bringing about shifts in the center of population.” The article also offers insight into the “friendly suit” between the board and trustees with mention that the latter did not “have the power to dispose of the school without court approval." [4] Court approval was granted in 1952 when the State Supreme Court upheld Circuit Court Judge Frank A. Smith’s ruling that Hungerford be turned over to the school board. Justice John E. Matthews cited the state’s progress in providing free public education to African Americans that made it not “‘practical or expedient to further attempt to carry on this worthy institution.’” He cited the school’s inability to be self-sustaining and its reliance on “gifts, donations, beneficiaries, and endowments made by charitable people” as further reason to dissolve Hungerford’s trust. [5]
[5] “Negro School Gains Cited by High Court,” Orlando Evening Sun, Mar. 12, 1952.
With the ruling upheld, the board moved forward with planned improvements. Despite the earlier lawsuit to equalize and Justice Matthews’ assurances that the state adequately committed to equalization, the problem appears to have continued. In 1953, parents filed an injunction suit in federal court to once again attempt the equalization of educational facilities three years later. This is mentioned alongside reports by the board to commit to "g[i]ve top priority to construction of a new elementary school...and improvements to the Hungerford school." It also reports money was earmarked for Hungerford in the board’s 1948 six million dollar bond issue, but that these funds were held up by the continuing legal dispute. [6] Days later, it was decided that improvements would be made to Hungerford in the form of a new auditorium-gymnasium and boiler room. Following the announcement, attorney for the parents’ injunction Paul Perkins stated the project required more progress to withdraw the suit. [7]
[6] “Negro Schools Get Priority,” Orlando Evening Sun, June 9, 1953.
[7] “Board Awards Negro School Building Job,” Orlando Evening Sun, July 21, 1953.
Such lawsuits and legal proceedings not only demonstrate the discrepancy between schools for black and white students, but also illustrate the processes parents needed to contend with—just to ensure their children received an equal education. They also underscore the necessity for Brown vs. Board of Education, a court decision which Justice Matthews eventually spoke out against. Incorporated within the school board’s purview before the decision, Hungerford was likely impacted in the face of a school system that expanded in the wake of the 1954 federal Supreme Court decision.
Sources
[1] "County May Expand Hungerford School," Orlando Evening Sun, Mar. 22, 1950.
[2] Sally Hobbs, “Orange County School Plan Progresses,” Orlando Evening Sun, Nov. 3, 1950.
[3] “Summons Served in Negro School Suit,” Orlando Evening Sun, Aug. 23, 1950.
[4] Sally Hobbs Briggs, “War Could Halt School Expansion,” Orlando Evening Sun, Feb. 13, 1951.
[5] “Negro School Gains Cited by High Court,” Orlando Evening Sun, Mar. 12, 1952.
[6] “Negro Schools Get Priority,” Orlando Evening Sun, June 9, 1953.
[7] “Board Awards Negro School Building Job,” Orlando Evening Sun, July 21, 1953.
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