The NeighboodSchools Court Case
Also see the article on USA TODAY from March 1999:

Click here to view Neighborhood schools  - part 2 containing various Observer articles
 
County Commissioner Bill James, School Board Member Jim Puckett and Plaintiff Larry Gauvreau leaving Charlotte's Federal Courthouse on Friday, September 10, 1999 after learning of Judge Potter's decision to ban race based student assignments. On the Cover of the Charlotte Observer, Saturday, September 11, 1999.Observer Staff Photo by PATRICK SCHNEIDER 

Beginning with a 1996 article highlighting the initial push for neighborhood schools through the filing of the case in Federal Court and the decision by US Judge Robert Potter, Commissioner Bill James has been a steadfast advocate and involved in the local case for neighborhood schools participating in the discussion and assisting those involved as needed

October 1996 Observer comment: "Led by District 6 candidate Bill James, who faces no opposition, the candidates say they would first determine how many schools have to be built and where, what upgrades are needed for inner-city schools, and how much it all would cost.  James, a Republican, emphasizes that his plan would require equivalent funding for the inner-city, mostly black schools."

Plaintiff Larry Gauvreau addressing the media after Judge Potter announced they had won. Pictured in the background in front of Charlotte's Federal Courthouse are: Paul Haisley, School Board Member Jim Puckett and County Commissioner Bill James (all proponents of neighborhood schools).
West Charlotte High
      Black     White        Gap
English 1 39.2 74.1 (34.9)
English 2 16.9 54.4 (37.5)
Eng. 2nd Lang. 28.4 72.0 (43.6)
Biology 19.8 65.9 (46.1)
US History 15.2 58.1 (42.9)
Algebra I 13.3 41.0 (27.7)
Physical Science 7.5 0.0 7.5
Chemistry 19.0 62.5 (43.5)
Physics 25.0 81.8 (56.8)
Geometry 7.1 37.0 (29.9)
Algebra II 29.5 61.5 (32.0)
WestCharlotte Avg.   20.1 55.3 35.2
 
Butler High
 
 
 
 
       Black        White         Gap
English 1 53.1 85.5 (32.4)
English 2 36.8 59.8 (23.0)
Eng. 2nd Lang. 48.0 81.3 (33.3)
Biology 36.6 83.9 (47.3)
US History 39.7 64.8 (25.1)
Algebra I 34.2 60.4 (26.2)
Physical Science 42.3 78.6 (36.3)
Chemistry 32.6 57.1 (24.5)
Physics 11.8 57.1 (45.3)
Geometry 22.5 67.3 (44.8)
Algebra II 54.5 80.2 (25.7)
Butler High Avg. 37.5 70.5 33.1
 
Year 2000
  
   Black
           White
        Gap  
SAT 839.0 976.0 (137.0)
Science  (grades 4-8)  36.8 80.4 (43.6)
Social Studies  (gr.4-8)  39.6 80.2 (40.6)
Reading  (grades 3-8)  52.8 87.2 (34.4)
Math  (grades 3-8)  56.5 89.3 (32.8)
Writing  (levels III & IV)  50.7 71.8 (21.1)
Average 47.3 81.8 (34.5)
 
Source: Dr.  Gyasi A. Foluke, Kushite Institute proposal
to the County Commission dated May 29 ,2001
Year 1997

            Black  

    White

         Gap
SAT 850.0 981.0 (131.0)
Science  (grades 4-8)  33.8 77.8 (44.0)
Social Studies  (gr.4-8)  39.8 79.2 (39.4)
Reading  (grades 3-8)  39.5 79.3 (39.8)
Math  (grades 3-8)  43.3 82.6 (39.3)
Writing  (levels III & IV)  37.8 64.7 (26.9)
Average 38.8 76.7 (37.9)
 
Source: Dr.  Gyasi A. Foluke, Kushite Institute proposal
to the County Commission dated May 29 ,2001