When school board members in Springfield MA were charged with discriminating against black students in 1963 what was their primary defense?

The school board members in Springfield, MA, charged with discriminating against Black students in 1963 primarily defended their actions by arguing that they were following state laws and policies regarding school segregation. They claimed that their decisions were based on the prevailing educational standards and community practices at the time, rather than on racial bias. Additionally, they often asserted that they were acting in the best interests of all students, emphasizing a perceived need for maintaining order and stability within the school system.