What was the purpose of the Sibley Commission formed in 1960?

The Sibley Commission was established in Georgia in 1960 primarily to gauge public sentiment regarding the desegregation of public schools following the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education. The commission's aim was to gather opinions from citizens across the state about their views on school desegregation and to understand the potential consequences of implementing such changes. This assessment was crucial as it helped state leaders determine the best path forward in a period of significant social change and tension related to civil rights.

The findings of the Sibley Commission ultimately influenced the state's approach to desegregation, including the decision to allow individual school districts to decide how to implement desegregation, which reflected varying levels of support and resistance across different communities.