The United States Congress passed the Emergency School Aid Act (ESAA) in 1972 in order to implement and sustain integrated educational communities. The ESAA provided nationwide financial assistance to aid elementary and secondary schools in 1) eliminating minority segregation and discrimination among students and faculty; 2) eliminating minority isolation; and 3) assisting school children in overcoming educational disadvantages of minority group isolation. The act declared an educational institution ineligible for funding if it had engaged in any practice resulting in the disproportionate demotion or dismissal of personnel from minority groups or engaged in discriminatory employment practices.

The Citizen's Commission on School Desegregation for the Western District of New York was appointed by John T. Curtin, a United States District Judge, in September 1977. The Commission was composed of twenty-two volunteer members representing community organizations and geographic areas. Its objectives were, 1) to foster public awareness and involvement in implementing desegregation laws; 2) to monitor desegregation in all schools; 3) to serve as a contact for community input into school development; and 4) to encourage the cooperation of local universities, cultural institutions, business, and community organizations with Buffalo Public Schools.

Sarah Simmons served as a member of both the Citizen's Commission on School Desegregation and the Emergency School Aid Act Advisory Committee.