A school board in Shenandoah, Virginia, has recently voted to restore the original Confederate names for two schools that it had renamed four years ago. The decision to rename the school came in the wake of George Floyd’s death and the Black Lives Matter protests.
In 2020, the school board had voted to change the names of Stonewall Jackson High School and Ashby-Lee Elementary School to Mountain View High School and Honey Run Elementary School. However, after a public meeting held on Thursday, May 9, the board decided to reconsider this change.
The Coalition for Better Schools requested the board restore the Confederate names, arguing that they hold historical significance and have been integral parts of the community for many years. The group conducted a survey among Shenandoah citizens revealed that 91.3% expressed a desire to revert to the original names.
Attendees at the school board meeting were evenly split on the issue.
“Why are we here tonight,” one man who spoke against the reversal asked. “To go back to a time in history that was very cruel? Where hatred and racism continue throughout this county and throughout the United States?”
However, others spoke in favor of the name change, believing that Shenandoah County would overwhelmingly vote in favor of restoring the names.
Those against reverting to the Confederate names argued for more inclusive names for the students who attend the schools. Meanwhile, those in favor were reportedly upset with how the school board had swiftly changed the school names in 2020 without seeking public input.
All six seats on the board are now held by different people than in 2020, according to CNN reports. Board member Gloria Carlineo criticized the 2020 school board, stating that members ignored the people they represented when making the initial name change.
The implementation of the school name changes cost more than $300,000 in 2021, as documented by the school board.
