School Board votes to restore names of Confederate generals

In 2020, the names of Confederate generals were faraway from the titles of two Virginia schools. On May 10, the varsity board voted to restore those names to the colleges.

According to , school board members in Shenandoah County, Virginia, decided by a 5-to-1 majority restore the names of two schools that previously commemorated Confederate leaders. The move got here after a gathering on May 9 between individuals with different views.

The Shenandoah County School Board renamed Stonewall Jackson High School, originally named for Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, and Ashby Lee Elementary School, named for Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Turner Ashby, to Mountain View High School and Honey Run Elementary School respectively. The name change was intended to condemn racism and reaffirm the district’s “commitment to an inclusive school environment,” it claims documents of the varsity authorities.

Shenandoah County Public Schools, with an enrollment of greater than 5,600 students, is roughly 75% white, 18% Latino and three% black.

At last month’s meeting, six current board members, none of whom served on the board in 2020, took issue with the name change from 2020. They said the name change to “badly done” was done in a rush and didn’t require input public. Board member Gloria E. Carlineo said it “undermined” confidence in the varsity board.

“Therefore, what matters most to me is whether or not we, as a democratic nation of laws, select to ignore the choice made by a government body that took advantage of the Covid-19 tragedy, or whether we correct an inappropriate motion that has deeply divided our community. I select the latter,” Carlineo said before the vote.

Sarah Kohrs, the mother of two students, and other parents and residents disagreed with the names being reinstated and were frustrated that it was being considered.

“It’s very frustrating that four years have passed since this event and there’s still a small portion of the community that just doesn’t want to move on,” Kohrs said.

She said attention needs to be focused on what students want and want to achieve success, reminiscent of fixing leaking roofs, publicizing track meets or having enough college letters with current school names.

The estimated cost to restore the names can be greater than $304,000 district documents.

Kohrs prefers that the funds be used for more essential things for college students, reminiscent of fixing leaky roofs and publicizing the track events.

“We still don’t even have all of our sports equipment after the 2020 name change. We still use the old picket fences, sometimes with the name Stonewall,” Kohrs said.

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