Shenandoah County, Virginia, will reinstate Confederate names at two schools, reversing a decision made four years ago following the murder of George Floyd.
The decision followed hours of public comment Thursday with community members on both sides of the issue.
The board decided 5-1 Friday morning to reverse the name changes. Vice President Kyle L. Gutshall was the only dissenting vote.
The two schools, Stonewall Jackson High School and Ashby Lee Elementary School, were named in honor of the Confederate Gens. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, Robert E. Lee and Turner Ashby.
More than 5,600 students attend Shenandoah County public schools, according to the state Department of Education. About 75% of students are white, 18% are Hispanic and 3% are black.
In 2020, racial justice advocates across the country urged institutions to change the names of buildings and remove statues honoring Confederate figures.
In July 2020, the board voted 5-1 to rename Stonewall Jackson High to Mountain View High and Ashby-Lee Elementary to Honey Run Elementary.
But the move quickly drew criticism from residents. Critics of the name changes argued that the name change was hasty and undemocratic, and attempts to restore the schools’ Confederate names have persisted ever since.
In 2022, the board voted again, but the vote ended in a tie and the name changes remained.
In April, the Coalition for Better Schools, a local conservative organization, brought the issue to the community once again.
On aletter to the school boardthe group said the two generals’ legacies are complex but important to the community.
“We understand that the decision to rename these schools was made in response to discussions surrounding Confederate symbols,” the letter stated. “However, we believe that reviewing this decision is essential to honor our community’s heritage and respect the wishes of the majority.”
The letter added that research conducted by the group showed “overwhelming support for this restoration.”
During Thursday’s meeting, a woman urged the board to consider what Confederate soldiers stood for as a reason to honor them with school names.
“I ask that when you vote, you remember that Stonewall Jackson and others who fought alongside the Confederacy in this area were intent on protecting the lands, buildings and lives of those who were under attack,” she said. “Preservation is the focus of those who want to restore the names.”
But Gene Kilby, the last surviving son of Virginia civil rights activist James Wilson Kilby, who helped desegregate schools in Virginia, argued that restoring the names would mean accepting a legacy of racism.
“Why are we here tonight to return to a time in history that was very cruel, where hatred and racism continued throughout this county and across the United States?” Kilby said. “Is this the kind of legacy you want to leave on Shenandoah County public school buildings?”
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
