May 11th 2024.
In the year 2020, a decision was made to remove the names of Confederate generals from two schools in Virginia. This sparked a lot of debate and controversy, as some believed it was a necessary step towards condemning racism, while others felt it was a rushed and uninformed decision. After much discussion and a vote, the names were officially restored by the school board on May 10th.
According to reports from CNN, the Shenandoah County School Board voted 5-1 to bring back the names of two schools that had previously honored Confederate leaders. This decision came after a meeting on May 9th, where people with differing opinions came together to discuss the issue at hand. The schools in question, Stonewall Jackson High School and Ashby Lee Elementary School, were renamed Mountain View High School and Honey Run Elementary School, respectively, in an effort to promote inclusivity and condemn racism within the district.
The racial makeup of Shenandoah County Public Schools, which serves over 5,600 students, is predominantly white at 75%, followed by Hispanic students at 18%, and Black students at 3%. With such a diverse student body, it's important for the school board to consider the feelings and perspectives of all students and community members in their decision-making.
During a meeting last month, the current board members, none of whom were part of the board in 2020, expressed their concerns about the previous name change. They felt that it was a hasty decision that lacked proper public input, causing division within the community. Board member Gloria E. Carlineo also stated that it had damaged the trust and confidence in the school board.
In her own words, Carlineo shared, "For me, the main consideration is whether we, as a democratic nation of laws, will choose to ignore a decision made by a governmental body that exploited the tragedy of COVID or will rectify a wrongful action that has deeply divided our community. I choose the latter." This statement highlights the complexity of the issue and the importance of finding a resolution that considers all perspectives and respects the democratic process.
On the other hand, there were also parents and residents, like Sarah Kohrs, who were frustrated with the decision to restore the names. They believed that the focus should be on more pressing matters that directly impact the students, such as repairing leaky roofs, purchasing a proper sound system for track meets, and ensuring there are enough varsity letters with the current school names.
Kohrs, a mother of two students, expressed her disappointment, saying, "It's very frustrating to know that here we are four years after that, and we still have a small portion of the community that just refuses to move on." She also brought attention to the fact that the estimated cost of restoring the names would be over $304,000, a significant amount of money that she believes could be better utilized for the students' needs.
In the end, the restoration of the names was approved, but it's clear that the issue is still a contentious one within the community. As Kohrs pointed out, there are still remnants of the previous names that need to be addressed, such as the athletic equipment that still bears the name "Stonewall." It's important for the school board to continue listening to all perspectives and addressing the needs of their diverse student body, even when it comes to difficult and divisive issues like this one.
As the debate continues, it's crucial to remember the impact that these decisions have on the students and the values that we want to instill in them. With the restoration of the names, it's now up to the school board to ensure that all students feel welcome and included, regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs. After all, our children are the future, and it's our responsibility to create a positive and inclusive learning environment for them.
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