The Shenandoah County School Board in Virginia recently made the decision to restore the original Confederate names of two schools that had been changed in 2020 following the death of George Floyd. Stonewall Jackson High School and Ashby Lee Elementary School had their names changed to Mountain View High School and Honey Run Elementary School, respectively. However, after a public hearing, the school board voted to revert to the original names, which were named after Confederate generals. This decision was influenced by The Coalition for Better Schools, who claimed that the community overwhelmingly wanted the original names restored.
The debate surrounding the name changes involved input from residents who both supported and opposed the restoration. Critics of the 2020 decision to change the names argued that the community was not properly consulted, while those in favor of keeping the non-Confederate names believed that the original names were offensive and unwelcoming. Brandi L. Rutz, a member of the school board, expressed concerns about the process by which the name changes were initially made in just six days with limited community participation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She emphasized the importance of transparency and representative government in decision-making processes.
Another member of the school board, Gloria Markus, suggested that the name change in 2020 was not justified by any local instances of racism or events. She emphasized that the decision was made in response to national events, rather than being reflective of the history and heritage of the Shenandoah Valley region. Only one board member, Kyle Gutshall, voted against the restoration of the Confederate names, citing the importance of considering the wishes of his constituents. Despite the division on the issue, Gutshall expressed hope that the school system could move forward after the decision.
In a national context, Shenandoah County is the first county to reverse changes made to institutions bearing Confederate names in response to the events of 2020. Claim the Names, an organization opposed to the restoration, criticized the school board’s decision, suggesting that it was motivated by “vengeance” and “hatred” rather than heritage. The organization’s representative, Sarah Kohrs, expressed concern about the implications of honoring figures associated with the Confederacy and their history of slavery and segregation. Moving forward, she emphasized the importance of ensuring that a balanced and accurate representation of history is maintained in educational settings.
Overall, the decision to restore the original Confederate names of two schools in Shenandoah County reflects the ongoing debate surrounding Confederate symbols and their place in public spaces. While some residents supported the restoration as a way to honor the community’s heritage, others viewed it as a step backward in terms of progress towards inclusivity and diversity. The differing perspectives within the community and on the school board highlight the complex and often contentious nature of addressing historical symbols with controversial connotations. As discussions continue, it remains to be seen how communities across the country will navigate these sensitive issues in the future.
