Board approves changing Confederacy-related school names

Five Austin public schools with names related to the Confederacy will be renamed after a Monday night vote by the Austin Independent School District’s Board of Trustees, according to Austin NPR station KUT. The station’s website reported Monday that the board voted 7-2 in favor of the changes, with trustees Ann Teich and Julie Cowan opposing.

The five schools that will be renamed areJohn T. Allan Facility, Zachary Taylor Fulmore Middle School, Sidney Lanier Early College High School, John H. Reagan Early College High School, and Eastside Memorial Early College High School at the Johnston Campus. All were named for Confederate Army members, volunteers, or office-holders.

The district’s superintendent’s office will guide the board on the next steps for moving forward in the process, NBC affiliate KXAN reported Monday, as the renaming of five schools at once is unprecedented for the entity. The station also reported the process—which includes changing signs and banners, gym floors, and uniforms and stationery—will cost an estimated $322,000.

In May of 2016, the board concluded months of discussion, including community input, to rename Robert E. Lee Elementary School in Hyde Park was for Russell Lee. It began the same process for addressing the renaming of other schools in November 2017.

• Austin ISD Board Votes To Change Names Of Schools Honoring Confederate Figures [KUT]

• 5 AISD schools with names tied to the Confederacy will be renamed [KXAN]