AISD changing school names associated with Confederacy
Austin Independent School District wrapped up a board meeting late on November 13th and one of the major items discussed was changing the names of some schools that are associated with the Confederacy.
The schools included in the discussion are:
- The John T. Allen Facility
- Zachary Taylor Fulmore Middle School
- Eastside Memorial
- Sidney Lanier Early College High School
- John H. Reagan Early College High School
Administration officials have already met with campus principals and advisory committees at all five campuses.
If the trustees approve the proposal, the district will meet with community groups and students to gather feedback.
After that committees would be formed in January, public submissions of names in February and a board vote on the name changes in March.
In May 2016, the school board voted to rename Robert E. Lee Elementary to Russell Lee Elementary. Russell Lee was a Depression-era photographer and founder of the University of Texas photography department.
AISD says the total cost of renaming all five campuses is estimated to be about $322,000. That includes the signs on buildings, marquees, gym floors and uniforms.