Confederate Name To Be Removed From Fairfax County School

FALLS CHURCH, VA—The Fairfax County School Board voted Thursday to remove the name of Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart from a high school, NBC Washington reported. The board's resolution suggests renaming the school Stuart High School. The name change could happen by fall 2019.

The renaming process will begin in the fall. The school district will hold a community meeting Saturday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. at J.E.B. Stuart High School to collect suggestions for names. Community members living within the school's boundaries will be able to vote for a name Saturday, Sept. 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The top choices will be presented as a recommendation to the school board.

Keeping the name Stuart would reduce the cost of a name change. The school board's motion directed staff to seek private funding that could cover most of the costs. Some opponents argued that a complete name change would cost $600,000 to $900,000, while others are believe it is an attack on Confederate history.

The debate over the name caught on two years ago. Petitioners headed by Actress Julianne Moore and producer Bruce Cohen, both Stuart graduates, pushed for the name change. Those pushing for the name change believe students of color should not have to attend a school named for a slaveholding Confederate general. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Stuart High School was named for the Confederate general when it opened in 1959. Some speculate the name was a pointed reaction to desegregation efforts, although it could simply be a way to honor the Confederate military leader.

Last summer, the school board created a committee of students, parents and community members to study the pros and cons or a name change. But the divide continued as the group produced conflicting results: reports each favoring different sides.

Stuart High School's name change brings into question whether the same could happen for Robert E. Lee High School in Springfield. NBC Washington reported that board members feel the Lee school community is not asking for a change, but some feel they could be seen as hypocritical after the Stuart vote.

Community members packed the auditorium of Jackson Middle School for the board meeting, and cheers could be heard when the vote was complete.

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Image via Fairfax County Public Schools