Stuart High Renaming: Total Name Change Costs $800K

FALLS CHURCH, VA—The Fairfax County Public Schools superintendent is recommending new names for J.E.B. Stuart High School to the school board Thursday night. And one of these five suggestions would cost significantly less than others.

During a Sept. 16 community meeting, residents voted for their top choices based on suggestions from a prior meeting. They could choose from a list of 70 names, with everything from Harriet Tubman, Crossroads and Seven Corners to silly choices like "Schooly McSchoolface," Harambe and "Triggered Snowflake."

Superintendent Scott Brabrand's recommendations to the school board are the five names that received the most resident votes:

1. Stuart/Stuart Raiders - 917 points
2. Justice Thurgood Marshall - 763 points
3. Barbara Rose Johns - 737 points
4. Peace Valley - 494 points
5. Louis Gonzaga Mendez, Jr. - 328 points

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When the school board voted to remove the name of Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart from the school, keeping the last name "Stuart" wasn't out of the question. In fact, it seemed like a reasonable possibility for board members that want to minimize the cost of a name change.

According to data being presented to the school board, a complete name change adds up to $800,620, while keeping Stuart costs $512,572.

The lower cost is due to the fact that some athletic teams, such as cross country, golf and volleyball, are only identified as Stuart, not J.E.B. Stuart. However, expenses like the end zone logo ($104,101) and hallway floor logo ($45,000) would cost the same regardless.

The school board will consider the proposal at an Oct. 16 work session and have a final vote Oct. 26.

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.

See the latest on the Stuart High School renaming here.

Would you prefer the lower-cost name change to Stuart? Let us know in the comments below.

Image via Fairfax County Public Schools