Duval County School Board votes unanimously to request to initiate renaming schools with Confederate ties

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The chair of the Duval County School Board said it’s time to rename six Jacksonville schools that are each named after Confederate soldiers.

In a letter to the school board, Chairman Warren A. Jones said “This effort can help to heal a city that is fractured. In following the lead of our mayor, [Lenny Curry] who is boldly removing all Confederate monuments, it is high time we do the same.”

The school board voted unanimously during Tuesday night’s regular meeting to request to initiate renaming schools with Confederate ties.

During Tuesday night’s regular school board meeting, Jones submitted a written request that the School Board initiate the renaming of:

• Joseph Finegan Elementary School
• Stonewall Jackson Elementary School
• Jefferson Davis Middle School
• Kirby-Smith Middle School
• J.E.B. Stuart Middle School
• Robert E. Lee High School

The renaming procedure includes the following steps:

Stakeholder Engagement

• SAC, PTA/PTSA, students, faculty and staff, alumni and community members are invited to engage in the process
• Clear process to verify eligibility to participate
• Supported by various departments including Strategic Planning, Policy and Compliance, Accountability and Assessment, Human Resources, Office of School Improvement, Facilities and Communications

Putting it to a Vote

• Recommended balloting procedures
• Results are calculated and shared with leadership staff

Decision by the Board

• Superintendent offers to the Board a proposed new name or no change to the school’s existing name
• School Board Accepts, Rejects or Requests another name be proposed

To see the full Duval County Public Schools policy for naming or renaming schools, read the document below:

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