JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As confederate monuments come down in Jacksonville, there’s a new push to rename a Jacksonville public school.
A petition on Change.org is calling for Robert E. Lee High School to be renamed. More than 5,000 people have signed the petition, citing that they want the school renamed after someone whose legacy positively impacts people of color. The Duval County school is named after a famous confederate general.
Duval County Public Schools said it is aware of the petition but said a formal request has not been made.
According to the district’s policy, a request to change a school’s name can come from students, parents, alumni, or the community serving that school.
The superintendent or any school board member can submit a written request to the school board to change the name. The city of Jacksonville does not have the power to change the name of the school. “Community input is desired and highly valued; however the School Board has final authority over the name of any school,” the policy stated.
The policy, which was revised in 2019, stated when renaming a school, it can’t be named after a person living or deceased, and the name should not conflict with an existing school name.
It’s not the first time there’s been a request for a school name change in the city.
Action News Jax reported in 2013 when Nathaniel B. Forrest High School, named after a confederate general and KKK leader, was renamed to Westside High School.
View the document below to see the renaming policy:
Naming or Renaming Schools ... by ActionNewsJax on Scribd