The Fairfax County School Board has voted to change the name of Robert E. Lee High School, and will gather community input prior to voting on the new name on July 23. The new name will go into effect with the start of the 2020-21 school year.
Superintendent Scott S. Brabrand submitted his recommendations for a new name for the school as new business at the School Board’s business meeting on June 23. A one-month public comment period begins today.
Brabrand’s recommendations include the following:
John Lewis (U.S. Congressman), Barack Obama, Mildred Loving, Cesar Chavez, Legacy, and Central Springfield.
The School Board has the final say on the new name and can consider the superintendent’s recommendations or choose a different name.
School Board vice chair and Lee District representative Tamara Derenak Kaufax said, “We are grateful for the feedback provided by the community during this process. We have carefully considered their input, and will be moving forward with the name change at Lee High School. As I stated in February when this process began, Confederate values are ones that do not align with our community. I have seen the pain and hurt that these names have inflicted on friends, colleagues, and community members. Our schools need to be places where all students, staff, and members of the community feel safe and supported.” Derenak Kaufax and at-large member Karen Keys-Gamarra initiated the name change.
A community meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, for community members to provide feedback on the recommended names for the school. Additional details about the community meeting will be announced in the near future. Citizens are also welcome to submit their feedback to Region3admin@fcps.edu. The School Board will hold a public hearing on the name change on Wednesday, July 22, at 4 p.m. Information on citizen participation is available online.