Reversal: Virginia School Board Votes to Restore Confederate Names to 2 Schools

Last Updated on May 11, 2024 by Robert C. Hoopes

Shenandoah County School Board Votes to Restore Confederate Names to Schools

In a controversial move, Shenandoah County’s school board voted 5-1 to restore the names of Confederate military leaders to Mountain View High School and Honey Run Elementary. This decision comes four years after the names were originally removed amid nationwide protests for racial justice.

This marks the first known case of a school system restoring a Confederate name that had been removed, as the trend of removing Confederate names and memorials has continued across the country. The Army has renamed installations and removed a memorial from Arlington National Cemetery in response to similar sentiments.

The decision to restore the Confederate names was met with criticism from some residents who felt the previous board had ignored popular sentiment and due process in removing the names. However, the makeup of the school board changed significantly after the 2023 elections, resulting in a 100% conservative board.

A six-hour meeting was held to discuss the restoration of the names, with public comments from residents both supporting and opposing the move. Private donations will be used to pay for the name changes, as Shenandoah County is a politically conservative jurisdiction in Virginia. The vote to restore the Confederate names came after a 2020 law lifted restrictions on removing Confederate memorials.

This decision highlights the ongoing debate surrounding Confederate imagery in public spaces and the differing opinions on how to address this part of American history. The restoration of these names serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges associated with confronting controversial aspects of the past.