Lee Expressive Arts Elementary School Board, parents discussing process to change name

The Lee Expressive Elementary School Board and parents are discussing the process of how to change the elementary school’s name.

The board started the meeting Thursday afternoon by handing out information to parents on the policy for changing the name of a school. According to the handout, if the name of the school doesn’t serve the same purpose or if the school is under renovations, there can be a name change.

There is no time frame on when or if the change will happen, but there is talk about looking into putting banners over the original school name, Robert E. Lee Elementary School.

Several parents spoke during the special school board session saying the change needs to happen now and the public-wide school board can’t sit back and wait any longer.

According to Lee Elementary School Board members and Columbia Public Schools Board members, the request to change the school’s name has been brought up in the past but no action was taken.

“We recognize the history that the name includes, and you know I’ll be honest maybe this board missed an opportunity to rename the building then,” Jonathan Sessions said.

Efforts are underway across the nation to remove Confederate symbols from public entities, including names of public schools. According to a study done by the Southern Poverty Law Center, 109 public schools across the nation are named after Confederate leaders.

School district spokesperson Michelle Baumstark said the building was originally named back in 1904 and shortly thereafter was renamed “Lee School.” Baumstark told ABC 17 News the district hasn’t called it Robert E. Lee in decades.

Baumstark also said that “you won’t find any images or reflections in the building to Robert E. Lee.” While ABC 17 News was there for the special meeting, a plaque and picture frame with the name Robert E. Lee was hanging toward the entrance of the school, and Robert E. Lee’s name is on the outside of the building.

“It’s a historically registered building, which makes it a little more complicated,” Baumstark said. “You can’t just go and chisel something out.”

The district told ABC 17 News for right now, they will investigate what options they have to cover up the Robert E. Lee sign outside.

The Elementary School Board is planning on presenting its formal request to the citywide school board at its next meeting Sept. 11 but it will ultimately be up to the school board if the renaming process can move forward.