CPS Board of Education to consider forming Lee Elementary renaming committee

The Columbia Public Schools Board of Education will consider forming at renaming committee for Robert E. Lee Elementary School at its meeting Monday night.

This comes as 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.

Members of the school’s autonomous school board sent a formal letter to the Board of Education requesting it consider beginning the name change process because it didn’t feel like the name “supports the objectives of the school.”

The official request, courtesy of board member Debbie Rodman, is below.

“The Lee Expressive Arts Elementary Autonomous School Board, working to provide a more inclusive environment, request the Board of Education begin a name change process for Lee in the next few months based on our belief that the current name no longer supports the objectives of the school.”

According to CPS spokesperson Michelle Baumstark, the program or “objectives of the school” have historically referred to the building changing over from a high school to an elementary school, or some other grade levels, and that is a definition the school board will have to consider moving forward.

Board of Education member Jonathan Sessions said Sunday that there will be a discussion by board members and an opportunity for public comment. He said all of the board members have received the formal request and there will most likely be a vote on whether or not to form a renaming committee.

He said, if formed, the committee will explore options and could even decide to recommend keeping the school’s current name.

“It will include community members, faculty, parents and administration,” Sessions said.

Sessions plans on voting in favor of the renaming committee.

“I’m not one to say what the name should be,” he said. “I feel that’s a decision that should be made by that school family and the stakeholders around that school.”

The final decision will be up to the school district. You can read our past articles on the issue here and here.