Florida officials vote to rename six schools named after Confederate leaders

A school board in Florida voted on Tuesday to rename six schools that were named after Confederate leaders.

The Duval County School Board voted to change the names following a monthlong debate, The Associated Press reports.

Names that will be changed are: Joseph Finegan Elementary, Stonewall Jackson Elementary, Jefferson Davis Middle, Kirby-Smith Middle, J.E.B. Stuart Middle and Robert E. Lee High.

SCHOOLS:
Joseph Finegan Elem ✔
Stonewall Jackson Elem ✔
J.E.B. Stuart Mid ✔
Jefferson Davis Mid ✔
Kirby-Smith Middle ✔
Robert E. Lee High ✔
Andrew Jackson High
Jean Ribault High
Jean Ribault Mid

✔ = Renaming backed by @DuvalSchools Supt. @DrDianaGreene & voters#News4Jax

— Joe McLean (@JoeMcLeanNews) June 1, 2021

However, the AP notes that three schools named after French colonizers and a U.S. president who supported slavery — Andrew Jackson High School — will keep their names.

Some school board members had been in favor of removing Jackson’s name, but the amendment failed to pass.

The name changes will be delayed for some time as school signs and uniforms are updated. The school district will work with alumni to determine where to keep the old marquees and memorabilia.

“It is a challenge,” Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Diana Greene told local media.

“You think you know what is going to happen,” Greene said. “You think you know how you are going to feel, but then when it happens, a flood of emotions came over me.”

Greene added that sales taxes fund will not be used in updating the school names. Instead, the Jacksonville Jaguars football team has agreed to give $200,000 to update home uniforms for the secondary schools.