In Shenandoah County, Virginia, the decision by the local school board to reinstate Confederate names at two schools has reignited discussions on race, heritage, and the memory of history in American education.
In Shenandoah County, Virginia, the local school board has recently decided to reinstate Confederate names at two of its schools, a decision that has reopened debates around race and heritage. The two schools affected are Stonewall Jackson High School, which had been renamed Mountain View High School, and Ashby-Lee Elementary School, formerly Honey Run Elementary School. This decision reverses changes made in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent national reflection on racism.
The school board’s choice to restore the historical names of Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas ‘Stonewall’ Jackson to these schools has drawn both criticism and support within the community. The five to one vote showcased a significant division in public sentiment. Some residents, represented by groups like Claim the Names, have argued that returning to these names undermines the county’s reputation and fails to address the historical pain linked with Confederate figures. In contrast, proponents, motivated by historical preservation, believe the original names reflect a valuable part of local heritage.
Adding to the controversy, the Coalition for Better Schools, a local conservative group, indicated that a survey suggested community backing for the restoration. However, details about the survey’s methodology and participant numbers remain unclear.
This move has significantly stirred local public opinion, reflecting wider national conflicts over how history is remembered and taught in the wake of renewed discussions about race in America. The schools, originally named during more contemporaneous times (with Stonewall Jackson High School established in 1960), are now at the heart of a complex dialogue between history, education, and community identity.
