In a striking reversal, the Shenandoah County School Board has voted to restore the names of Confederate generals to its schools, a decision that has reignited a fiery debate in the community. The vote, held on Thursday, marks a significant shift from the board’s 2020 decision to remove these names in response to nationwide discussions on Confederate symbols.
Previously known as Mountain View High School, the school will now return to its former name, Stonewall Jackson High School, honoring the famed Confederate general. Similarly, Honey Run Elementary School will be renamed Ashby Lee Elementary School, a name that commemorates both General Robert E. Lee and Turney Ashby, a noted cavalry commander who died in the Civil War.
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This decision is notable as it marks the first restoration of former Confederate names since many institutions began reassessing such symbols. Education Week highlighted that before this reversal, approximately 60 schools had been named after Confederate leaders. The move by the Shenandoah board was spurred by a petition in April, which argued that these names “hold historical significance and have been integral parts of our community for many years.”
According to the petition, an overwhelming majority, over 90 percent of respondents, supported the reinstatement of these historical names. The petitioners contended, “We understand that the decision to rename these schools was made in response to discussions surrounding Confederate symbols. However, we believe that revisiting this decision is essential to honor our community’s heritage and respect the wishes of the majority.”
