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Board approves renaming JC Roe Center to JC Roe Academy
Summary
The board voted 7–0 to rename JC Roe Center as JC Roe Academy after school leaders said the word "center" carries an unintended stigma; the board waived parts of renaming policy to expedite the change.
The New Hanover County Schools Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to change the school’s name from JC Roe Center to JC Roe Academy. School leaders said the new name better reflects the program’s academic mission and avoids the negative connotations some community members associate with the word “center.”
Principal Michelle Kornegay told the board that students and staff at JC Roe work to support students returning to traditional high schools and that the word “center” can sound like a correctional or treatment facility. Board members praised staff and parents for presenting the request.
Because the item was added to the agenda as information earlier in the meeting, the board temporarily waived parts of school-renaming policy to allow a vote that night. The board first agreed to suspend the normal policy timeline; it then passed the renaming motion 7–0.
Board members described JC Roe as an alternative/high-support campus that focuses on reintroducing students to traditional high schools, and they said the requested change is intended to improve student pride and community perception. The board discussed process requirements for facility renaming (policy 9300) and noted that the change will require updates to signage and publications; district staff said they will coordinate printing and signage.
