The Montgomery County Board of Education received a staff report and community engagement summary on a petition to rename Colonel Zadok Magruder High School during the Feb. 5 business meeting. The petition, filed by members of the Magruder community in February 2023, asked the board to change the school name because of Magruder's historical ties to slavery.

Staff described the FFA policy process for renaming school facilities, explained the outreach and dialogues conducted in fall 2023 (including surveys that produced mixed results), and provided a cost estimate for rebranding the school. MCPS staff estimated one-time costs associated with renaming and re-branding (new building signage, repainting, athletics uniforms and field/gym branding, stationery and administrative materials) in the neighborhood of $1 million, depending on scope and whether school colors or mascots were also changed.

Community input reported by staff showed the community was split: about 43% of respondents to the district's survey opposed changing the name, about one-third supported changing it, and 25% were unsure. Supporters cited potential positive effects on student wellbeing and alignment with current district values; opponents cited tradition and the additional cost.

After extended discussion and a procedural motion about whether to link renaming to a future capital improvement project to avoid a near-term operating appropriation, the board did not complete a final renaming vote during the meeting. Board members repeatedly asked staff to provide educational materials and engage the school community about the school's history as part of the continuing process; staff said they would follow up.

Ending: The board's technical and procedural discussion left the item for future consideration with direction for additional community education and further review of budget and timing options (operating budget vs. CIP funding). No final renaming action was taken at this meeting.