Midland ISD trustees approve renaming to Midland Lee High School after hours of public comment

Midland Independent School District trustees voted on Aug. 12 to change the names of the district’s current high school and freshman campus to Midland Lee High School and Midland Lee Freshman High School beginning with the 2026–27 school year, a decision that followed hours of public testimony and drew divided reaction from trustees and the community.

The board’s vote came after a three‑hour public‑comment session in which dozens of residents, alumni, teachers and parents urged opposite outcomes. Supporters of the change argued the single‑word name honors local tradition and alumni identity; opponents said returning to any form of “Lee” resurrects a name chosen during a period of segregation and would harm students of color. “My children matter,” said Gquez Anderson, a parent who urged trustees to keep the current name; “We have to be a movement.” Teacher Taylor Daley urged trustees to retain Legacy, calling the proposed reversion “a dog whistle.”

The nut graf: trustees weighed community input, legal and budgetary questions and operational effects such as athletic eligibility before taking the decision. Superintendent Dr. Howard told trustees the district could implement a name change without amending…