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Edinburg CISD board opens public nomination process to rename Robert E. Lee Elementary after public comments
Summary
After public comment urging removal of Confederate names, trustees voted to open a formal nomination window (Aug. 12—Sept. 3) for renaming Robert E. Lee Elementary and directed public information staff to post nomination forms online and promote them on social media.
The Edinburg CISD Board of Trustees voted Aug. 11 to begin a community-led renaming process for Robert E. Lee Elementary after hearing multiple public comments urging the change. "I urge you to vote in favor of renaming Robert E. Lee Elementary," Edinburg resident Greg Rodriguez told the board during public comment and said he presented a petition with just under 1,000 signatures in support of a name change.
Dr. David Anshan, a professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, told trustees the district should not honor figures associated with slavery and urged a local name that reflects community values. "We are discovering that the symbolismof honoring the Confederacyis something that we should oppose," Anshan said.
Board members discussed process logistics and agreed to accept community nominations via an online form. The districts public information office said the nomination period will be posted on the district website beginning Aug. 12 and closing Sept. 3, and the office will publicize the call on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The board asked administration to present nominations with biographies and to bring a short list to the trustees for a final selection.
Trustee discussion focused on ensuring fairness and a clear public process given high community interest. The motion to accept community nominations and begin the renaming timeline passed on roll call; President Salinas announced the item had passed and directed administration to proceed with posting and outreach.
