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Teachers, parents and residents split as Las Cruces board hears public comment on Cesar Chavez Elementary name
Summary
Las Cruces Public Schools held a special meeting April 8 to gather public comment on whether to remove Cesar Chavez's name from Cesar Chavez Elementary; speakers included teachers, alumni and residents who disagreed over the allegations, cost estimates of $20,000–$30,000, and whether the board should act without further investigation.
The Las Cruces Public Schools Board met in a special session on April 8 to hear community input on whether to remove Cesar Chavez's name from Cesar Chavez Elementary. Board President Court opened the meeting at 5:38 p.m., set public-comment limits to three minutes per speaker and said the board would not take action that night.
Supporters of keeping the school's name argued the board should not erase an emblem of Mexican American labor history over decades-old allegations. "Why is Las Cruces considering erasing the name of a school that honors a Mexican American icon, a man who fought for farm workers' rights?" asked Juan Garcia. Garcia also noted an estimated renaming cost of "$20,000 to $30,000," and asked whether those funds should instead go to students and staff.
Several teachers and staff expressed concern about the effect on students and district finances. Lacey Parks, the school's PE teacher, said she opposed a renaming and urged the district to prioritize staff retention and building needs. "For me, being against the name change is about the funding," Parks said, adding that the district lacks funds to keep current teachers. Stephanie Cardona, a counselor at the school for 16 years, questioned how much staff and student input would matter given board policy giving the board final authority.
Other speakers urged removal of the name, citing reporting and allegations. "According to the New York Times, DNA evidence has been used to substantiate the victims' claims, and the United Farm Workers have acknowledged these allegations," said Lisa Weinbaum, a 29-year district teacher, and she urged the board to stop honoring Cesar Chavez at an elementary school. Jim Horst, another commenter, said Dolores Huerta is "a very credible witness" and argued that if the allegations are true the district should not honor Chavez.
Public commenters also pushed procedural points: several asked for wider community engagement, including surveys of parents and staff, and multiple speakers raised the budgetary trade-offs of rebranding. Alice Lara asked the board to consult directly with parents and teachers and to clarify the $20,000 estimate before moving forward.
President Court reminded the audience that the meeting's sole purpose was to receive public comment and that the board would not vote that evening. Earlier in the session the board approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from March 24 by voice vote. After public comment concluded and no additional speakers arrived, the board adjourned at 6:03 p.m.
The issue remains unresolved; the board did not make a decision at the April 8 special meeting and offered no immediate timetable for further action.
