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Chavez renaming committee narrows 77 submissions to 16 finalists, removes one nomination after concerns
Summary
The Chavez School renaming committee voted July 22 to send 16 candidate names to a July 30 public hearing. Facilitator Chelsea removed one nomination, Juan Jose Lopez, after reporting "concerning feedback" and consulting MMSD counsel; the committee approved the 16-name list unanimously.
The Chavez school renaming committee advanced 16 names to a July 30 public hearing after a full evening of discussion and scoring on July 22. Facilitator Chelsea said the committee had narrowed 77 initial submissions using a rubric and a bucket system, and—after deliberation—moved the finalists forward for additional public comment and a final rescore in August.
Chelsea told the committee she had received "concerning feedback" about a submission for Juan Jose Lopez, consulted Madison Metropolitan School District legal counsel and her supervisor, and recommended removing that name from the final list. After no member asked the name to remain, she removed it from consideration and the facilitator said she would not send it to public hearing. "To keep our processes efficient, forward-looking, and fully aligned with 6700 and the district vision, my recommendation as district representative is that the committee consider removing Juan Jose Lopez from our final list," she said. The facilitator characterized her step as a recommendation shaped by consultations with legal counsel; the committee did not hold a separate roll-call vote to retain the name.
After finalizing the list (and excluding Juan Jose Lopez), Jamal moved that the 16 names be sent to public hearing; the motion was seconded and the committee approved it without objection. Chelsea outlined next steps: a July 30 virtual public hearing (7:30–8:30 p.m.), a 14‑day written‑comment window, a rescore of the 16 names at an August 13 meeting, and a board vote planned for August 24. She also said staff would compile and supply a packet of all public comments for committee review before the August meeting.
The committee’s narrowed list includes place-based options, values-based names and deceased community figures; Chelsea said the approach aims to balance representation, historical ties and community interest. She reminded members the final four names for the board would be submitted in mid‑August after the public comment period and the second scoring round.
