Board directs survey on potential renaming of Cesar Chavez High School

The Stockton Unified Board of Trustees discussed whether to pursue renaming Cesar Chavez High School and directed staff to draft a community survey to gather stakeholder input.

Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez described board policy 7310 and the required steps for a name change: create a citizens advisory committee, hold public hearings and return a recommendation to the board. Rodriguez told trustees the district found no state funding for renaming and estimated a one-time fiscal impact of about $2,000,000 if a new name kept the initials CCHS or about $3,000,000 if it did not. "This money would come out of our general fund," Rodriguez said, noting the cost would include signage, athletic uniforms, marquees and digital systems.

Trustees debated timing and scope. Vice President Shauna Priest said the cost was "alarming" given general-fund constraints and suggested the board not rush into action. Trustee Kanitha Stevens urged educating the community about what $2–3 million would mean in practical terms, and Trustee Isabel Perez recommended surveying graduates and current students. Rodriguez recommended using ParentSquare for broad outreach and offering the survey in multiple languages. The board asked staff to preview the survey in open session before release and to include stakeholder delineations (parent, student, community member) in results reporting.

Rodriguez underscored that allegations related to Cesar Chavez remain unresolved in court and that the board was not taking action tonight: "We are having a discussion so we can do it in public," she said. The board agreed to proceed with a draft survey and additional prework rather than immediately forming an advisory committee or taking formal action.