In a controversial move, the Shenandoah County education board voted 5-1 to restore the names of Confederate generals to two schools, overturning their 2020 decision.
Mountain View High School will revert to Stonewall Jackson High, and Honey Run Elementary School will become Ashby Lee Elementary once again. The decision marks the first reversal of its kind in the U.S., contrasting with the nationwide trend of removing Confederate symbols from public spaces.
The names honor Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and Turner Ashby, prominent military leaders of the Confederacy. Any funds for the changes must come from private sources.
This action diverges from the pattern set by over 60 schools nationwide, which had renamed buildings and institutions following racial justice protests sparked by George Floyd’s murder in 2020.
The debate reflects deep divisions within the community. Supporters of the name restoration argue for preserving Southern heritage and history.
They highlight surveys showing over 90% support for reverting to the Confederate names. However, opponents view such symbols as remnants of a racist ideology perpetuating the “Lost Cause” myth and Jim Crow era.
The decision has sparked intense reactions, with one local group lamenting the honoring of figures associated with slavery and segregation. They vow to continue promoting a comprehensive understanding of history.
The political landscape of the school board has shifted, with growing conservatism influencing the decision. Vice Chairman Kyle Gutshall, who opposed the change, noted the overwhelming local support for retaining the current names.
The reinstatement of Confederate names underscores ongoing tensions over racial symbolism and historical interpretation in American communities.
