School Names Restored!
By: Lewis Michael
In a notable decision, the Shenandoah County School Board voted 5-1 to revert to the original names of two schools that were previously changed due to their Confederate associations by the 2020-21 School Board. The Vote took place in the early hours of May 10, 2024 after an over 6 hour long meeting.
The school board voted to restore Mountain View High School to it’s original name : Stonewall Jackson High School. Honey Run Elementary was restored to Ashby Lee Elementary.
The decision sent shockwaves across Virginia and the United States, with Shenandoah County being the first in the country to push back against the removal of school names initiated by the death of George Floyd in Minnesota.
Here’s a synopsis of what each school board member voiced during the historic meeting:
District 2 Representative Street : (Yes)
Tom Streett expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision-making process surrounding the renaming of schools. He criticized the 2020 renaming process, which he believed lacked transparency and community involvement. Streett emphasized the importance of accountability, respect, and loyalty in leadership. He also addressed the topic of a recent survey, highlighting that even though 83% of respondents did not return it, their voices should still be heard. Ultimately, he clarified that the results of a community vote are determined by those who participate, emphasizing individual choice in the matter.
District 5 Board Representative Rutz: (Yes)
Brandi Rutz, expressed her desire for a more inclusive solution that considers everyone’s perspective. She criticized the process from four years ago, emphasizing that denying the issue is dismissive and wrong. Rutz highlighted the significance of individual rights under the flag as the foundation of the country. She cautioned against a further divide over this issue. Acknowledging past mistakes, she apologized for any incorrect actions by the previous board members. Rutz also addressed the perceived culture war, noting that many residents who moved to the area still embraced it as their home despite the school’s name. She urged moving beyond identity politics and treating each other as individuals, referencing Clarence Thomas’s experiences growing up in the South.
District 3 Board Representative Carlineo: (Yes)
Gloria Carlineo highlighted the importance of moving toward racial harmony by avoiding divisive labels. She expressed concern that baseless accusations and name-calling perpetuate resentment and racial divides. Carlineo urged addressing true cases of racism while avoiding overgeneralization. She emphasized the significance of a fair process, acknowledging that our nation’s foundation rests upon it. Carlineo proposed implementing a better policy to involve affected communities in future decisions, ensuring transparency and clarity.
District 6 Board Representative Rickard: (Yes)
Mike Rickard voiced his stance on the importance of community involvement in decision-making processes. He applauded the students who courageously stayed for the meeting and expressed his commitment to representing the people who elected him. Rickard reviewed the policy on school names, noting that the local community’s preference should be respected. He compiled a list of individuals who reached out to him via email, totaling 260 names. While 118 favored keeping the current names, 144 supported restoring the original names. Rickard also considered the case of Massanutten Regional Governors School, recognizing their distinct identity. Reflecting on the Triplett school, he questioned the lack of requests for a name change despite its association with a slave owner. Rickard believed that the debate was politically driven and approached the issue with compassion and prayerful consideration.
District 4 Board Representative, Vice Chairperson Gutshall: (No)
Kyle Gutshall acknowledged the challenging and divisive nature of the school renaming issue, which has spanned 2 to 4 years. He emphasized the importance of perspective and community feedback. Gutshall recognized that while some constituents no longer felt strongly about the issue, others remained passionate. He discussed survey data, noting that relying solely on one survey with 1,300 respondents wasn’t ideal. He expressed trust in people’s perspectives and their connection to the school names. Despite personal beliefs, Gutshall committed to representing District 4 constituents who reached out to him, recognizing the complexity of the decision and the need to consider multiple viewpoints.
District 1 Board Representative, Chairperson Barlow: (Yes)
Dennis Barlow reflected on the historical context surrounding the school renaming issue. He recalled 1959, not as the era of Massive Resistance, but as a time when the centennial of the Civil War was significant. Barlow acknowledged that war is hell, and both sides had their heroes and heroines. He emphasized that it’s no longer 1959 or 1861, and people’s perspectives have evolved. Barlow appreciated the Christian concept of the universal priesthood of believers, emphasizing equality and shared responsibility. Drawing from his extensive experience in international diplomacy and military work, he highlighted the hypocrisy of racial divisions among soldiers. Barlow challenged accusations of racism, recognizing the complexity of the issue and the hyperbolic rhetoric surrounding it .
During the over six-hour meeting, board member Gloria Carlineo again emphasized that opponents of the Confederate names should “stop bringing racism and prejudice into everything” because it “detracts from true cases of racism.” The lone board member who voted against restoring the names, Kyle Gutshall. He believed that a majority of residents in his district wanted to retain the names. “It’s a complex issue”, he said. Gutshall’s vote was surprising to many of his supporters though. Much like former School Board Chairperson Marty Helsley, he had strongly advocated against the original name changes before changing his stance. Gutshall has lobbied against the name changes during his campaign for office and during his entire tenure in office.
The motion approved by the school board states that private donations will be used to pay for the name changes. Led by the Coalition for Better Schools, that work continues presently and is expected to be completed soon.
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