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Jax Chamber Board Of Directors Urges Duval County School Board To Change The Names Of Schools Named After Confederate Soldiers
The JAX Chamber Board of Directors on Friday unanimously passed a resolution urging the Duval County School Board to change the names of the six public schools that are currently named after Confederate soldiers.
Last year, Duval Schools began the extensive renaming process that includes community meetings, as well as surveys from residents, students and alumni on possible names. Duval County Schools Superintendent Diana Greene is expected to make a recommendation to the School Board for formal votes as early as next month.
“This is an economic development issue,” said JAX Chamber Chair Henry Brown, who serves as President and CEO of Miller Electric. “We are asking companies to invest here, and for top talent to move and live here. We say that we are open to everyone and I believe that we are. But, right now, we have six school names that tell African Americans otherwise.”
Currently, there are 12 schools in Florida named for Confederate soldiers, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Six of those schools are in Duval County.
“Our public schools should reflect the open, inclusive community that we are,” Brown said. “The Chamber is taking action to expand economic opportunity to everyone in our community, including creating the Lewis and White Business League and expanding the role of the JAX Chamber Foundation. Supporting the name change of these six schools is one more way for the business community to say that everyone is welcome in Jacksonville and everyone can succeed here.”
The schools are:
- J.E.B. Stuart Middle School
- Jefferson Davis Middle School
- Joseph Finegan Elementary School
- Kirby-Smith Middle School
- Stonewall Jackson Elementary School
- Robert E. Lee High School
The school renaming process also includes Andrew Jackson High School and Jean Ribault middle and high schools, but the Chamber is not taking a position on those names at this time.
About JAX Chamber
The JAX Chamber is the business membership organization dedicated to driving quality economic growth in Northeast Florida to make this region the best place to live, work and play. Membership provides the opportunity to connect with and buy from other Chamber members. The connections result in business growth and a more prosperous economy.
