Education

The Final Battle for Robert E. Lee Middle School

By Matt Trammell, Dec 14, 2020
 

SAN ANGELO, TX – The name that will replace Robert E. Lee will be chosen during Monday's San Angelo ISD School Board Meeting.

The long and drawn out battle to rename the middle school will end on Dec. 14 at 5:45 p.m. 

It began on June 5. In the wake of the death of George Floyd and numerous other African Americans, petitions began popping up calling for change. The name of Robert E. Lee Middle School ended up on a petition started by San Angeloan Jessie Ramon.

The following day another petition appeared fighting to retain the name. With that the fight was on.

In the middle of the two was the SAISD. On June 9, SAISD came out with a statement making sure the public knew they were equal to all. "San Angelo ISD embraces a school system that honors a culture that supports equity and makes our children feel safe and respected in our facilities." stated SAISD in a press release.

After a month of hearing people's opinion, SAISD stated that they were moving the topic to October.

This is when San Angelo's Civil War broke out.

The SAISD then released a new plan. "Engaging Equity Events" were set up to get perspective from a number of people. 

On August 8 a group protested the name change outside of the middle school. 

Following this, the head of the San Angelo's NAACP chapter, Shirly Spears, urged the school board to not only change the name of the middle school but Reagan Elementary as well.

The SAISD then held a two part in person session to help hear what the people wanted. During the first part of the forum Spears told the crowd to stop being racist and to take off their sheets.

During the second part of the session she claimed that she was exploited following San Angelo LIVE! running the first story. 

Following the conference the SAISD released 40 potential names for Robert E. Lee Middle School. 

Then on Oct. 19 the school board voted and killed the name of Robert E Lee Middle School. 

It took more than a month but on Nov. 23 the name was painted over. After that inclusive signs were placed over the former painting that stated "San Angelo ISD We Are #Bettertogether" and "Best of the Best San Angelo ISD."

Now the School board has narrowed down between two people Major Troy Lee Gilbert and Mary Francis Owens. 

The meeting will begin Monday evening at 5:45 p.m.

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