In Shenandoah County, there are two schools named after Confederate soldiers and leaders— Stonewall Jackson High School and Ashby Lee Elementary School.  As a school system that claims to be inclusive and non discriminatory towards all races, it is counterproductive to have schools named after racist leaders. What “Stonewall” Jackson and Robert E. Lee stood and fought for was the right to own African American slaves. The names and people associated with the two schools is inherently racist and dangerous. These names representing an environment that is so essential to all children is dangerous, as it automatically places African American children in a position of inferiority. If the school system is truly inclusive and non discriminatory, the names should be changed immediately to rid the racist narrative and values attached to them. 

This petition will be sent straight to the school board for consideration. We will not stop demanding the name change and sending out this petition until our goal is accomplished. Additional information and resources regarding this as well as updates will be provided shortly and as they become available.