March 29, 2023: Charlottesville School Board will vote on affirming a name change for Burnley-Moran and Johnson, but will pause on voting on specific name recommendations to allow the staff and the school communities time to explore other names that are better reflective of the schools’ purpose and place.

Dear Burnley-Moran and Johnson communities–

Thanks for your ongoing involvement as we continue the process of evaluating new names for your schools. As you know, based on community feedback, the Naming of Schools Facilities Committee recommended changing the names of the schools and identified two name recommendations (Blue Mountain for Burnley-Moran; Cherry Avenue for Johnson).

At their April 13 School Board meeting, the Board plans to vote on affirming the idea of changing these two schools’ names, but they and Dr. Gurley would like to pause on the actual selection of the two new names.

The hope is that with further time for reflection, we will find names that more fully align with the guiding principles of purpose and place. 

• A name with “purpose” might be values-driven or aspirational. A name filled with purpose would communicate our goal of helping students be their best selves and make our world better. The new names for Venable (Trailblazer) and Clark (Summit) demonstrate purpose–inviting students to be trailblazers or to reach new summits.
• A name with “place” might focus on the local schools’ own history or geographic location. Again, at Venable, the name “Trailblazer” honors the school’s history as a site where members of the Charlottesville 12 desegregated our schools. Clark’s mountain views and the fact that it is situated on high ground in Belmont led to the selection of “Summit.”

It may not be possible to find names for Burnley-Moran and Johnson that combine both purpose and place, but we would like to slow down the name selection process to give us the best chance of finding lastingly meaningful and fitting names for our schools.

Next Steps

• Division staff are reaching out to horticulturalists and other local experts who can generate some ideas inspired by plants, trees, or geographical features that are unique or local to Charlottesville or these schools.
• The facilitators who are helping to develop the next Charlottesville Schools strategic plan will meet with Burnley-Moran and Johnson staff members to consider name possibilities. Depending on whether each school’s staff emerges with a single recommendation or a few finalist names (or if they need additional time), we will craft a plan moving forward.
• Have a nomination for us to consider? Let us know. We received a number of nominations in the initial survey but are still listening. Just remember that the committee has decided against selecting new names that honor people.
• We’ll keep our students posted – especially our third- and fourth-graders who already expressed some of their ideas as part of this process.

Thanks for your patience and ongoing support!

March 2, 2023: Charlottesville Schools Committee to Recommend Burnley-Moran Become Blue Mountain Elementary and Johnson Become Cherry Avenue Elementary

A committee reviewing the names of city schools plans to recommend that the School Board vote to rename Burnley-Moran Elementary as Blue Mountain Elementary, and Johnson Elementary as Cherry Avenue Elementary. The Board will hear this recommendation at their March 2 meeting, with a vote expected at their April 13 meeting.

In January the Charlottesville City Schools Naming of Facilities Committee collected and reviewed public feedback – including a student vote at each school – indicating community support for changing the names of Burnley-Moran Elementary and Johnson Elementary. In February, the committee surveyed staff at each of those two schools to give additional input about the top two name choices at each school.

The task of the Naming of Facilities Committee is to make a recommendation to the Charlottesville City School Board for each school on the question of whether its name is in alignment with the division’s current values, particularly racial equity. In the case of Burnley-Moran and Johnson, the three namesakes of these schools—Carrie Burnley, Sarepta Moran, and James G. Johnson—all served Charlottesville’s racially segregated white schools as teacher, principal, or superintendent. The public feedback and the committee’s decision recognized that, regardless of the accomplishment or merit of these individuals, these schools’ names commemorate an era of segregated education that no longer reflects the division’s values.

In January, after a review process by the Naming of Facilities Committee, the School Board voted to rename Venable Elementary as Trailblazers Elementary, and Clark Elementary as Summit Elementary.

February 3, 2023: Naming Committee Plans Recommendation to Change Names of Burnley-Moran and Johnson; Additional Feedback from School Staffs Among Final Name Choices

After reviewing feedback from the community that indicated community support for changing the names of Burnley-Moran and Johnson, the Naming of Facilities community is planning to recommend new names for the schools. Both schools have two possible new names that have received about equal support (at Burnley-Moran, Blue Mountain and Rivanna; at Johnson, Cherry Avenue and Forest Hills). The committee will survey both schools’ staffs to guide the choice about which name to recommend for each school.

The task of the Naming of Facilities Committee is to make a recommendation to the Charlottesville City School Board for each school on the question of whether its name is in alignment with the division’s current values, particularly racial equity. In the case of Burnley-Moran and Johnson, the three namesakes of these schools—Carrie Burnley, Sarepta Moran, and James G. Johnson—all served Charlottesville’s racially segregated white schools as teacher, principal, or superintendent. The public feedback and the committee’s decision recognized that, regardless of the accomplishment or merit of these individuals, these schools’ names commemorate an era of segregated education that no longer reflects the division’s values.

More Information about Methods of Receiving Feedback
On January 13, a survey about the names opened to the public, including school staff, families, and community members. The survey received 396 submissions. On January 26, a community forum with 34 in attendance was held to discuss the names. On January 30, third- and fourth-grade students were polled about the matter. In addition, for Johnson, the committee has tasked Ms. Beth Cheuk and Mr. James Bryant (School Board chair) to reach out to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Williams and the four students who initially desegregated Johnson School for their perspective on the naming change.

Burnley-Moran Feedback
Regarding the name Burnley-Moran, 61 percent of survey respondents showed support for changing the name, while 23 percent indicated that the name should not change, a margin of about 3 to 1 in favor of a name change (3 in favor, 1 opposed). Another 16 percent selected a middle option of neither supporting nor opposing a change. In addition, participants were asked, “In case we decide to pick a new name, please rank these suggestions and add your own ideas, below!” The suggestions that received the highest votes were Blue Mountain (177 first- and second-place votes) and Rivanna (221 first- and second-place votes).

At the community forum, the public survey results were presented, and a variety of perspectives were heard. Two descendents of Ms. Burnley and Ms. Moran expressed their desire that either the names not be changed, or that all the school names be changed. There was a reminder that these were the first female principals in our schools at a time when there was predominantly male leadership.

At the student vote, Blue Mountain (or a variant, Blue Ridge Mountain) received 50 votes, while Rivanna received 17. Abstentions and write-ins were also accepted, with 20 of the 103 students writing that they wished to keep Burnley-Moran.

Johnson Feedback
Regarding the name Johnson, 50 percent of survey respondents showed support for changing the name, while 30 percent indicated that the name should not change, a closer margin of 5 to 3 in favor of a name change (5 in favor, 3 opposed). Another 20 percent selected a middle option of neither supporting nor opposing a change. In addition, participants were asked, “In case we decide to pick a new name, please rank these suggestions and add your own ideas, below!” The suggestions that received the highest votes were Cherry Avenue (150 first- and second-place votes) and Forest Hills (139 first- and second-place votes). Because of the school’s significant Civil Rights history, there were also suggestions that alluded to this history. Of these, the highest vote-getter was Landmark, which received 68 first- and second-place votes, or fourth overall.

Again, at the community forum, the public survey results were presented, and a variety of perspectives were heard. Ms. Scheryl WIlliams Glanton, who was one of four to first desegregate the school, expressed the view that she disagreed with the Naming Committee’s decision to not select new school names in honor of individuals. She described her parents’ sacrifices during the Civil Rights era both generally and in particular as part of the effort to desegregate Johnson. In addition, the Johnson discussion featured remarks by some participants that students and the community had connections with the names and didn’t want a change.

At the student vote, Cherry Avenue received 17 votes, Forest Hills received 21, and Landmark received 17. Abstentions and write-ins were also accepted, with 28 of the 103 students writing that they wished to keep Johnson.

As requested, Mr. Bryant and Ms. Cheuk reached out to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Williams and the four students who initially desegregated Johnson School for their perspective on the possible name change, including the question of whether a name that referenced the school’s Civil Rights history would be preferred. Mr. Williams expressed no opinion about the name itself but wanted to be sure that students are taught local history, especially about the schools. Mr. Williams’ daughters expressed the view that a new name should honor their parents. Mr. Mike Lewis deferred to the wishes of the local community (but stated his appreciation for the name Trailblazers that had been selected at Venable, honoring the Charlottesville 12 and other students and families who desegregated our schools). Ms. Rosalind Whitlock has not been available for discussion.

The Naming of Facilities Committee Meeting
The committee discussed the results of both the public and students surveys, including break-outs of staff data from the larger survey. They also heard a recap of the discussions from the public forum.

Among the discussion topics was the idea of whether the decision to keep or change the school names was centered on the individuals’ own biographies or the larger era of school segretation. All three of the current namesakes served white-only schools as teacher, principal, or superintendent during the era of school segregation. In other words, the names evoke and honor an era (school segregation) that does not reflect our current values and work.

While the committee felt that the data from Burnley-Moran (at 60 percent, or about 3-to-1 in favor of a name change) was clear, there were some who noted the Johnson data was less clear (at 50 percent, or 5-to-3 in favor of a name change). Others pointed out that at 50 percent, the largest group of Johnson respondents was in favor of a name change, compared to 30 percent against and 20 percent undecided.

After additional discussion, the committee voted to recommend a name change for both schools, with the decision focusing on the era that the schools represented instead of the personal contributions of the individuals. The committee expressed appreciation for the varying perspectives expressed as part of this process and recognizes that there are differences of opinion.

Members also discussed the data about a preference for possible new names, including submissions from both the public and students. The suggestion of Williams from Ms. Glanton was discussed but the committee reiterated their position that they would not select a new name honoring individuals. Since for both schools, the data ranked two names at fairly equal votes (Blue Mountain and Rivanna at Burnley-Moran, and Cherry Avenue and Forest Hills at Johnson), the committee decided to request additional feedback from those schools’ staff, with a follow-up vote among those remaining choices Once this is completed, the committee will meet again to develop a final recommendation to share with the Board at the March meeting.

The name Summit Elementary evokes the school’s mountain views; it is also meant to encourage students to both reach new heights and consider themselves “a gathering of leaders,” touching on three meanings of the word summit. The name Clark was for Gen. George Rogers Clark, a Revolutionary War leader who also enslaved people and led in the genocide against Native Americans.

The name Trailblazers Elementary honors the Charlottesville 12, the students who first desegregated Venable Elementary and Lane High School, as well as their parents and other early desegregation trailblazers in Charlottesville Schools. The name is also an invitation to current students to continue blazing new trails today. The name Venable was for Col. Charles S. Venable, a member of the Confederate Army and math professor at the University of Virginia who ardently perpetuated damaging myths about slavery throughout his life.

The School Board voted on these names after hearing recommendations from the Naming of Facilities Committee, which had gathered community feedback via several public forums and surveys. The committee also heard from third and fourth graders at each of the two schools. In addition, for the naming of Venable, members of the Charlottesville 12 were consulted throughout the process.

Clark and Venable were the first two Charlottesville schools to have their names reviewed. The Naming of Facilities Committee will meet next week to begin its review of the names of Burnley-Moran Elementary and Johnson Elementary. Information about both of those schools’ namesakes—and other materials relating to the process of reviewing school names in Charlottesville—can be found at charlottesvilleschools.org/school-names.

If the committee recommends new names for Burnley-Moran and Johnson, it plans to avoid new names that honor an individual, as well as geographical places with associations that do not reflect the division’s values (like Belmont or Monticello, which are both connected with plantations and slavery). Instead, the committee will seek out names that are “aspirational” or that honor the school or community’s history and geography.

A timeline for implementation has not yet been finalized. The earliest date would be August 2023, but depending on whether other name changes are announced this spring, there could be a decision to implement all name changes at once, perhaps in August 2024. Division leaders will work closely with school leaders to make these changes as seamless and comprehensive as possible.

Why not just keep the old names but pick a new namesake?

• Community surveys indicated there was mixed opinion about whether to select brand-new names or “repurpose” the names by finding new namesakes. Ultimately the committee decided that to maintain the names – even with new namesakes – would uphold the connection to two people who directly enslaved people, perpetuated damaging myths about slavery, and/or led in the genocide against Native Americans.

What criteria has the committee used to select name options? 

• The committee is interested in names that are “aspirational,” names that communicate our goal of helping students be their best selves and make our world better (such as trailblazers or people who reach new summits).
• The committee is also interested in names that mark our history. For instance, the name “Trailblazers” at Venable helps people honor and remember the school’s history as a site where members of the Charlottesville 12 desegregated our schools.
• The committee is also considering names that situate the school in its unique place (for example: the neighborhood, geographic features, or nearby streets). Clark’s mountain views led to the idea of “summit.”
• In short, we are seeking names that convey the schools’ purpose or place.

Are there criteria for names the committee will avoid?

• The committee is avoiding new names that honor an individual.
• In addition, the committee is avoiding geographical names with problematic associations (like Belmont or Monticello, which are both connected with plantations and slavery).