Jefferson Elementary School in South Orange, New Jersey, is removing Thomas Jefferson from its name over the American founder's past slave ownership.
The name change has been a work-in-progress for over a year. Students reportedly advocated for the name change and later received the support of faculty, staff, and the board.
"Seeing the work that [the students] did, I think, exceeded the expectations of all of us who participated in that conversation, when that was the final outcome, to really engage our students and make this a real-life civics lesson with really strong connections to governance," Superintendent Robert Taylor said.
In August 2021, the South Orange Maplewood Board of Education voted to approve a resolution for the name change saying that, with "Jefferson" in its name, the school "bears the name of an enslaver committed to upholding the institution of slavery."
"I want to make that point that Thomas Jefferson owned over 600 slaves," board member Qawi Telesford said in June. "He freed two while he was alive and seven after he died, which basically means I have a 1.5% chance of being free in Thomas Jefferson's world."
"So, I am not thankful to him. I am thankful to the people who made sure that I could actually be free and be on the board with you today."
In June, the board voted 6-3 in favor of renaming the school Delia Bolden Elementary School in honor of Winnie Delia Bolden, who is reportedly the first black woman to graduate in the area.
Other name choices included "Ruth Bader Ginsburg Elementary School" and "New Legacy Elementary School."
The school's name will be officially updated by Sept. 8.
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