Spurred By Violence In Charlottesville, Oklahoma City Public School Leaders Consider Changing School Names

• Emily Wendler
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  Emily Wendler joined KOSU in February 2015, following graduate school at the University of Montana. While studying Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism with an emphasis on agriculture, a professor introduced her to radio and she fell in love. The Cincinnati native has since reported for KBGA, University of Montana’s college radio station, and Montana’s PBS Newsbrief. She was a finalist in a national in-depth radio reporting competition for an investigatory piece she produced on campus rape. She also produced in-depth reports on wind energy and local food for Montana Public Radio. Since moving to Oklahoma, Emily's work has won many awards and has been featured on NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered.

Emily Wendler / StateImpact Oklahoma

Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Aurora Lora is considering changing the names of four elementary schools.

Recent violent events in Charlottesville have spurred Oklahoma City Public School board members to consider the significance of school names like Lee, Jackson, Stand Watie, and Wheeler.

The four schools are named after Confederate Civil War officers, and board members have expressed interest in changing the school names.

Superintendent Aurora Lora supports the idea, and said it’s appropriate to consider whether the Confederate officers represent the values of the school district in 2017.

“Diversity is what makes our school district really special,” she said, “And I want to make sure every student feels valued, and if school names are something that are not helping kids feel valued then I would support changing those.”

Lora said she intends to engage the school’s communities in conversations about the names, and gauge whether there’s enthusiasm for changing them.

“I’m not interested in forcing a name change on any community that does not feel it’s necessary,” she said.

Lora said she’s already heard from some families that think the names are offensive, and others who say they’re a part of history and should stay.

She says the community conversations will last throughout the school year, and if a majority of people are in favor of change, she’ll make a proposal to the school board. The ultimate vote will then be up to the school board.