The Austin ISD board of trustees changed the name of Robert E. Lee Elementary School to Russell Lee Elementary School by an 8-1 vote on May 23.[/caption]
The Austin ISD board of trustees voted 8-1 to make Russell Lee Elementary School the new name for Robert E. Lee Elementary School during its regular meeting May 23.
Russell Lee was an Austinite and the first photography professor at The University of Texas at Austin. His work focused on documenting the poor and working class. According to the Lee Elementary Campus Advisory Council, an advisory group of school parents, teachers and staff, the group recommended Russell Lee for a number of reasons, including the ability to retain Lee in the name for the school.
In addition, the board approved naming the school’s Kindergarten hall after Bettie Mann, the first African-American teacher at Lee Elementary whose three sons were the first African-American students at the school.
Both name changes came after
the board voted 8-1 with one abstention to start the renaming process at its March 28 meeting.
The decision concluded months of debate on whether Lee Elementary should be renamed. School and community members urged for a name change because of Robert E. Lee’s status as a Confederate general, while those who opposed it cited historical and financial reasons, such as the cost to rename the school.
Trustee Paul Saldaña voted in opposition because he preferred naming the school after Mann, a teacher with direct history to the school, he said.
Trustee Amber Elenz, who represents the area in which Lee Elementary is located, made the motion to approve Russell Lee as the new name. Elenz said she supported renaming the school after Russell Lee even though there was an obvious sentimental favorite choice in the room, as Mann herself attended the meeting.
“Hundreds of blood, sweat and tears have gone into this decision,” Elenz said. “Yes, it continues to be an emotional and difficult choice, but as a result of my being there and seeing the work, I am able to base my rationale for this [Russell Lee] motion largely on my strong belief and faith in local control. … This name change is only happening because the school asked us.”
AISD will replace the lettering above the school entrance and on the marquee, according to AISD. AISD will also order school supplies with the new name as needed.
The Austin ISD board of trustees changed the name of Robert E. Lee Elementary School to Russell Lee Elementary School by an 8-1 vote on May 23.[/caption]
The Austin ISD board of trustees voted 8-1 to make Russell Lee Elementary School the new name for Robert E. Lee Elementary School during its regular meeting May 23.
Russell Lee was an Austinite and the first photography professor at The University of Texas at Austin. His work focused on documenting the poor and working class. According to the Lee Elementary Campus Advisory Council, an advisory group of school parents, teachers and staff, the group recommended Russell Lee for a number of reasons, including the ability to retain Lee in the name for the school.
In addition, the board approved naming the school’s Kindergarten hall after Bettie Mann, the first African-American teacher at Lee Elementary whose three sons were the first African-American students at the school.
Both name changes came after the board voted 8-1 with one abstention to start the renaming process at its March 28 meeting.
The decision concluded months of debate on whether Lee Elementary should be renamed. School and community members urged for a name change because of Robert E. Lee’s status as a Confederate general, while those who opposed it cited historical and financial reasons, such as the cost to rename the school.
Trustee Paul Saldaña voted in opposition because he preferred naming the school after Mann, a teacher with direct history to the school, he said.
Trustee Amber Elenz, who represents the area in which Lee Elementary is located, made the motion to approve Russell Lee as the new name. Elenz said she supported renaming the school after Russell Lee even though there was an obvious sentimental favorite choice in the room, as Mann herself attended the meeting.
“Hundreds of blood, sweat and tears have gone into this decision,” Elenz said. “Yes, it continues to be an emotional and difficult choice, but as a result of my being there and seeing the work, I am able to base my rationale for this [Russell Lee] motion largely on my strong belief and faith in local control. … This name change is only happening because the school asked us.”
AISD will replace the lettering above the school entrance and on the marquee, according to AISD. AISD will also order school supplies with the new name as needed.
