Austin ISDHyde Park residents are lobbying for a name change of a neighborhood elementary school.

Robert E. Lee Elementary School was founded in 1939 and named after the general who commanded the Confederate Army during the Civil War.

Efforts from Hyde Park residents and parents of students to change the name have gained traction in recent weeks. Opponents argue the school name sends the wrong message to students and others in the community.

“I am for the change,” said Pete Gilcrease, president of Friends of Hyde Park, a local grassroots neighborhood association run mostly online. “Minorities in the area are all very vocal for the change. They are the most passionate, we should be considerate to their opinions and beliefs. It might be the most respectful thing to do.”

Friends of Hyde Park members recently conducted an online vote concerning the name change that concluded July 6. There were 140 votes cast, with 100 people in favor of changing the Lee Elementary name.

“Friends of Hyde Park believes that the community is ready for a change in name,” Hyde Park resident Teresa Griffin said. “We are emailing Councilwoman Tovo for her formal support on this issue and will be working hand-in-hand with Lee [Elementary] parents, students and alumni on the next steps with the school district to make sure Robert E. Lee Elementary's name changes very soon.”

Austin ISD already has a set process for naming—or, in this case, renaming—schools. That process be used to dictate this process, according to the school district.

“The first step is getting the issue put on the agenda for the next general board meeting,” Austin ISD spokesperson Jacob Barrett said. “The board meets every month of the year, excluding July, which means the next meeting won’t be until August.”

Agendas are sometimes set months in advance, and it is possible that the name change proposition won’t make the August docket, he said.

After the name change proposition is brought before the board, district trustees will discuss the issue and then vote on whether to consider any name change. If they choose to do so, then AISD policy states they must first reach out to the community for suggestions on what new name to call the elementary school. After deciding on a new name, the district will go forth with changing the signs, plaques, registration and any other official wording that refers to the school as Robert E. Lee Elementary.

If the nine-member school board votes against the name change, then the name will remain as is. Policy also requires the board to identify funding sources to help offset the cost of any name change. The money could come from community donations or the district itself.

There are numerous other instances of Texas schools named after confederate officers.