Delano Joint Union High School will hold a special meeting on March 24 to consider renaming Cesar Chavez High School, prompted by a student petition following a New York Times investigation into allegations involving Cesar Chavez. The meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Robert F. Kennedy High School.
In response to the petition and increased community concern, the board of trustees noted in its proposed resolution, “The district recognizes the heightened public concern and the potential impact on students, families, and the broader Delano community. The District commits to addressing this matter thoughtfully, respectfully, and transparently.”
To support this process, Board policy 7310 and Education Code 35160-35161 provide the board with the authority to change school and building names.
With this authority, the school board is currently considering ten names as required:
- Mountain View High School
- El Dorado High School
- Millennium High School
- Memorial High School
- International High School
- South Delano High School
- Century High School
- Unity High School
- Harvest High School
- Freedom High School.
District policy stipulates that any facility built on district property must be renamed using one of these options.
Based on the proposed resolution, the high school’s name will be changed to Mountain View High School, effective immediately upon board approval.
Additionally, the board’s resolution stipulates, “The District shall remove depictions, photographs, murals, displays, or other materials bearing the name or likeness of Cesar E. Chavez from the high school and other District campuses as appropriate.”
Public comment will be available for those who wish to speak before the board makes its decision.
