On Tuesday evening, the Delano Joint Union High School District (DJUHSD) held a special meeting at Robert F. Kennedy High School (RFK) to propose renaming Cesar E. Chavez High School (CC). In a 3-2 vote, the motion passed to form a committee made up of staff, students, parents, and community partners to only consider the names from a 2002 survey.
Following the recent allegations of sexual abuse raised against the late farmwork labor advocate, Delano officials have taken it upon themselves to consider renaming the high school that bears his name. Referring back to the 2002 survey, which proposed 10 names, staff and students selected Cesar Chavez High School, with Mountain View High School as the next contender.
As a result, a motion, was then, introduced to form a committee in order to recieve community input following the list of accepted names and officials decided that on May 12, there will be another board meeting to introduce the name that will replace Cesar E. Chavez High School. The school’s mascot, the Titan, will remain unchanged regardless of the name chosen by the committee.
However, community members questioned why the school should be renamed to one of the ten names previously approved, especially since the approved names come from a multi-decade survey.
To address these concerns, Lionel Reyna, a board member, explained that selecting a name not on the survey list would cost the district to pay $100,000 to the property center.
As the discussion continued, audience members urged the board to slow the renaming process and increase community outreach. Many preferred this approach over relying solely on a multi-decade old survey.
“It was October 2011, when you decided that there would be a process for name-changing or for naming of the schools. So I am asking you, will you honor your own process and give it more time? I am in favor of having a community design, given the time for themselves to voice what they would like to see,” said Lupe Martinez, a public commentator.
Despite differing viewpoints voiced throughout the discussion, most community members supported changing the name, though some attendees opposed it.
Among those in opposition, Jacob Gutierrez expressed disappointment at how quickly the board made its decision, arguing it dishonors Chavez’s legacy in Delano.
“I’ve been disturbed by how quickly we have decided on this overnight over a person whose honor and respect have now been destroyed. These are horrible allegations, and they are only allegations,” he said. “We ought to set an example before changing the name and dishonoring a man who’s done a lot for this community.”
Amid these differing opinions, Grace Vallejo, a representative of the Chavez family, provided a statement on their behalf supporting the board of trustees’ motion to rename the school.
“We support and respect whatever decision communities make to commemorate the fight for farm workers’ rights. We hope that students who walk these hallways will remember the community’s important history and continue to embody determination and service to others,” read Vallejo.
Adding further support, Bryan Osorio, Cesar Chavez High School alumnus and Delano city council member, commended the board’s decision to change the name. He explained the delicacy required in approaching these complex issues.
“As an alumni, I support the board’s modeling and transparency of making spaces for these conversations. By having this rename, I believe you are allowing the community to heal and center the voices of survivors, and to remember that the trials of farm workers were achieved by the collective power of thousands of residents,” shared Osorio.
Continuing the theme of youth involvement, Cesar Chavez High School junior Natalie Ramirez addressed the board and audience, expressing her support and offering a youth perspective.
“As students attending the school, representing ourselves, we need to consider whether our values today fully align with everything represented. Our school should represent who we are today and what we can fully stand behind. We can respect history without being tied to it,” said Ramirez.
