On May 12, the Delano Joint Union High School District (DJUHSD) Board of Trustees held its regular meeting, where one agenda item focused on the proposed renaming of Cesar E. Chavez High School.
Lorraine Alvarez, chairperson of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee for the Cesar E. Chavez School renaming process, presented a report detailing the committee’s work, which focused on reviewing the proper disciplining options. The committee was first established on March 24 per the board of trustees attempt to provide a transparent and meaningful process in the renaming process of Cesar E. Chavez High School. The committee included parents, school administrators, teachers, current students, alumni, and community members. On April 16, an informational meeting was held to outline the guidelines, establish criteria, and introduce the list of potential name options.
The proposed names remained the same ten options previously introduced, including Mountain View High School, El Dorado High School, Unity High School, Harvest High School, South Delano High School, Century High School, Memorial High School, Freedom High School, Millennium High School, and International High School.
According to Alvarez, the committee met again on April 30 to review survey data and evaluate how each name aligned with the school’s mission, motto, academic achievement, and overall culture. Through this process, the committee narrowed its recommendations to three finalists: El Dorado High School, Unity High School, and Mountain View High School. These names were then included in a second, more community-focused survey distributed through the district’s website.
“This matrix allowed the committee to examine how each finalist’s name aligned with key considerations, such as ties to the global community, at like competitiveness, school channels, and spirit, neutrality, and broad appeal,” said Alvarez
El Dorado High School ultimately received the highest number of votes, followed by Unity High School and Mountain View High School. The committee also invited public comment, providing community members an opportunity to share their perspectives.
“Following these public comments, committee members engaged and extended the discussion focused on alignment and neutrality. Members emphasize the importance of recommending a name that is neutral and inclusive. One not tied to a specific individual or ideology, one that students, family, staff, and alumni could feel the shared sense of belonging both now and in the future,” said Alvarez.
In a second round of voting, committee members then decided, by a majority vote of seven, that Unity High School should be considered the best, as it represents and embodies the key values of the community there.
“The committee is confident that Unity High School best represents an inclusive future-focused identity that can unite students, alumni, and staff,” said Alvarez.
Silvia Jaques, a Cesar Chavez staff member and mother of children who have attended the high school, addressed the board during public comment and urged them to conduct further research on options for renaming the school.
Jacques also serves on the advisory committee and addressed the committee, questioning how they reached the decision regarding Unity High School.
Jaques also questioned the board’s urgency regarding the name change as she believes that the situation has ‘disappeared’. Additionally, she recommended that the board consider keeping the acronym CCHS for the school, as it might be more costly.
“That outcome may have been different under other circumstances,” said Jacques.
