The Loudoun County School Board has directed Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) staff to move forward with the potential renaming of nine schools. The direction includes having staff form Renaming Committees for Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School and Mercer Middle School at the start of the 2024-2025 school year. A town hall will be held regarding Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School to elicit community feedback.
In addition, staff will return to the Board in the fall of 2024 to provide potential process timelines for the remaining seven schools. This process will follow School Board Policy 6510, which includes a requirement for an opportunity for public engagement and diverse representation on the renaming committees.
“As we continue to move through this exploratory process to determine the impact of renaming certain schools, my goal is to ensure that we’re engaging the community in these discussions and particularly elevating the voices and experiences of our students, staff and families,” said Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence. “This remains an ongoing process, and through open dialogue and collaboration, we are dedicated to creating an educational environment centered on a culture of belonging and excellence."
This process began in June 2020, when the School Board initiated an action plan to combat systemic racism, including a review of all LCPS facility names and mascots. Loudoun County Public Schools contracted with a third party, History Matters, LLC., which specializes in historic resource documentation, to conduct the comprehensive review.
“The Loudoun County School Board is dedicated to ensuring the names and mascots of our schools and facilities accurately reflect our vision, mission and values,” stated Board Chair Melinda Mansfield. “Every aspect of our schools should be positive, inclusive and healthy for the entire community. I respect the role that history plays in our community and I look forward to the constructive and passionate conversations that will no doubt occur as we move forward through this endeavor, but I also feel our priority must be to ensure all students and staff have a safe place to work and learn where they feel seen, heard and valued.”
The schools identified for further investigation are:
Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School
Mercer Middle School
Belmont Ridge Middle School
Belmont Station Elementary School
Seldens Landing Elementary School
Sully Elementary School
Hutchison Farm Elementary School
Ball’s Bluff Elementary School
Emerick Elementary School
Published June 12, 2024