VA City Renames School After Obama As It Scraps Confederate General Name

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Barack Obama waves goodbye to the audience as he attends a talk at the Art Gallery Of NSW on March 23, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. The former US president is on a private speaking tour o... SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Barack Obama waves goodbye to the audience as he attends a talk at the Art Gallery Of NSW on March 23, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. The former US president is on a private speaking tour of Australia and New Zealand and spoke to more than 200 Australian business leaders and young entrepreneurs at the Mastercard event in Sydney. Sharing his insights on the future of innovation, President Obama's message to the audience is expected to have a lasting impact and influence on those who attended. (Photo by James D. Morgan/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A Virginia city is rebranding its only school named after a Confederate general to honor the United States’ first black president.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports the Richmond School Board voted 6-1 Monday to rename J.E.B. Stuart Elementary School to Barack Obama Elementary School. Kenya Gibson represents the school on the board and was the lone dissenting vote. Gibson wanted the vote to be delayed and said there was a lack of local names included in the administrations rebranding recommendations.

The Richmond City School Board revealed the top three possible names Monday night. Northside, Barack Obama and Wishtree took the majority of votes from the students, knocking aside suggestions like John Adams Elementary and Jackie Robinson Elementary. The board estimates it will cost about $26,000 to rename the school.

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  1. Avatar for ajrp ajrp says:

    Love this. Will make some wingnut heads explode.

  2. YAAAYH

    but ‘Wishtree’? - sheesh

  3. Avatar for caltg caltg says:

    A refreshingly progressive and positive decision for the capital of a former slave state.

    No doubt President Obama’s face is beaming.

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