CMS Board to consider renaming high school named after Confederate military officer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials will consider renaming a high school that is named after a Confederate military officer. That school is Zebulon B. Vance High School in University City.

A source told WBTV the process of renaming that school will start with its meeting next week. The district will then look at potentially renaming other schools.

Zebulon Baird Vance, who died in 1894, was a North Carolina representative, governor, and senator during the American Civil War and Reconstruction eras.

During the Civil War, Vance sided with the Confederacy and organized his own company of troops. According to the University of North Carolina’s Museum of University History, Vance left the army in 1862 and served for the rest of the war as governor of North Carolina.

School board chair Elyse Dashew posted about the potential name change on Facebook Wednesday morning. Dashew says at the CMS Board meeting on Tuesday, June 23, officials will be announcing plans to rename the school.

“It is time for a new name for Zebulon B. Vance High School. Beyond time, in fact,” Dashew said.

Dashew says the school community will have a voice in determining the new name. She left two links to the policies that guide the renaming process. Click here for the Board Policy for naming of schools and click here for regulation for naming schools.

The school board chair says CMS needs to review the names of other school buildings in the school district as well. She says looks forward to leaning into the process with historians and with school communities.

“Renaming a school is symbolic. Symbols are important. But SYMBOLS must be followed up with ACTION — to reduce inequities, opportunity gaps, and racism. To promote belonging and inclusiveness and to build an environment where all children can and do excel. I am committed to action, and hope you are committed too, even when it is very difficult. This is one step in a long journey,” Dashew said.

The school board would have to convene a naming committee before changing the school’s name.

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