Donald J. Trump Elementary
Well, it could be. After a well-attended and vociferous meeting March 28, the local school board voted to seek a new name for Robert E. Lee Elementary. But while they called for the public to submit their choices between March 29 and April 15, they added that the final decision is still theirs.
So the jury is out as to what name they’ll come up with to replace what many consider to be a racist name. But Austin Independent School District officials announced the results of the public submissions this week and of 240 votes cast, 45 were cast for Trump.
There were also eight votes for Adolf Hitler Elementary, though it is unclear if they were submitted in bad taste or a reaction to having the original name, which the school has had for 77 years, being removed.
New school names
Recently deceased author Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird) also got votes, as did Texas musician Willie Nelson. Another Texas musician to receive votes was the late, great blues guitarist, Stevie Ray Vaughn.
African-American filmmaker Spike Lee also received votes. The second-highest total of votes, 34, went to the old name, Robert E. Lee, but officials have already ruled that one out.
The meeting in March in which the vote was taken to change the name saw many citizens speak passionately for and against the change. Some argued a school named after a man who fought to keep black persons enslaved was not appropriate while others said General Robert E. Lee was a good man and claimed he did not support slavery.
The board meets on May 23 to consider what they will rename the school.
