San Diego Unified School District Board of Education to consider initiating name change process for Cesar Chavez Elementary School

The SDUSD Board of Education will consider taking action to initiate the formal process to change the name of César Chávez Elementary School.

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Unified School District  Board of Education will consider taking action Tuesday to initiate the formal process to change the name of César Chávez Elementary School following recent allegations of sexual abuse at the hands of the late labor leader. 

“The name change is necessary. We’re talking about allegations of abuse of children, and we cannot honor that name when we’re a school district,” Richard Barrera, the President of the Board of Education, said. 

If approved, the name-changing process for César Chávez Elementary School will include the formation of a naming committee and opportunities for students, families, staff and community members to provide input. 

“Generating ideas for what a new name could be. And then having discussions. You know, a town hall meeting, letting people share ideas with each other. Talk about what’s important. What are the values that we’re trying to express?” Barrera said. 

At the State Capitol on Monday, the California Assembly unanimously passed a bill that will rename the March 31 holiday named after Chávez to “Farmworkers Day.” The bill now heads to the state senate, which is expected to send it to Governor Gavin Newsom later this week. 

And at Cal State San Marcos, a statue of Chávez has already been removed, leaving an empty space on campus. 

In San Diego, district policy typically limits the SDUSD to one school name or mascot change per year. However, Barrera tells News 8 the board’s consideration of this item reflects the significance of this moment and the need to respond thoughtfully and as soon as possible. 

“I think what we’ll do quickly is we will remove the name from the school. And remove references to the name at the school. That will be done quickly. What we do want to provide time for is this discussion about what’s the new name going to be… And maybe it’s something that can even be done before the school year ends, which is at the end of May. I think that would be the goal. So that we could begin the new school year with the new name,” Barrera said. 

The initial action to move forward with a name change will be considered at Tuesday’s SDUSD board meeting held at 5 p.m.