SAN DIEGO, Calif. (FOX 5\/KUSI) \u2014\u00a0A San Diego school board said on Friday that it has initiated the process to change the name of one of its elementary schools bearing the name of C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez.<\/p>\n
The San Diego Unified School District Board of Education said in a news release that it has started the first step in renaming C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez Elementary School in Southcrest after sexual abuse allegations surfaced about the late labor activist.<\/p>\n
A New York Times report<\/a> on March 18 brought to light allegations that Ch\u00e1vez had sexually abused several young girls involved in the farmworkers\u2019 movement for years.<\/p>\n The investigation also detailed allegations from Dolores Huerta<\/a>, who worked alongside Ch\u00e1vez, that he sexually assaulted and coerced her, resulting in two pregnancies.<\/p>\n Following the publication of the years-long investigation, Ch\u00e1vez\u2019s name and likeness were quickly removed from facilities across California, including elementary schools, parks, street signs, universities and city buildings.<\/p>\n California democratic lawmakers are also fast-tracking legislation<\/a> to rename the holiday \u201cC\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez Day\u201d to \u201cFarmworkers Day.\u201d<\/p>\n The San Diego school board is following suit with other local schools<\/a> and the city<\/a>.<\/p>\n SDUSD said that while school board policy usually limits the district to one school name or mascot change per year, the recent allegations against Ch\u00e1vez are significant and warrant a response to community concerns.<\/p>\n The school board said it has already begun conversations with families and staff and plans to provide opportunities for community dialogue.<\/p>\n If the name change is approved, the process of choosing a new school name will include the creation of a naming committee and multiple opportunities for feedback from the community, students, families and staff.<\/p>\n A joint statement from the Board of Education and SDUSD Superintendent Dr. Fabi Bagula said:<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no place\u2014ever\u2014for the abuse of children or any person, anywhere. San Diego Unified is committed to supporting our community through this moment by creating the space and structure for thoughtful, respectful conversations\u2014grounded in truth, centered on students, and responsive to those most impacted. While Cesar Chavez has long been honored for his contributions to civil rights and farmworker advocacy, these reports are serious, concerning and deeply troubling. Our first responsibility is to acknowledge and support anyone who may have been harmed. As we move forward, including conversations about a school that bears his name, our focus will be on listening deeply to better understand the impact to the school community and how we might collectively move forward in a way that prioritizes student safety and a sense of belonging.\u201d<\/p>\n The school board did not provide a timeline for the school renaming process.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n