I called to order this. April 9th 2024 2025. Loudoun County School Board public hearing on the proposed, renaming of Frances, Hazel Reid Elementary School and Mercer Middle School Before we begin, tonight's public comments. I'd like to take a moment to address some of the dialogue that was shared from the day as last night's board meeting during the school, renaming discussion. Specifically concerning the Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School renaming committees recommended name of loving
Elementary School. For the reasons I'm about to share, I'll not be repeating such comments. As board chair. It's my responsibility to maintain order during school board meetings. And I'd like to remind board members that as public officers, we are respected to and must Endeavor to maintain the utmost level of professionalism respect and decorum during our meetings. The lcps community looks to us to lead by example and therefore we must not engage in conduct from the deis.
That would not otherwise be permissible by members of the public attending our meetings. Specifically, those attending public meetings are expected to maintain civility, decorum, and respect during our meetings and those addressing the board during public comment. Should refrain from vulgarity obscenities profanity or other breaches of Civility decorum and respect. Comments made on the day is during last, night's discussion. Could not only be said to be vulgar obscene or profane. I believe they also demonstrated a lack of respect for
truly Brave. American people who fought to love each other. Without their bravery and contributions to society. People would not be able to legally, marry individuals, they love who are outside their race. I believe our students are able to understand the historical significance of the lovings contributions and I would think our mature enough to refrain from resorting to mocking The Honorable names of such American Heroes. I was disappointed by the unprofessional comments made last
night, and I asked that all board members Please be mindful to engage in professional and respectful dialogue during our meetings moving forward. And with that, we will move on to tonight's public hearing on the proposed, renaming of Frances, Hazel Reid Elementary School and Mercer Middle School Procedures for public comment. Thank you for engaging with the school board through the public comment process, the school board, welcomes comments from Loudoun. County residents and believes that strong Community engagement and outreach are important. Components
of a successful school system. Please note, that the speakers for this school board, public hearing shall limit their comments to the renaming of Frances, Hazel Reid Elementary School in Mercer, Middle School. Speakers must limit comments to the time allotted and based on the number of speakers on this the on the and the agenda. This evening, all speakers have been allotted 2 minutes each for public comment. Speakers who missed their time slot will not be called at a later time. All audience members shall maintain civility, decorum and respect for the functioning and dignity of the school board
at all times and abide by the public comment. Procedure set forth and School Board policy. 2520 entitled participation by the public and on the lcps, citizen participation website. Those resources also provide information on the distribution of materials to school board members. Given that under no circumstances may I speak speaker approach. The deis in accordance with school board policy 2520 speakers should refrain from vulgarity obscenities defamation profanity and other like breaches of Civility decorum and respect.
Targets. Also speakers may also not Target criticize or attack individual students and or individual division employees during public comment. Or engage in conduct that otherwise disrupts or delays, the meeting. Inappropriately loud conversations or outbursts from those in attendance will not be tolerated and security staff will be asked to restore order. Per School Board policy 2520, when reasonable this chair will warn the speaker breaches of decorum, or of these
rules, prior to the chair terminating speaking privileges or taking other action to preserve the civility decorum in orderly conduct of the meeting. Which could include but is not limited to the chair, directing staff to remove the attendee from the remainder of the meeting and or the public comment being concluded for the evening. The public is reminded that access to school board members is available through lcps. TV on Comcast channel, 18 and Verizon FiOS channel 43. The live stream of the meeting may be viewed on the website.
We look forward to hearing your comments and we do have some uh virtual public comment today we have uh 2 virtual speakers so we'll start with them. And then we will move on to our in-person. Um the first uh virtual speaker uh is Russia s. um, and the second is Mike Del Hello, thank you so much for putting this together tonight. I would like to focus my comment on the survey that the communities filled out both of these School communities
filled out, surveys, overwhelmingly in favor of renaming their schools, just because we have a few community members who are showing up, and they are the loud. Minority does not mean that we should not take the survey into account. We need to make sure that we are renaming schools that do not serve our students, um, in order to make sure that they can come to school and And put their full hearts and souls into learning and
becoming better people. Thank you. Thank you. Um, our second uh, person, Mike DeVille. Board. Thank you for uh, taking time to listen to our comments. Over hundreds of years in this very State. Unspeakable Horrors were committed against African-American mothers fathers and children by people who enslave them, Enslaved, I think about what that word really means. If our loved ones, if my family, if your family was taken from us tonight ship the cross, the ocean and sold like livestock.
It makes me shudder. The effects of this trauma, spans generations, and continues to affect families and children stay. We can promote healing by renaming these schools and send a message that we care about them. That they matter. And that the legacy of hate is not welcome in our community. I recognize that something like this is not free, there will be costs and those costs will be taken into account but I submit to you that it's worth it. Thank you. Thank you and we'll move to our in-person speakers Santos.
Minnows, followed by Aaron Cano. Good evening, my name is Santosh Munoz and I would like to talk about yesterday's, uh, renaming discussion. Even though the bore tasks and pay fine people to do, good job and research and uh recommendation it was clear to me as a taxpayer and a parent. 2 things that are are glaring 1. That the idea of renaming schools is not from this current board. It was the previous board. And the second thing is that the idea seems to be a
solution in a desperate search of a problem. And this is what I mean, I assure you as an Air Force veteran of 24 years, Hispanic man, and some people may call me a person of color although I prefer to be called American. My main concern is not is the unnecessary spending of taxpayers money. Uh, right now, I remember last night, teachers asking begging this honourable government body to consider the promises made to them on their retirement benefits. I beg
you, please change your course of action. Focus on more important things. And the good thing about the opportunities that is presented to you is that you can redeem, everything has been done to this poem in time. And I what I mean by that is that you can be you can put your name and your reputation in the right side of History. Because again there's an overwhelming majority of people that I talk to people have called us. You call it with common sense that are telling me that this issue is not the main focus. The main focus for us parents and taxpayers is
very simple. Good quality education, uh, well-being. And safety of the students and the faculty and uh, also to be good stewards of the taxpayers' money. I think that if you Traverse course, the public and the taxpayers and the voters will be in full support of you and all your future endeavors with that said, thank you so much and got a good night. Thank you. Aaron kungl followed by Tim rush. Good evening members of the school board. My name is Aaron
kungl and I serve as the current chair of the minority student achievement advisory committee msac. But tonight I also speak to you as a black woman, as a mother of black children, in Loudoun, County Public Schools and as a descendant of the enslaved who were brought to this land here in Virginia, insat continues to support the renaming of Frances, Hazel Reid Elementary and Mercer, Middle School, It's a clear and Urgent Message, this is not eraser. This is restoration. Renaming. These schools is about confronting the uncomfortable truths of our past, in choosing not to
celebrate individuals. Tied to the Confederacy or the systems that upheld slavery. It's about ensuring that the names of our schools, reflect the values. We claim to uphold inclusion, Equity, safety and dignity. I cannot send my children into a school building, that honors a legacy that would have denied their right to exist. Let alone to thrive. I should not have to and no parent should Loudoun. County has a complicated history and renaming. These schools will not erase that, but it will say to our students, our staff and our families you belong here, you
matter in your truth is Not Invisible. These buildings should carry the names that reflect who we are becoming not who we were lcps. Has made promises public strategic, and very heartfelt about building, inclusive environments where every student feels safe supported. And Seen you cannot fulfill that promise while maintaining names rooted in the Confederacy. This is Our Moment to lead. It's Our Moment to choose what is right over, what is easy, as Congressman John Lewis once said never ever be afraid to make
Some noise and get into good trouble, necessary trouble, and this is necessary trouble. And we're here for it. Thank you. Thank you. Tim rush followed by Michael Rivera. Good evening, if this board strips the name of Charles, Fenton Mercer, because that is the person ultimately, the school is named for, for Mercer Middle School. It will not be confronting the nation's Legacy of slavery, but affirming it, I say that as a proud 60-year veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, going back to participation as a
teen in the 1963 March on Washington. Please look closely at the memo I submitted to you. George Washington was an indispensable leader and founding the Republic he also held slaves. Would we delegitimize all his positive contributions by removing his name? From a Loudoun Country, School County School, the case of Charles, Fenton Mercer's. Exactly parallel. In his 3, Decades of Virginia state legislature and US Congressman 1810 to 1839. Mercer battled the slave system, which he called the blackest of all BLS in 4, crucial
areas, economics pursuing policies to build up, agriculture, industry and infrastructure, including his founding of the CNO Canal against the Tidewater slavocracy public education. Far ahead of his time, extending the voting franchise to poor non-slave. Holding strata and shutting down loopholes in laws Banning importation of slaves. Did Mercer entirely free himself from slavery and racism? No Mercer inherited a family of enslaved blacks, which he kept on and in private letters. He denigrated the character
of free blacks, did he contribute to creating the conditions, for freeing the country of the scourge of the slave system? Absolutely, the great anti-slavery champion John Quincy Adams. When he heard of em merc's departure from the US Congress, exclaimed, The Savage and barbarous Genius of slavery, has kindled a flame of popular, odium against him. The champions of the slave system excoriated him. The Criterion for changing school names, mandated by the Northam government. 5 years ago was when an individual for whom a school was named quote, Advanced slavery and
systemic racism Mercer in no way meets that Criterion. I urge you to keep his name on the Mercer School. Thank you. Michael Rivera followed by Matt O'Donnell. I want to make sure I record my comments in case Mrs. Manfield chooses to call my employer and attempt to get me fired again. This entire exercise is a political exercise. Both renaming committees were loaded up with political allies activists and the Loden NAACP. It was like having a McDonald's on a committee to approve,
a new Burger King in town. However, on the Frances Hazel Reed committee, the daughters of the Confederacy who were essentially on trial. Were treated with disdain and rudely scoffed. It's worth noting that the renaming committees were obligated to produce alternate names, that were not allowed to just vote, no to renaming even if that's what the committee wanted to do. The Frances Hazel Reed public survey was an afterthought and the survey was ignored, despite a majority of neighborhood residents around Frances, Hazel Reed saying no
to renaming This fake public input session is wholly performative as well. The decision has already been made by Mansfield and her cronies. This is yet another political pet project and a waste of taxpayer dollars, just like the renovation here at Education court that is going to cost taxpayers 1.7 million. Thank you, Mr. O'Donnell. Followed by Meredith raid. Matt O'Donnell. Sorry. so I signed up accidentally for both nights so I figured I'd
just come by and Wing it for 2 minutes. Um, You know, obviously there's a dicey issue, right? In very contentious. and the disappointing thing for me well, I guess perspective is everything um, So having grown up in Washington DC? Right? I come out here and its culture shock. And everyone's fighting this fight that I fought 30 years ago. Right. And That.
I think the only wisdom I can really give is It's very easy to assassinate, someone's character. Right, it's significantly more difficult to find out what's going on. and, I think that's What's required in this situation? And, you know, last night I, I thought it was a little in inside of decorum and no cameras to have people behind me. Right. Waving signs inferring that I was racist.
When they have no idea who I am. No idea. And I can tell you I would never do that to another human being. Ever. And I think I mean, I don't know anything about Mercer. I'm not defending him, right? And I'm not advocating either way. But I spent some time. Reading about Frances, Hazel read. and I think, This is just something that's going a little too far. There's a false narrative. Right, that everyone's gotten behind.
You know. it's unwise. And I think we can do better. Thank you. Thank you Meredith Ray. Followed by Erica okayed. Hi, I'm going to try and speak quickly because I have a whole bunch of things that I wanted to address. Um, Charles Mercer, who the Mercer magisterial District was named after founded the American Colonization Society along with a few others including Hen Henry, Clay, whose family
owned my ancestors as property. The ACs was built on the premise that black and white people could not coexist as equals in America, many white supporters. Even some who opposed slavery. Believed believed that free. Blacks did not qualify as Americans and did not truly belong in the United States. The acs's solution was colonization, a plan of deportation presented as if it were liberal reform. This allowed slave holder slaveholders and sympathizers to appear anti-slavery while actually, denying the black
Americans could ever be equal citizens in the US. And in effect, the acs's program was an epic endorsement of racial racial segregation premised on the notion that equality required black people's removal, Although the ACs claimed to send people to Africa, voluntarily, many black Americans were pressured or effectively forced to choose, Exile, free. Black people in the early 1800s face, harsh, legal, and social press pressures to leave in some states like Virginia. After 1806
laws required emancipated slaves to depart the state within a year or B re-enslave which funneled many into the colonization scheme. Historic records confirmed that contrary to claims that their departure was voluntary. Many African-Americans both free and a slave and slaved were pressured into immigrating. Some slaveholders made emancipation conditional on exile in other instances. Black people were directly expelled for example in 1832 the state of Maryland began forcibly, deporting, recaptured enslaved, persons to Liberia.
The colonization process itself had deadly outcomes for the people who are sent to Africa. For example, a group of 30 black Virginia who migrated from Loudoun County in 1830 um by 1843 2/3 of the group had died. Erica. Okay. Dead Bay. Followed by Kathy Bonet. Hi, good evening. Thank you. As a nation, racism is an ongoing problem that impacts people's lives employment and health decades. After the end
of the Civil War during the Jim Crow era. Statues were raised often in publicly visible and intimidating locations to send a message that seats of power were white spaces. School names, should not be used to commemorate or honor individuals, or organizations that supported the Confederate cause racial segregation or the massive resistance in Virginia. Which we in Loudoun County should be, well, aware of since we didn't desegregate our schools
until 1968, 14 years after the Brown versus the Board of Education decision. Per the school board policy on naming school facilities. Committees were formed to consider renaming of the schools, identified through the school, renaming project. What that was initiated in 2020. Both committees recommended renaming. The schools and the board. Now has to vote on accepting modifying or rejecting the recommendations. I support the committee recommendations to rename the
schools and more specifically, appreciate the suggestion, loving Elementary for the school in Leesburg where I am a resident. The story of Richard and Mildred loving was 1. I was not aware of growing up, but as an adult is personally, meaningful, thanks to their courage. My interracial marriage is legal. though, in 2025, my husband Nathaniel and I still get looks and my children have faced all manner, of odd, and intrusive questions and assumptions about their existence
and identities. Finally with regard to the discussion about nicknames, for Richard last night, it is irrelevant and just silly. Please vote Yes to support the committee recommendations and please also continue to take action on the renaming initiative in general. Thank you. Thank you, Kathy Bonet. Followed by Victoria spat. I thought we had seen Loudoun County school board meetings. Hit the bottom of the barrel a long time ago. But no.
Last night, Lauren. Sure enough. Licked the bottom of the barrel. She looked at good. Like she was performing a licking show for her top campaign donor who had just threatened to sue the school board and the superintendent. If he doesn't get the outcome he wants of in the renaming um procedures. He also said that school board candidates will lose if things don't go his way. A little Loudoun County, Elon Musk. Richard loving is considered a truly, Great, American
Virginia and a human rights Pioneer. Bye everyone. Everyone who knows? The remarkable story of Richard and Mildred. Loving Everyone that is except for racists. Lauren. Sure enough said, despite the fact that Richard leving was always called Richard, that there are other Richards, Who go by The Familiar name dick like dick. Black Dick Cheney. I think it's a very bad word.
So she then she and her girlfriend were Off to the Races fantasizing about dicks. And what would happen if a school board? Honored, the loving name mercifully chair Mansfield. Shut that down. I served on the committee to consider renaming. Frances Hazel Reid Elementary And I promise you, I assure you. That we did. Comprehensive and serious Research into the racist,
affiliations of Frances, Hazel Reid, and likewise into the variety of alternative names. We heard from parents teachers, who feel don't, who feel don't feel respected by the name of their school, not a theoretical study that school. Please respect our work and our recommendation, and for the love of God, respect Mr. And Mrs. Loving Victoria's P followed by Carolyn. Carolyn followed by Heather Godly. Good evening. Another really popular cost cutting measure was kidnapping
and owning people. And most people who weren't forced into. It didn't think that was wrong, either so much talk about the cost of renaming. And if women like, Francis hadn't partnered with the clan, to reframe The Narrative and turn, treasonous cowards into celebratory icons, we would not even be having this conversation. Your job does not define you, neither do the dates on your Tombstone. What's important is what you do with the dash in between Francis
used her free time to promote hate and Mercer thought, only white kids deserved an education and that their counterparts, whose labor built this country should be deported. So I can totally see a connection to why people today are advocating on behalf of them. This country, and our community has so much to learn about radical empathy, and it begins with renaming. These hateful reminders of Injustice, you can't claim to advocate for inclusion Equity, compassion and understanding in in
education, in immersive sweatshirt or wear of Frances. Hazel Reed hoodie without celebrating people who abused mistreated and dehumanized other people. Radical empathy means putting in the work to educate oneself and to listen with a humble heart to understand another's experiments experience from their perspective. Not as we imagine, we would feel radical empathy is not about you and what you think you would do in a situation. You have never been in and perhaps never will. It is the
Kindred connection from a place of deep knowing that opens, your spirit to the pain of another, as they perceive it, Empathy is no substitute for the experience itself. We don't get a tell a person with a bullet wound or a broken leg, that they are not in pain and people who have hit the cast Lottery, are not in a position to tell a person who has suffered under the tyranny of Cass. What is offensive or hurtful or demeaning to those at the bottom? Thank you. Those were Isabel wilkerson's words at the end. Not mine. Thank you. Uh, Heather gotay followed by Jude Armstrong.
1 should have to follow Carolyn. Uh, we're living in a time when black voices, black history, and black experiences are being erased. The decisions we make here, locally matter. Now, more than of renaming, schools is not just about budget lines or signage. It's about the values. We imprint on the Next Generation. I suspect the board will try to, appease both sides by voting to rename 1 school and not the other, but now is not the time to reach across the aisle. Not when we're talking about whether or not to continue honoring white supremacy, Frances Hazel, Reed was a founding and lifelong member of
the United Daughters of Confederacy. She actively promoted the Lost Cause narrative, distorting the realities of slavery, and the Civil War, the renaming committee, even searched for any evidence that later. She recognized the harm of that Legacy or any sign that she had any at any point condemned the enslavement of human beings they found nothing. Continuing to honor her name is harmful intentional or not. Especially to black students who deserve to learn in spaces that uplift them, not erase or rewrite, the pain of their ancestors. I want to acknowledge the community members who
gave their time and labor to this process. The black woman who cheered, the Mercer committee, LED with strength and integrity. And for that, she has been targeted with racism and personal attacks right here at this mic. During the committee meetings, we heard repeated claims that certain people weren't members of the Mercer Community, even though this was a requirement to serve on the committee. While I completely missed this microaggression many in the room, felt it deeply. to now dismiss the committee's work as to say, the black member Black leadership and black labor can be undermined by intimidation by racism and by the threats of lawsuits
that we saw last night, Before you decide to compromise know that you have the power to do, more than rename a school, you have the power to send a message to every student in this County that they matter that their history matters. And that we will not on our legacies rooted in exclusion and white supremacy do not obey in advance. Thank you. Jude Armstrong filed, uh, followed by Bill Wilkin Hello. I love to spot a good pattern, some sort of order in
the chaos. When the evidence is laid out in front of you here, it's not hard to see the most obvious pattern, which is a pattern of shock, anger and denial. Shocked, that these committees built in communic. In community, stakeholders voted overwhelmingly to rename their schools. Anger that their voices were clearly heard. But the group disagreed. The denials scrambling for a reason. Any reason except the simplest truth, the majority chose a different path. But there's another pattern that I see.
I see the incredible amount of Labor that my dear friend and chair of the, Mercer renaming committee, put into making sure that voices feelings beliefs of every single person on her committee were heard. Her role in this is more than any of us will ever know and more than we had any right to ask. Labor on the backs of black women is not ours to demand. I see a pattern of asking black people to defend their very existence to ignore the generational abuse that was forced
on them. Just get over it. It's in the past, right? Not if it's still on our schools, not if it's still written on the chests of our children. in their most amazing moments of their young lives written on their chest is going to be somebody who enslaved people or somebody who supported the lost. Cause The very least we can do is make sure that our kids don't have to bear the burden of this. Being asked, just to let Let It Go for the comfort of others.
Give black kids, the space, they deserve break the pattern of putting others Comfort over the health and well-being of black people change the names. Thank you. Bill wildin followed by Julia Holcomb. Thank you, School Board. My name is Bill. Wildin I live in the Ashburn District. I was allowed in County history, teacher for 18 years. I'm currently a member of the Loudoun County Heritage commission, but I'm with you tonight, in my own personal capacity,
I asked, you do not do this facts matter. We are not here. holding a referendum on General subjects or trying to create a way to ease people's pain of many, many things. We're talking about specific names for specific schools. We have other schools and other names to go through that also deserve to be attended to appropriately evidence that an editor bravely refused Clan advertising when she was.
Frances. Hazel Reid was an editor here in town against pressure. Seems to contradict the vibrations that you're picking up of someone who was so terrible. Uh, we also there are renaming chair. At the Frances Hazel Reed committee candidly reported in his research to the committee, the United Daughters of the Confederacy past National resolutions against the clan from 1921 onward, and that was the time frame that we're talking about in Francis
Hazel, Reed's era, The opinions on opinion line in in Wikipedia can't change those facts. This renaming the Lions of fine. Woman's name unnecessarily unfairly and dishonestly. Don't do this. I do this. I also warn you about the precedent. If you go after the Mercer District name, Uh, all place names in Virginia from 1619 to 1865. Bear the saint of slavery. Places in, Virginia were frequently named
for the nearest Mill Crossroads or the nearest Family Farm. You may find that you're condemning yourself to an awful, lot of change meetings. Back away from this. Thank you very much. Thank you, Julia Hulk, followed by Victoria Rashid. As a teacher, I very much dislike hearing somebody use their discipline as a way to tell untruth. But we should at least be able to agree that public schools should not be named for members of the losing side of a war
which ended 160 years ago. But let's choose an appropriate tone for the discussion of those possible names. somebody spoke about this already but I don't I think it Bears repeating It Bears repeating that, we should abandon and playground invective and smut and assume the virtue of maturity if we have it. Not To be clear. I think that I'm not the best person or a member of the best community to choose the new name for
Frances Hazel Reid. But that said, I agree with other speakers who have spoken in favor of the name, loving for our school. It honors Brave citizens. And that makes it very appropriate. And with all due respect to I believe the first Speaker tonight, there is nothing more important than leaving. Confederate's names behind. Thank you. Thank you, Victoria. Rasheed, followed by Brenda bankson.
When I initially signed up to volunteer, I believed that this would be an exercise in futility. I hadn't expected that through the process of renaming, I would encounter interactions with 2 globally. Members sitting up here today, who loudly heckled me in 1 of our meetings, with a sleeping baby. On my chest yelling about their privilege to speak, because they were school board members. I would love to be proven correct. However, I'd like to point out that my fellow volunteer committee members and I performed extensive hours of research and openly listened to both sides of our community
concerning far's contributions. In any capacity while she may have led the loud and times mirror for many years and founded a woman's Business and Professional Club. She also raised money for Stone Mountain, a site with a history directly tied to the second and third National KKK, Colonel Simmons, founder and Imperial. Wizard proudly had a cross burning. A top that mountain and sent postcards around Virginia. Regaling a cross burning that was going to be seen on November 25th, 1915 for Miles fhr. Knew that
history, she raised money for the relief carving of 3 Confederate. Generals anyway, nowhere else in the world are there monuments to Losers of a war. CPS didn't even bother to integrate schools until 1968 as someone else mentioned that's 57 years ago. 14 years after it was already told to stop. It seems members of the community here would like logical and well, reasoning adults, not to be able to connect the dots that the United Daughters of the Confederacy, founded in 1924 would have
had interaction with the local KKK. As I've recently passed exemplary Committee Member Larry. Branch said, if people understand why the name is being changed. And they can take a look within their own Hearts culture, runs deep, and to try and move to the Lex Neville of the next level of humanity is not easy. What's in a name? Everything. Thank you, Brenda bankson, followed by. Laurie tanzy. Thanks to Mr. Raider and Miss Rae for their challenging
work. I apologize to them for last night's, cherish, attitude from 1 side of the dayis and a childish Middle School named gaming from the other. It was a stretch to infer. That a suggested name of loving would be a school referred to as anything else. was last night's show, simply about excuses, last ditch efforts, lowering the conversation to the basis instincts garnering attention for crassness.
Maybe it makes for great social media so latious or good television but I learned more about renaming efforts from committee reports and the effects of derogatory speech and symbols in data shared by another member The loud and now reported this today. We've also heard complaints about cancel culture. Please tell that to the residents who had to wait years for Loudoun to integrate schools to swim in a Leesburg public
pool. To change an offensive mascot, at lchs to the bigotry and bullying of today. Historical precedents, takes a backseat to student needs for a welcoming learning environment. Dialogue and descent are key to a functioning democracy. It would have been appropriate to show respect for the renaming committee chairs last night instead of what had to be curtailed by the chair for its tackiness.
Please support students. When you consider the committee's recommended, renaming choices. All shall overcome someday. Thank you. Thank you. Laura tanzy followed by Christine Dean. Thank you guys for your time. It sounds like you've had a very busy week. Um, so Frances Hazel Reid, I was on the PTA board there for many years. She was a female leader in her time of her time. Um, was she flawed? Of course, we're all
flawed, but she wasn't so flawed that 25 years ago, the school couldn't be named for her. Um, in September, I know during a town hall meeting that only 11 or I'm sorry, only 1 person was in favor of renaming. The school 11 were against changing the name. Um I think when consultants and activists are making decisions for our community, this is a problem and everything I see on Facebook and other public forums and surveys.
You know, the typical regular person who isn't paying attention as much? Is not for this. You're busy, we're busy, we're raising kids, we're going to, you know, practices, we're doing homework. People don't have time to come out to these meetings. Um, it's just not efficient, but they, they can put a comment on online on Facebook. They can fill out a quick survey and from what I've seen, Nobody's for this, at all, for the Frances, Hazel Reid reading it. Um, I think that, when this board, I mean, the
board that proceeded you, uh, ventured into this kind of political arena in 2020. Um, You know we we've moved beyond that that really undermines your credibility like let's let's move past that. I mean I'm just a taxpayer and a parent and a sub and I can think of better uses for your time and our money. So I'm sure you can too. How about just education improving academic performance and outcomes, let's just deal with that. And if
you want to drift into more Fringe areas, how about healthier kids? Let's make a dent in the Obesity epidemic. With better food in our school, more outlets for physical, activity and achievement. Um, I'm done. Thank you. Christine Dean followed by Ron Campbell. Hi there. My name is Christine Dean, I have 5 children in the school system. I have 1 left, they've all gone on to other schools and JMU and Virginia Tech and Jamie you did
the same thing they changed um dorms because they were named after somebody. Nobody knew these kids just were partying, they slept in it. Nobody even had any idea. It was a political stunt that they did. Nobody knew who she was Frances. Hazel Reed, they knew they didn't know all the detail in the background. I don't know all the stuff about Mercer, but I wonder where your due diligence was 20 years ago when you were doing the naming of the schools. And I understand the efforts that you guys are putting forth to
rename and it's to desire. The historical wrongs of somebody particularly those related to slavery and racism. These are deeply significant the these are deeply significant topics and I appreciate the board's effort to reflect on our history by the way, for all those, you know name. And stuff, did you look up Berkeley USC us, whatever the 1 out in California. Look up Berkeley. There was the same thing but they decided not to. So people are talking about wearing a mercer or France Hazel Reed on your chest and
you're in for that it's it's not that cut and dry and I don't think people even know until they dive in or until it's brought up by you guys in this kind of a format. And I know that while certain historical Figures and events May Be troubling. They are part of our Collective history, and that's what we have to. Remember, we are in Virginia, and my husband's from California and they have no idea like they didn't even learn about Civil War. It's, it's incredible that we have this here and this
is part of our history and what we are what we have here and we're moving their names could prevent us from engaging in meaningful conversations about the past instead of erasing, our history. We should focus on educating students of why these names are controversial. Thank you. Thank you. Ron Campbell followed by Susan Cox. Good evening. I watched the, uh, meeting last night and heard the comments and generally. Uh, I I stay out of The Fray. Um,
I'm a former Leesburg Town council member. I'm current chair of the Town Planning Commission. I'm a veteran of many difficult conversations between ourselves and our community. And even our Commonwealth. I can tell you that in 2016, my wife and I were on the front page of the Washington Post, with the 50th anniversary of the loving V Virginia case. There were 4 other Virginia couples. The lovings are American and Virginia Heroes.
Their descendants and their legacy, which I am a part of, because I'm a part of this community for 24 years belongs to this community. They're not just some distant people who did a thing for America and who were selfish about it. They sacrificed their lives, their time and their families, their happiness, this sense of self and self being so that we all could enjoy the freedoms of marriage. I know that this is not an easy conversation to have, but
it must be had. No matter who started it our history, your history says that we have to finish it with some Grace, some dignity and and some respect, not just for our community, but for the that we also leave behind. So I just urge you, to seriously, consider not the noise, but the facts and the honest Integrity of the out. Comes that have to be achieved. I do that in my professional professional work and I call my work with the Planning
Commission, my volunteer work and I urge you to do the same. Thank you. Thank you, Susan, Cox followed by Lind Davis. Hello, we do not have an endless supply of money, siphoning money away from literacy is not sound. We have bullying gang and Fentanyl issues that need to be prioritized, renaming causes Division and confusion. I want you to learn from a neighboring school system renaming didn't help with literacy rates lawsuits were filed. And a prominent
Community member, Scott tale or received death threats. When he spoke for keeping the name, Scott, Taylor in his youth attended a segregated school. He ran the black Heritage Museum in Arlington, when the school board insisted on renaming. Don't take my word for it. Here are his words from an interview on Channel 9 quote. I think we are tearing down history and we don't think you should tear down history. You build history up. You have conversations about things. You don't want to talk about. You don't just
get rid of it. That's not how you calm quell or fix things end? Quote? Surely, you can find a good in all of the Loudoun County school names. Focusing on only the flaws. And paying people to find them isn't wise. Let's not have lcps in the news for more Division and Scandal teach our children to learn from history and from the names. Teacher Next Generation to find the good. See the progress.
Be forgiving love the freedoms we have here in America. See the light reconsider renaming. Thank you. And if someone was to spend a lot of money to look only for the negative in loving someone, Might come up with. For an elementary school, an unwed mother with different fathers. Now I think Loving's represent a loving couple but you pay somebody enough money to find the negative. You're going to find it with any name. Thank you. Thank you.
Um, our last public comment is Lynn Davis. Loudoun County has an appalling history when it comes to its treatment of black students. In 1954, Brown versus the Board of Education, a case decided decided by the US Supreme Court. Ruled that segregation in schools is inherently illegal and violates, the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution. But lden didn't comply. A 1963 lawsuit filed by black students and families and
allowed an ultimately led to a 1967 court order to fully integrate Loudoun County Public Schools. It took 14 years to comply with the US Supreme Court. The Mercer Legacy. Represents exclusion not inclusion. Mercer family was deeply invested in systems that excluded and removed black Americans from public life. Frances Hazel Reid was a founding and lifelong member of
the perville chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. the UDC funded, and erected hundreds of Confederate monuments, particularly during the Jim Crow movement, and during the Civil Rights Movement, Uh, these 2 periods directly correlate with efforts to suppress African-American rights and reinforce white supremacy. Honoring the Mercer and Reed name sends the message that ra racial separation and exclusion are part of
our school's values. that was true in 1967, but it is unacceptable in 2025 Names. Carrie symbolic power. What you choose to honor publicly, reflects your values. I would implore that. You please change the names. Thank you. Thank you all for coming out today and for, providing your public comment. Um, We are going to sing, as there's no more business today.
The April 9th, 2025 Loudoun County School Board. Public hearing on the proposed naming of France. Frances, Hazel Reid Elementary School and Mercer. Middle School is now