Thomas Jefferson and George Mason Names

The Falls Church School Board is beginning a process to consider whether to rename two of the division's schools; George Mason High and Thomas Jefferson Elementary schools.

During a lengthy discussion Tuesday night, and following receipt of over 120 public comments in recent weeks, the Board reached a consensus that a thoughtful reconsideration of the schools' names is needed based on the division's policies on equity and inclusion.  The two schools honor Founding Fathers who also owned slaves. Board members concede the issue is complicated but welcomed the process.

School Board Discusses School Name Change Process

At its next meeting, on July 14th, the board will vote on the process forward that will likely include hiring a third-party consultant to lead the work of gathering comments and survey data over the next several months. Though a deadline on completion of the work was not set, some were hopeful that if a name change for the high school was agreed to that, perhaps it could be in place in time for the new school's ribbon-cutting expected in early December 2020.