WJCC Voice

• York County School Board Meeting: The board discussed the potential name change of Magruder Elementary School during a recent meeting.
• Research Presentation: Community members James Carroll and Aaron Butler presented research on the school’s name, sourced from a 1983 York County Schools book, “Footprints,” and archived documents at William & Mary’s Swem Library.
• Name Origin: The school is named after Confederate General John B. Magruder, who defended York County during the Union Army’s Peninsula Campaign.
• Community Debate: Some argue the school is named for the Magruder area, a former African American community, but research suggests the area itself was named after General Magruder.
• Policy Concerns: Board member Lynda Fairman noted that the 2012 policy prohibits naming schools after individuals, raising concerns about consistency with other schools like Tabb Elementary, Middle, and High, named after an area linked to a historical figure.
• Public Input: The board plans to collect public comments at the next meeting on May 19 and is considering a community survey to gauge opinions on the name change.
• Historical Context: The school’s name has been debated since 2020, with prior discussions in 2021 when Hampton renamed Magruder Boulevard to Neil Armstrong Parkway.

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