A federal judge has ordered a Virginia county to change the names of two schools after local officials restored Confederate names to the campuses in 2024. The ruling concerns Shenandoah County Public Schools and follows a legal challenge brought by students and others who opposed the renaming decision.
The decision found that the school board’s action violated students’ civil rights. The court’s order requires the county to replace the Confederate names, although the available reports do not specify the timetable or the names that will be selected.
The dispute reflects a broader conflict over how public schools should address names and symbols associated with the Confederacy. Supporters of the restoration had sought to return earlier names, while opponents argued that doing so created a discriminatory and hostile environment for students. The county is expected to follow the federal court’s directive as the matter proceeds.
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