After a robust community engagement process, the Lee Elementary School鈥檚 Campus Advisory Council announced it has identified eight names to be considered for the renaming of Lee Elementary School.
The community submitted hundreds of names from which the eight were chosen. From the eight, the CAC will submit three of these names to the Board on May 3, which is scheduled to take action on a new name on May 23.
The council has reached out to local proponents of the following candidates to share more information about their submissions and why they feel they would be a worthy namesake of the school:
Barbara Smith Conrad鈥Internationally acclaimed African-American opera star who completed her studies at the University of Texas despite discrimination-based setbacks.
Bettie Mann鈥擝eloved former Lee Elementary School teacher of more than 35 years and the first African-American educator at Lee Elementary School.
Elisabet Ney鈥Celebrated sculptor and neighborhood resident who emmigrated from Germany and is the subject of a popular local museum.
Harper Lee鈥擨conic American novelist best known for 鈥淭o Kill a Mockingbird.鈥
Kenneth Ragsdale鈥擣ormer 果冻传媒app ISD director of music and founder of the band program at Lee Elementary School.
Russell Lee鈥擭eighborhood resident, founding University of Texas photography professor and a critically acclaimed Depression-era photographer.
Waller Creek鈥擭otable local geographic feature shared by neighborhoods served by Lee Elementary School.
Wheeler鈥檚 Grove鈥擮riginal name of Eastwoods Park, a longtime Juneteenth celebration site and gathering space for historic freedman鈥檚 community.