The Falls Church School Board in Virginia voted unanimously this week to change the names of two of its public schools – Thomas Jefferson Elementary School and George Mason High School – to be more “inclusive” to students who might be offended at the Founding Fathers’ “racism.”
The process took six months and a slew of meetings between faculty, board members and parents before the school board finally decided the names had to go in the name of being politically correct. In a statement following the vote, the seven school board members said they wanted to ensure their schools are “places where all students, staff, and community members feel safe, supported, and inspired.”
Which, apparently can’t happen if the school is named after a 300-year-old dead president.
“The Board took seriously the viewpoints and concerns raised by many students, parents, staff, and community members,” said School Board Chair Greg Anderson in the statement. “We thank everyone who shared their perspectives with us and will be mindful of your comments as we now begin selecting names that reflect the diversity of opinions in our community. Our schools must be places where all students, staff, and community members feel safe, supported, and inspired.”
But despite saying they took public opinion into account in making their decision, it looks like the school board actually ignored the will of the majority of their residents - you know, the people whose taxes actually pay for the schools - as one survey conducted in October found 56% of respondents said they were against changing the names, per WTOP. That number included including 61% of the parents of Thomas Jefferson Elementary students and 57% of George Mason High parents.
After considering the signage and all the paperwork, Lord only knows how much it’s going to cost to change the names. But at least a few perpetually victimized morons will feel a little bit better for about three seconds before finding something else by which to be offended.