Dixie schools renamed Miller Creek
The Dixie School District board voted Tuesday night to rename the district the Miller Creek Elementary School District.
The vote followed months of debate between people who said the name is linked to the Confederacy and others who wished to keep the longheld name for the San Rafael school district.
“We are thrilled to have these decisions made so we can start the year off on a positive note,” said board President Brad Honsberger. “Our board appreciates all of the input we received from our community during this process. We look forward to focusing our priorities on students in the coming year.”
The board also approved changing the name of Dixie Elementary School to Lucas Valley Elementary School. District officials said the name change was the result of a studentled campaign that “narrowed a pool of names down to 13,” which were then voted on by students, school staff members and families.
By August 22, district officials hope to have signage changed on buses, at district buildings and on the district website — just in time for new and returning students.
“This is a tight timeline, but I am confident that we can make it happen,” said Interim Superintendent Becky Rosales.
School officials told The Chronicle in April that adopting a new name — which includes replacing signage on buildings and changing marketing materials — could cost nearly $40,000. It’s unclear if that estimate has remained the same, but the Marin Community Foundation had pledged it would cover the cost of implementing the new name.
The board initially voted to change the name of school district on April 16, after opponents of the name said it evoked Confederate imagery and was racist and offensive to the black community. The name had remained the district’s moniker since 1864.
The name change comes at the end of a yearslong battle by opponents who have been rallying for the district to strip its namesake dating back to 1997. In February, the board refused to change the district’s name, requesting more time to create a process to better decide a new name.