Three North Texas independent school districts are removing the name of Cesar Chavez from their campuses after a New York Times investigation detailed sexual assault allegations involving the late labor leader. The reports, which included claims of abuse against two minors and co-founder Dolores Huerta, prompted calls from politicians to strip his name from public institutions.
In Dallas, the school board is considering a proposal to rename Cesar Chavez Learning Center to East Dallas Elementary. A community vote selected the name from a narrowed list, and trustees plan to bypass the usual February review cycle due to the sensitive nature of the allegations. The district is also updating its renaming policy to require a "compelling rationale" for future changes.
Fort Worth ISD trustees unanimously approved changing Cesar Chavez Elementary to Esperanza Elementary in May. The board suspended local policy to allow the name, which means "hope," to pass despite one member's concern that it did not honor a specific public figure. Little Elm ISD trustees had already voted in April to rename Cesar Chavez Elementary to Little Elm Elementary.
