People react as the school board votes in favor of changing the names of Robert E. Lee High School and John Tyler High School outside of a special Tyler Independent School Board meeting on a potential name change on Thursday, July 16, 2020.

Tyler ISD will change the names.

The Tyler Independent School District Board of trustees voted 7-0 to move forward with changing the names of both Robert E. Lee and John Tyler high schools.

For more than an hour as community members filed in one-by-one to make their case, the chants of protests from outside the meeting could be heard as residents eagerly awaited a decision during a special called meeting on Thursday. The marathon meeting began at 6 p.m. and lasted about three and a half hours.

Board member Artis Newsome made the motion for the vote, which was quickly seconded by Aaron Martinez and approved by the board.

On Monday, the board will finalize board policy revisions that will define how buildings can be named and the process for soliciting public input.

Board member Andy Bergfeld said it’s time to stop playing games and dividing the community when it comes to new names for the schools.

“I don’t want to see any revenge naming, that’s the best way I can describe it. We need to be done with playing games with the names of our schools,” Bergfeld said, urging caution over how the process should play out.

Board President Wade Washmon said when the issue came back up, he knew he would have to lead in a way he had not been forced to do before, and he knew he would need to garner community support.

The board heard from dozens of residents on either side of the issue before discussing the matter among themselves in open session. More than 40 people signed up to speak, passionately explaining their positions. For the name were 25 speakers, and 9 against with two that did not state a clear stance. Not everyone who signed up to speak made their way inside to do so, as speakers were brought inside to queue in groups due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Before the vote, board members made comments that leaned toward the change.

Board member Rev. Fritz Hager Jr. said, “I believe now is the time for a better path.”

Board member Aaron D. Martinez said this board had to finish the vote on the school name, something that did not happen over the last four years.

“The decision needs to be board driven, and there needs to be a policy change. Be leaders and be policy changers. Unfortunately last time the board did not lead,” said Martinez. “Lack of action then has risen up some student leaders outside. Students who have learned a lot about community. We should keep in mind that we’re talking about changing names, not being creative about fixing inequalities. The road that we have ahead of us is long. Changing the name was right fifty years ago, it was right two years ago, and it’s right today.”

Washmon admitted, “I know it’s difficult to make. So much of my Christian brothers and sisters are so focused on race that they’ve forgotten grace.”

Quoting the Bible and Ephesians 4:29, board member Dr. Patricia Nation said, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths.” She continued, “Our board president has asked all to remain reasonable in this time. I would like that my voice and history be heard. I love history and teaching. My husband and I engaged in historical reenactment. Over those years, we’ve taken part in playing both soldiers and civilian.

“I honor the soldiers. As an educator, I encourage you to not take everything you see on social media as fact. Don’t jump to conclusions,” Nation continued. “There’s no such thing as the right side of history. We all have the same history. We need to learn and grow from it. As a board member, I hear you. Changing the name of the school alone will not change the hearts of the people. Our job is to focus on successful student outcomes for all students, and that is where our focus needs to return.”

Bergfeld then posited the question, “In a situation of compulsory education, where students have to attend the school in which they are zoned to, is it right to force African Americans to attend a high school whose namesake is inevitably tied, directly or indirectly, to defending the institute of slavery? If we say we’re all created equal, when I put myself in their shoes, it doesn’t feel right.”

Also quoting the Bible, board member Yvonne Atkins said, “The Bible says, ‘There’s a time and season for everything.’ And this is that time and season.”

Board member Artis Newsome, added, “It’s the best thing for the school. If the student’s education is hindered by the name of school, we should be concerned. In the early days, a neutral name should have been chosen. We should not let political climate to determine the district’s decision.”

Rev. Orenthia Mason, who retired from the board earlier this year spoke to the board, representing a group of black elected officials in Tyler. She said the group has met recently and will support the board, not just in their decision, but in the process to come.

“It’s time to make a change, it’s time to tear down any bridges that might separate us,” Mason said. “I know that is not an easy decision, but I hope and pray you (make the change).”

Ronald Purdue said the “liberal news media” would not report on what he had to say. He said that despite others saying the name Robert E. Lee was not good enough for Tyler, Texas, it was Lee who donated the land that Arlington National Cemetery sits on today.

Bobby Curtis said outside interests had come to Tyler to “stir up a hornet’s nest.” He said that if the name change passes, he and others will not continue to financially support the district.

Robert Wilson said there is racism in Tyler ISD, but it is from teachers who glorify figures such as Malcolm X. Wilson said, “Race equity means there should not be scholarships, such as the Faulkner Scholarship, that are limited only to black or Hispanic kids. Caucasian and Asian students are not allowed to apply for these. TISD this is reverse racism. Are you really serious about racial equity?” He later added, “I have no issue with scholarships for minority groups. I do have issue with those earmarked for one or two specific races, discriminating against all other races.”

Lee Class of 2019 graduate Caroline Crawford said she does not hate her high school experiences, and they remain important formative moments in her life, but she is ashamed to tell others where she went to school.

“One thing I experience in college that Lee did not prepare me for was being unable to take pride in my school,” she said.

Mission Bonner said she was coming before the board to demand change for her daughters who attend Tyler ISD.

“I am no longer accepting what I cannot change, I am changing what I cannot accept,” Bonner said. “It is pain, it is trauma, it is a constant reminder of white supremacy. We are asking, no we are demanding, you change the name.”

Her young daughter Priceless also spoke. She said the district can change the names to something we can all agree on such as Freedom and Justice High Schools.

“I am Priceless Bonner and I will never honor racism, and that is not what the founding fathers stood for,” she said.

Class of 1966 graduate Deborah Routen said changing the names of the high school is part of a larger movement to take away from America.

“What comes to mind is people who come here who immigrate. When they come here they’re educated in our history, and the way our laws are built between local, county state levels. They’re taught about the Declaration of Independence, our flag’s history. All history basically, and the Constitution. They’re also taught how to assimilate into America without changing. They’re welcome to bring their heritage. We will respect theirs if they respect us,” Routen said. “Right now, there is a cancel culture movement that has infringed on all of our history. It’s a page out of Saul Alinsky’s socialism book on how to dominate a country, that’s destroy their history. Take it out. And the fundamental transformation of America was begun by Obama, basically. That’s what he ran on he ran on his first campaign.”

Jessica Adams the board now has the opportunity not to change history or erase, but to make history.

“We have such an amazing opportunity today,” Adams said. “Tyler, Texas has a reputation of being on the wrong side of history, as our elected officials you have the opportunity to finally push this city onto the right side of history.”

Angela Smallwood said she was speaking on behalf of Derek Breedlove, who could not be present because he is serving his country.

“There’s a radical cancel culture revolution going on right now in this country, taking an eraser to this nation. We have already seen the fruits of this movement and clearly, it’s not about race. It is clear that the same movement is now at our doorstep. We’ve watched from the safety of our community thinking, ‘not here.’ But it is here,” she said. “Although maybe more peaceful this issue is not about local high schools, Robert E. Lee, or the nation’s tenth president, John Tyler, our town’s namesake. It’s about getting a foothold. This movement seems to capitalize on the mainstream media’s device of narrative searching far and wide to resurrect history’s past sins and racism for political gain.”

Smallwood continued saying that Tyler should not simply follow suit with what others are doing.

“Regardless of what city officials are saying, or what other towns are doing, this is the people’s decision. The decision is permanent and should not be made during these emotionally charged and highly disruptive times. Nor should it be made in response to intimidation tactics, which both you and I have been on the receiving end of,” she said. “Solutions for the district in the upcoming Fall semester should be the priority. Our kids need to be in school, developing academically, socially and physically, this issue would suck the oxygen out of the room at a terrible time in our community. Everyone in this room knows this is a slippery slope. Don’t let this proceed on your marks.”

Bill Williamson said that while he is a descendant of Lee, and he feels Lee would be proud to have his name on the marquis, he does not feel Lee would be proud if it was a detriment to students. He said that as a proud graduate of John Tyler, he would like John Tyler to keep its name though.

Wylie Smith, a 1961 John Tyler Graduate said activism among school boards must stop.

“I’m against any and all name changes except in business buyouts and in marriages and such as that. The tail should never wag the dog, the dog should wag the tail. He is always in charge,” Smith said. “Mobs should not control our cities, our state or our school boards.”

Superintendent Marty Crawford and Director of Facilities Tim Loper also discussed potential costs with the board. Crawford stressed that these are estimates, and other potential costs may come up down the road.

“We’ve been sensitive to what we’ve ordered, and what construction has occurred. As we go through this, if the board decides to change the high school names, just as we always do, we will do this in a very fiscally conservative manner, in an economic way,” Crawford said. “There will be a grace period. This will not happen overnight. There will be things that come up and surprise us with things that we didn’t know about.”

Fine Arts director Sandy Newton said their cost analysis this time around was different because the largest costs are for band uniforms that are due soon for replacement. She said that estimated cost of $130,000 would see a considerable savings, as well as costs associated with parade banners, trailers wraps and other materials that are due for replacement soon.

Newton said case expenses are unknown, due to the variety of cases used, but she believes they can be done for a reasonable expense, and newer instrument cases have not been labelled.

Newton said the district is able to mitigate most of those costs, and it likely would not create a large burden on their budget. Her best estimate was about $10,000 in new spending that is not otherwise due to cycle replacement or work yet to be done at the new facilities.

Athletics Director Greg Priest said the district is in a good position if the names are changed, because most of their uniforms are due for replacement soon. He said the sub-varsity and ninth grade teams would see the bulk of costs.

“We’ll make it work,” Priest said. “If it’s a decision we do make, we’ll do our best to pull it off.”

Priest said the district can get creative in the interim through methods such as patches, stock uniforms or away uniforms. He said Letter Jackets only have “T” on them, and have for several years. His best cost estimate for athletics was $98,500.

Director of Facilities Tim Loper said the names on the front of the facilities were not built in cast stone as initially planned, but GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete). That resulting in a much lower cost, and subsequent potential replacement cost, but it does present a challenge with landscaping in place. The lettering for the name on the front of the facility is made of six panels that can be replaced for an estimated cost between $102,000 and $136,000 for a name of similar length. Those panels also can just be filled in with grout as a short term solution for $9,000 for the three panels with the name, leaving “High School” or $13,000 for the entire thing. The cost for the front signage at John Tyler would be far less due to the material used, at a cost of less than $30,000 for removal and replacement.

Most of the branding at both facilities has not yet been put in place. The district has cast aluminum lettering for the signs on the roadways at Lee, but they have not yet been installed.

Lee Principal Dr. Dan Crawford said they can head off cheer uniforms and have them feature either the school mascot or “Red Raiders” on those uniforms this year. Crawford said PTAs have also waited for guidance from the district before they order branded supplies. He said that was due to not only a potential name change, but also the uncertainty around the coronavirus.

Board President Wade Washmon said his estimate of the costs presented would be a total price tag of less than $330,000 for both schools.

Rev. Fritz Hager said that he believes that the symbolism associated with Robert E. Lee has come to be associated with negative connotations.

“I still believe that schools are different than statues and street names because we compel them to attend a school based on where they live and we encourage them to carry that name on them …,” Hager said.

Hager said he also believes there is a greater risk of disruption than there was two years ago, and even a greater risk to student’s safety than they had realized.

Bergfeld said that while he agrees with many that America is facing a crisis from a radical, progressive agenda, he does not feel this issue checks the boxes of “cancel culture.”

Board member Artis Newsome said he would vote to change the name of the schools because he feels it is the right thing to do, and students should always be the primary concern of the district.

“If we make good decisions, that will make the city and county appear better,” Newsome said. “Unfortunately, the board has not always made good decisions.”

The vote also triggered the process to begin a local policy change regarding the naming of district facilities, and will outline the process for the next steps in selecting new names for the high schools.

The policy revisions include eliminating provisions for naming facilities after people, but does allow for naming of portions of facilities for people who have had significant local impacts. An example currently in use are the wings in the Career and Technology Center named for C.C. Baker and Therelee Washington.

According to the policy revisions, other criteria would include: naming a facility after any patriotic belief, principled ideals, values, desired qualities or aspired outcomes for District students or the community; naming a facility after any local, state, or national geographic area, landmark, or physical attribute; or naming a facility after a person who has served the District or community directly. Such portions of school facilities may include (but are not limited to) theaters, gymnasiums, fields, libraries, halls or corridors, or other sub-areas of a school facility.

The process for deciding a name could include “local community, student, and staff input or suggestions to collect viable names for considerations. Input and suggestions could be made in writing on a form provided by the District within the designated time frames established by the District, and will only be accepted for the school facility or portion of a school facility for which names are being solicited by the Board.”

(Ben Fenton and Zak Wellerman contributed to this report)