School Hopes to Honor Chavez With Name Change
One of the oldest elementary schools in the San Fernando Valley plans to submit a proposal to the Los Angeles Board of Education seeking to rename the school after Cesar Chavez.
Despite some protest, the majority of staff and students at Pacoima Elementary School has voted in favor of renaming the 85-year-old school after the late civil rights activist, a hero to many Mexicans and Mexican Americans, said Larry Gonzales, principal at the school since 1991.
Although Gonzales is neutral about the proposed change, he said that most of the faculty believes that naming the 1,550-student school after Chavez not only “honors the accomplishments of a great human being,” but also inspires hope in a community plagued by poverty and violence and, therefore, will improve student achievement.
Gonzales said at least 200 people have signed a petition opposing the name change. Most of the signatures are from community members, many of whom once attended the school and say the name should remain for historical reasons.
The school, at 11016 Norris Ave., opened to kindergarten through eighth-graders in 1914.
“Both sides are still discussing the issue,” said Gonzales, adding that it’s possible they’ll compromise with “one big, long name,” such as Cesar Chavez Pacoima Elementary School.
A proposal could reach board members by the end of summer.
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