Full coverage: Renaming of David Starr Jordan Middle School in Burbank
In mid-April, following months of discussion, community forums and appointing a special committee, the Burbank Unified school board unanimously voted to change the name of David Starr Jordan Middle School. The school’s now-former namesake was a proponent of eugenics. Students, teachers and alumni found that such beliefs are an insult to Burbank’s diverse and inclusive spirit. A new name has yet to be decided.
- 1
After months of deliberation and public input, the Burbank Unified school board unanimously voted to change the name of David Starr Jordan Middle School on Thursday.
- 2
Burbank Unified’s facilities-naming committee unanimously voted Tuesday to recommend renaming David Starr Jordan Middle School because of its namesake’s controversial writings on eugenics.
- 3
In David Starr Jordan Middle School’s auditorium on Wednesday, nearly 80 people debated the merits of whether the campus should change the name it’s held for 71 years.
- 4
- 5
Fever pitch online comments were not matched by an in-person presence when the Burbank Unified facilities-naming committee held its first meeting regarding the possibility of dropping David Starr Jordan as a middle school namesake Thursday evening.
- 6
- 7
January looks to be a busy and important month for the Burbank Unified School District in terms of meetings, with topics including budget deficits, a school modernization project and a potential school name change.
- 8
Seventy years after David Starr Jordan Middle School was christened, Burbank residents will provide input on whether the institution should change its name because of questions surrounding the man it’s named after.
- 9
When Burbank High School’s main athletic field will be named and whether David Starr Jordan Middle School will be renamed are two questions still months away from being answered.
- 10
Though no school, field or facility is set to be named or renamed immediately, Burbank Unified officials took another step toward clarifying and completing a process for such a possibility at Thursday’s meeting.
- 11
Minorities and women may not have Burbank Unified schools named after them yet.
