Five Years After Shedding Confederate Moniker, a West Texas High School May Be Lee High Again

August 14, 2025

The Midland Independent School District in Texas is facing controversy as the school board considers reverting Legacy High School's name back to Midland Lee, which would restore a connection to Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The school's name was changed five years ago following Black Lives Matter protests, but newly elected board Vice President Josh Guinn has proposed restoring elements of the old name, claiming it honors "patriotic legacy" rather than Confederate history.

Who is affected

Students and families of Legacy High School, particularly Black students like Erinn Mayberry
Alumni of the school who identify with the "Lee Rebels" tradition
The broader Midland community, especially families considering where to send their children
School administrators and staff who would implement another name change
Taxpayers who would fund the estimated $20,000 cost of changing the name again

What action is being taken

The Midland school board is actively considering a proposal to rename Legacy High School back to Midland Lee
The board may vote on the proposal as early as Tuesday
Community members on both sides are publicly advocating for their positions
Some families are preparing to move their children to different schools depending on the outcome
The school has maintained its "Rebels" mascot but changed its depiction from a Confederate soldier to a Revolutionary War soldier

Why it matters

The name change would reverse a 2020 decision that many viewed as progress toward inclusivity
It reflects broader national debates about Confederate symbols and their meaning
The school's name carries significant symbolism about community values and history
The original name was chosen in 1961 as a rejection of school desegregation efforts
The controversy highlights divisions in the community between those who see the name as heritage versus those who view it as a symbol of racism
The timing coincides with President Trump's recent orders to restore Confederate names to military bases

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article beyond the potential vote that "may come as early as Tuesday."

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint