Conversations surround naming of new Johns Island Elementary School

Conversations surround naming of new Johns Island Elementary School

A Charleston County School’s naming decision brought heated conversation and frustrations after debate left some unhappy with the final decision.

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) –

A Charleston County School’s naming decision brought heated conversation and frustrations after debate left some unhappy with the final decision. The Charleston County School District’s Board of Trustees voted Monday night on naming a new school in the district, Johns Island Elementary School, upon recommendations from a naming committee. The elementary school will be off of River Road. It is planned to be two stories and serve 700 2nd through 5th graders. A District 9 naming committee of around 20 members met three times over the last few months to sort through different name options and present one final recommendation to the board.

Community Sentiments

“Because of the region and the community, people want to feel a sense of belonging and to say, ‘this is ours,’” Millicent Middleton, member of the naming committee, said. “I believe this would be the start of building something big for Johns Island by bringing everyone together, to say ‘this is our school.’”

Final Name Selection

The two final options were Johns Island Elementary and Esau Jenkins Elementary, named after Esau and Janie B. Jenkins who were both Johns Island civil rights activists pushing for the education of black students. “But there is a problem with the school being named in honor of two of the most documented, dedicated African American educators of all time,” Lowcountry community advocate, Pastor Thomas Dixon, said.

Public Opinion

One Johns Island community member, Bradley Taggart, shared during public comment that a poll was sent out to residents of the island with 72% supporting the name of Johns Island Elementary School. “The people of Johns Island deserve to name our community’s new school building, and the name preferred by residents, by a long margin, is Johns Island Elementary School,” Taggart said.

Board Decision

During the public comment session, some supported the Johns Island name whereas others supported Esau Jenkins. Following the entirety of the meeting and public comment, the board discussed the name approval last.

Outcome

“In the end, the board voted 6 to 3 to approve the name of Johns Island Elementary School honoring key historical figures, John and Mattie Washington, Hermina Traeye, William “Bill” Saunders and Esau and Janie B. Jenkins. Some possible options to honor the historic figures discussed by the committee include ideas of murals, timelines and busts, but nothing official has been decided.

Board of Trustees Member Darlene Dunmeyer-Roberson, who voted against the naming, released a statement on Tuesday saying:

While I respect the work of the new D9 Elementary School Naming Committee and the will of the Board, I believe we missed an opportunity to rise to the occasion. We failed to honor history but more specifically, the history of Education on the Sea Islands. Two giants in education, Esau and Janie B. Jenkins, were minimized by this Board’s decision to name the school after a geographical area vs. honoring those who helped to improve education in that very region. While I’m disheartened by this, Esau and Janie B. Jenkins’ legacy will live on!