The Sacramento City Unified School District is considering renaming three schools to fight racism. The cash-strapped district could spend between $100,000 to $150,000 to accomplish that goal.
Under consideration for a name change are Sutter Middle School, Kit Carson International Academy, and Peter Burnett Elementary.
John Sutter was a 19th century Swiss immigrant credited with establishing Sutter's Fort and an early settlement where the American and Sacramento rivers meet. His son is considered by historians as the actual founder of Sacramento. John Sutter, Sr., is said to have enslaved and poorly treated hundreds of native people.
A statue of Sutter that had stood outside the Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento was vandalized by protesters and later pulled down on the orders of hospital officials.
Historians paint a similar picture of Kit Carson, and Governor Peter Burnett held office in California at the time of the 1849 gold rush. Burnett was forced to resign over accusations of racist policies targeting African American in the state.
"Sacramento City Unified School District strives to create a warm and welcoming environment for all students, staff, and community members," read a staff summary of the renaming proposal presented to the District's board on Thursday. "The renaming of school sites is part of the District’s work in dismantling racism from within our system. School names, structures and symbols that upholds a legacy of racism, oppression, and exclusion shall not be tolerated. The names of our schools are a powerful symbol of our community values."
Staff notes policy requires board members rename the schools after people, living or dead, who have made outstanding contributions to the community, the county, the state, the country, or the world. Names reflecting geographic features of the areas where the schools sit are also options.
Recommendations for new names are expected to be presented by February of 2021 after public input.