Virginia elementary school likely to shed Confederate name

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The lone Confederate-named school in Virginia's capital may soon be renamed for a civil rights attorney.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that the Richmond School Board voted 8-1 Monday night to declare its intent to change the name of J.E.B. Stuart Elementary School. The vote formally starts the renaming process, which includes at least a monthlong public comment period and two public hearings within the school's community.

Superintendent Jason Kamras recommended the school shed the name of the Confederate general and instead be named for Oliver Hill, a late civil rights attorney from Richmond. Hill's name was also suggested in 2003, during a failed attempt to rename the school.

The effort follows Petersburg's February vote to rename three Confederate-named schools.

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Information from: Richmond Times-Dispatch, http://www.richmond.com