The Madison Metropolitan School District’s (MMSD) Board of Education has unanimously voted to begin the community naming process for César Chávez Elementary School, using its authority under item 12 of Board Policy 6700.
The window for community members to submit naming proposals opens Wednesday, April 29, 2026, and will close on Friday, May 30, 2026.
The submission period marks the first step in a multi-phase process that includes community input, committee review and final consideration by the Board of Education. The district will convene an ad hoc renaming committee to help review submissions and recommend potential names for the school.
“This process gives our community an opportunity to help shape how our schools reflect our shared values and aspirations,” said Chelsey Tubbs, associate superintendent of educational programming, who is leading the effort on behalf of the district. “School names carry meaning, and we are committed to ensuring this work is thoughtful, inclusive and grounded in community voice.”
Proposals must include the significance of the suggested name and its connection to the Madison community, in alignment with district policy.
The renaming committee will be representative of the broader community and will review submissions before identifying up to four finalists for consideration. The committee will also host public engagement opportunities before forwarding recommendations to the Board of Education, which will make the final decision.
MMSD has recently used this same process to select the permanent name for Lori Mann Carey Elementary School, formerly Southside Elementary School, and to rename Thomas Jefferson Middle School as Ezekiel Gillespie Middle School.
Community members can submit proposals for the school’s new name on the MMSD website at the link below:
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Madison Metropolitan School District
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