Rename Magruder Elementary? York school board wants to hear from you

Good morning! Today is May 13...York County's school board wants a citizen survey; James City County supervisors vote this afternoon on the county's budget and on higher water and sewage fees.

York residents will get a say in Magruder Elementary School’s name

York County School Board members want to hear from county residents before making a decision on the name of Magruder Elementary School.

At a work session Monday night, they asked Superintendent Victor D. Shandor to bring a proposal to their regular meeting next week to survey county residents about the idea.

“I’d like to hear what the community says,” said District 1 Representative Mark J. Shafer, in whose district the school is located.

The future of Magruder’s name has been in play since 2020, when Bruton resident Mary Lassiter and her brother Carl Lassiter began a campaign to rename Magruder Elementary as well as James Blair Middle School in Williamsburg.

After a survey of residents found only a third favored changing James Blair’s name, the Williamsburg-James City County school board tabled the idea last week.

James Blair is named for the founder of William & Mary, who owned slaves during the 17^th century.

Gen. John B. Ma…