Iwas astonished to read about plans underway to rename Jefferson High School, as announced by the school’s principal Drake Shelton, (“ In the works for North Portland’s Jefferson High School: new theater, new name, new attendance boundaries, ” Aug. 22).

This issue was discussed several years ago in public meetings attended by community members, alumni of Jefferson High School (both Black and white) and students. The consensus of these gatherings was that there was pride associated with the name of the school, and that pride goes back several generations. A student body poll showed it did not feel the need to change the name.

Renovation of buildings does not require a name change. It hasn’t happened in some other Portland schools when buildings were upgraded. It is hard for us Portland

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