School district puts the kibbosh on Confederate talk (TX)

By Elizabeth Zavala, Staff Writer
July 30, 2015
Updated: July 31, 2015 12:15pm

When it comes to talking about the debate surrounding the name of Robert E. Lee High School, employees of North East ISD have been told to “refrain” from joining in the debate.

“While we understand that people have passionate opinions on this issue, it is important to remember that as district employees, you must be careful in expressing those opinions publicly, as they are likely to cause disruptions to the operations of school,” said a memo issued by the school district’s executive director of human resources. It specifically refers to Internet postings on social media sites and other forms of electronic communications.

Kayla Wilson, an incoming senior, started a change.org petition earlier this month to change the school’s name, which honors the head of the Confederate Army, and to eliminate all symbols of the Confederacy.

“Ever since I started going to Robert E. Lee, I kind of had a problem with the school being named after a Confederate leader,” Wilson said, when she started the petition. “I understand we can’t erase our past, but I don’t think we should celebrate it. Most of the people that do have a problem with (the name) are my black classmates” ...

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/article/School-district-puts-the-kibbosh-on-Confederate-6416265.php