Salt Lake City's oldest elementary school looks into name change
Salt Lake City — (KUTV) One of Salt Lakes City’s oldest elementary schools is looking into a name change. Many parents tell 2News Andrew Jackson, the 7th president of the nation, is not a name they want to be associated with.
“They definitely need to change that name,” said Michelle Hernandez a parent at the school. “He was as far as I’m concerned a genocidal maniac.”
"We are ready to honor somebody with our school name that doesn’t have such a divisive history,” parent Amanda Gracey said.
Jackson Elementary which is located at 700 West and 200 North is one of the oldest elementary schools in the city, dating back to 1883.
Today, nearly 80% of the 480 kids from kindergartners to 6th graders are minorities.
Last fall it was discussed to change the name because of the legacy left by Jackson.
Wednesday night during a public meeting at the school, a committee was put together to decide on whether to drop the name, replace it with another prominent Jackson name, or keep it the same.
"What I'm hearing from the community is once they found out his history fought 70% of the people we polled are not comfortable with the school being dedicated to him," Dr. Jana Edward the school’s principal said.
Greg Smoak, an associate professor of history at the University of Utah, points out two very big problems with the legacy of Andrew Jackson. One had to do with slavery the other removing American Indians.
"His wealth was really based on buying and selling human beings in the cotton trade,” Smoak said.
“He was the president who made Indian removal policy and priority of the United States.”
Another Meeting is scheduled to take place on October 12. The public is asked to weigh in on the issue by going to the schools website.
