MADISON, Wis.— The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is inviting students, families, staff and community members to participate in a virtual public hearing on Thursday, July 30, as part of the renaming of César Chávez Elementary School.

The hearing marks the next step in the district's community-driven naming process, which seeks to ensure school names reflect the values, history and identity of the Madison community. The district received 76 name proposals during the public submission period, and following a thorough review by the Citizens' Naming Committee, 16 names have advanced for public consideration. The finalized list is now available on the Chávez Elementary School naming process webpage.

The hearing will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom and livestreamed on the Board of Education's YouTube channel. Community members are encouraged to attend and may register in advance to provide live testimony or submit written comments for the committee's consideration. Spanish translation services will be provided.

Feedback gathered during the hearing will help inform the Citizens' Naming Committee as it develops a final recommendation to present to the Board of Education, which has final approval authority.

"Renaming a school is an opportunity to celebrate the values and aspirations that unite a community," said Chelsey Tubbs, MMSD associate superintendent of educational programming. "We are grateful to the members of the Citizens' Naming Committee members and chair, the Chávez school community and leadership, and the Board of Education for their thoughtful work throughout this process, and we encourage everyone with a connection to César Chávez Elementary School to share their perspectives as we move toward this important milestone."

Additional information, including the names under consideration, hearing details and instructions for providing public comment, is available on the Chávez Elementary School naming process webpage.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that MMSD will be a learning community where all students are valued, challenged, supported and inspired to reach their dreams. With more than 7,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.