RICHMOND, Va. – A Virginia middle school that was named in honor of a prominent segregationist will be renamed for a local historically black village.
News outlets report that the Henrico County School Board voted 3-0 Thursday to change the name of Harry F. Byrd Middle School to Quioccasin (kwee-ock-a-sin) Middle School.
The board had voted last month to remove Byrd's name from the Richmond school following a petition drive.
Byrd was a politician who fought against the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to end school segregation.
More than 1,600 people had suggested that the school be renamed in honor of former student Alysia Burton, who died on Sept. 11, 2001, but the board opted against naming the school after a specific person.
The new name takes effect next school year.
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