Name change considered for Victoria school whose namesake supported racial segregation

The Greater Victoria School District has launched an online survey to gather input on whether or not to change the name of an elementary school named after a former school board chair who championedsegregation in the early 1900s.

cole George Jay Elementary School, in Victoria, B.C., is named after George Jay, who sat as board chair from 1907 to 1934. According to currentchair Jordan Watters, Jay's past racial policies hassome people questioning if the school should bear his name.

Watters said when Jay was appointedhemade Chinese students take English tests,even though there were many other students that did not speak English as their first language. In the 1920s, Jay put all the Chinese students in separatebuildings. He also refused to hireChinese labourers to build new schools.

"I've been aware of conversations around changing the name for at least 12 years,"said Watters in an interview on CBC's On The Island Monday. "Now we are at a moment where there is the political will, the community energy and the broader zeitgeist as a lot of communities are having these conversations."

In 2017, two Vancouver schools were renamed to reflectIndigenous communities and in June 2019, the Vancouver School Board removed a plaquecommemorating Cecil Rhodes,a businessman who disregarded the rights of Indigenous people, froman elementary school on the city's West Side.

Watters said this name change feels personal because she now occupies the seat Jay once held.

"This one is particularly important that the district tackle, because George Jay was one of our own," said Watters.

The survey, which is available until Oct. 31 at 4:00 p.m. PT, has just one question. It asks people if they support the renaming, if they do not support it, or if they mightsupport it once they know the new naming options.

"We are looking forward to this process of conversation with the community about how we can right these historical wrongs in the way that feels good."

Watters said a decision should be made by the end of the school year.

An open house will be held at the school, located at 1118 Princess Avenue,on Nov. 6 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. PT.