Two Athens elementary schools may have new names by the 2023-24 school year, according to Athens-Clarke County Board of Education officials.
On Thursday, the BOE voted unanimously to initiate a process to consider renaming Alps Road and Chase Street elementary schools after receiving a request from Board President Dr. LaKeisha Gantt. Gantt asked the BOE to rename the schools after the first African-American teachers who taught there after Athens public schools’ integration. If her nominations are passed, Alps Road will be renamed Bettye Henderson Holston Elementary and Chase Street will be Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary.
BOE members have until Jan. 12 to nominate alternative names for the schools. The BOE encourages Athens families to contact their Board representatives for name recommendations and questions.
The BOE plans to vote on renaming the schools at its Feb. 9 meeting.
