Loudoun County School Board Approves School Renamings, Sparking Debate Over $1.2 Million Taxpayer Cost defended by Melinda Mansfield

The Loudoun County School Board has ignited controversy with its recent decision to rename several schools, a move estimated to cost taxpayers between $1.1 million and $1.25 million. The initiative, aimed at addressing historical ties to slavery and the Confederacy, has drawn both support and sharp criticism, particularly over its financial impact and priorities amidst pressing educational needs.

On April 22, 2025, the School Board voted to rename two schools effective July 1, 2025: Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School in Leesburg, now Mildred and Richard Loving Elementary School, and Mercer Middle School in Aldie, renamed Gum Spring Middle School. The renamings address names linked to problematic historical associations—Frances Hazel Reid was a co-founder of a United Daughters of the Confederacy chapter, and Charles Fenton Mercer was tied to the American Colonization Society and enslavement. The cost for these two changes alone is estimated at $71,000 for the elementary school and $213,000 for the middle school, covering signage, spiritwear, and other materials.

The broader renaming effort targets nine schools identified by the Black History Committee of the Friends of the Thomas Balch Library in 2022, following a 2020 review by History Matters, LLC. The schools include Belmont Ridge Middle School, Belmont Station Elementary School, Seldens Landing Elementary School, Sully Elementary School, Hutchison Farm Elementary School, Emerick Elementary School, and Ball’s Bluff Elementary School, named after a Confederate Civil War victory. Estimated costs for renaming all nine range from $125,000-$135,000 per elementary school, $130,000-$140,000 per middle school, and up to $650,000 for a high school, totaling the projected $1.1-$1.25 million.

School Board Chair Melinda Mansfield has defended the initiative, arguing that “the financial cost of changing names shouldn’t be a barrier to righting a wrong deliberately put into place to resist school integration and equality.” Supporters, including Broad Run District representative Linda Deans, emphasize the psychological impact of school names on students, suggesting they can contribute to anxiety or even PTSD.

However, critics, led by Ashburn District representative Deana Griffiths, have slammed the plan as a misuse of taxpayer funds. Griffiths, who voted against both renamings, estimated the total cost could reach $25 million when factoring in long-term expenses like athletic uniforms and infrastructure updates, though district estimates are lower. “How does renaming schools help in achievement? How does this retain teachers, or help in literacy? There is no data to support achievement by doing this,” Griffiths told DC News Now. She argues the funds could better address teacher retention, school supplies, or infrastructure, such as the $1.5 million needed for heating and cooling units at Mercer Middle School by 2026.

Public sentiment, as reflected in community surveys and online reactions, is mixed. A December 2024 survey showed 53% of respondents opposed renaming Frances Hazel Reid Elementary, with 59% opposition among Leesburg residents. Posts echo the divide, with some users calling the renamings “wasteful” and a “flushing of tax dollars”.

The renaming process has also raised questions about transparency and necessity. The Loudoun County Republican Committee criticized the $305,000 spent on History Matters, LLC, noting that much of the research, such as details on Charles Fenton Mercer’s abolitionist stance, was freely available online. Critics also point to the $1.5 million spent in 2022 to change Loudoun County High School’s mascot from “Raiders” to “Captains,” questioning whether similar costs will balloon for future renamings.

As the School Board prepares to form renaming committees for the remaining seven schools, the debate intensifies over balancing historical reckoning with fiscal responsibility. With Loudoun County Public Schools‘ $1.96 billion budget for 2025-26 already under scrutiny, the renaming costs have become a flashpoint for broader discussions about educational priorities.

For more details on the renaming process and public hearings, visit the Loudoun County Public Schools website. The School Board’s next steps, including timelines for the remaining renamings, are expected to be announced in the fall.