LA PLATA, Md. — The Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) School Renaming Committee has been asked to propose additional names for General Smallwood Middle School during the March 11 meeting.
The three final name options initially presented at the Feb. 24 meeting were Potomac Ridge Middle School, West Charles Middle School, and West Side Middle School.
A virtual community feedback meeting was held Feb. 27, drawing 12 live viewers and multiple public comments. Attendees expressed support for West Side Middle School and Potomac Ridge Middle School, while some questioned the meaning behind “West Side.” Additional feedback was submitted via email, including a recommendation from the Charles County NAACP to replace “West Side Middle School” with “Edna Warren Simmons Middle School.”
Board Member Jamila Smith requested that the renaming committee consider additional options.
“I would like to request my colleagues to support me in asking the renaming committee to review a few other names to bring before us because some of the names I am just not excited about,” Smith said.
The board requested the committee return with three additional name options at the next meeting to ensure a final decision can be made in April.
Following Board of Education Policy 7230, which governs school renaming procedures, the committee reviewed 41 name submissions before deciding to focus on geographic locations rather than individuals.
Surveys conducted among students and staff at General Smallwood Middle School showed differing preferences. Among 54 staff members, 61% favored Potomac Ridge Middle School, while among 409 students, 52% preferred West Side Middle School.
The Board of Education is expected to make a final decision at its April work session, with the name transition set to be completed by August 2025.
For more details, including the full list of name submissions, visit the CCPS website.
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$64,000-$124,000 Just to degrade a Revolutionary War hero because he followed the normal farming procedures for his time.
Let’s rename everything and everyplace named after George Washington too.
Or, maybe just pick parts of our history to erase.