Trump, Hitler, Schooly McSchoolerson in running for renaming Robert E. Lee Elementary

AUSTIN, Texas — Robert E. Lee Elementary is one step closer getting a new name.

More than 240 suggestions were submitted as possibilities to replace the school name Robert E. Lee Elementary after the Austin school board voted to rename the campus last month. Submissions were accepted through April 15.

While most names received only one nomination, others received dozens, including 34 to keep the name the same. Although the district didn't police whether the name person could submit a name multiple times, here are the names with the most votes:

• Donald J. Trump Elementary, 45 submissions
• Russell Lee Elementary, 32 submissions
• Harper Lee Elementary, 30 submissions
• Elizabet Ney Elementary, 15 submissions
• Lee Elementary, 13 submissions
• Dr. Frances J. Nesmith Elementary, 13 submissions

Some students made humorous submissions, including Schoolie McSchoolface, Schooly McSchoolerson and Schooly McSchoolerton.

Changing the name of a school named for a Confederate general was an issue debated for months. In January, the campus advisory council voted unanimously for a name change, asking the school board to consider the request.

The Austin school board instructed the administration to compile the nominations and work with the school’s campus advisory council before bringing options before the board on May 23.

Lee is the only school in the Austin district to request a name change amid a national rethinking of monuments to the Confederacy. It’s unclear whether three other Austin schools that bear the names of Confederate icons will be considered for renaming by the school board.

But not all were in support of the change, and some of the submissions appeared to be in protest of any change, including Adolf Hitler School for Friendship and Tolerance, Ignorance is Bliss, Hypothetical Perfect Person Memorial and Bleeding Heart Liberal.

Cox Media Group