Henrico School Board to consider new school-naming rules Aug. 27

The Henrico School Board will consider new rules Aug. 27 that generally would steer the school division away from naming future schools and facilities after people, corporations or political organizations, while establishing a more formal process for soliciting and evaluating suggestions from the public.

The board will discuss the proposed revisions during a 4 p.m. work session at the New Bridge Learning Center auditorium, 5915 Nine Mile Road, before considering their approval during its monthly meeting later that day. (The board also will host its monthly meeting the same day at 6:30 p.m.)

As part of the proposal, names of people generally would not be recommended for future schools or facilities. Commercial and corporate names, names promoting political organizations or campaigns, and certain trademarked or copyrighted names also generally would be excluded.

Instead, HCPS would emphasize names with geographic, historical, educational, cultural or environmental significance. Possibilities specifically identified in the proposed regulation include communities, neighborhoods, historic districts, parks, roads, rivers and natural features, as well as themes such as leadership, innovation, discovery, service, excellence, stewardship and resilience.

The rules would apply prospectively and would not require any existing Henrico school or facility to be renamed simply because its current name would not meet the new criteria.

The proposal also would establish a more detailed public process for naming or renaming schools. Once the School Board initiates the process, HCPS generally would open a public nomination period lasting at least 30 days. Nominations would include the proposed name, its significance and, when applicable, its connection to Henrico County, HCPS or the surrounding community.

The superintendent or a designee then would review the nominations against the established criteria before presenting one or more recommendations to the School Board, along with a summary of public input and the rationale for the recommendations. The School Board would retain final authority over school and facility names.

The proposal treats mascots and other school identity elements differently. A school could change its mascot without changing its name and without school board approval. The principal would lead that process, subject to approval from the chief of school leadership.

Before moving forward, a school would have to evaluate the financial and operational effects of a change, including the potential cost of replacing uniforms, gym-floor markings, scoreboards, banners, marquees, signs, artwork and other materials. Schools also would have to identify funding, solicit input from students, staff and the school community, and develop an implementation plan.

The school board last revised its school-naming policy in September 2020.

Henrico Education Foundation to outline new strategic plan

During the work session, the board also is expected to receive an update from the Henrico Education Foundation about its impact during the past year and its new strategic plan for 2026-29.

The foundation's plan centers on four areas: strengthening its relationships with HCPS schools and leadership; expanding community investment and fundraising; evaluating the impact and sustainability of its programs; and strengthening its own operations, finances and governance.

HEF reports awarding $132,088 through 21 innovative grants during the 2025-26 school year, affecting nearly 13,750 students and teachers at elementary, middle and high schools and other HCPS programs. It also awarded $65,500 in scholarships to 23 students from eight high schools.

Other investments included $10,000 for All Henrico Reads, $14,330 for LifeReady '26, $7,000 for Teacher of the Year awards and $4,176 for Challenger Day. The foundation also reports 669 students enrolled at 10 sites through its 21st Century Community Learning Centers and 742 students served through Learning & Discovery programming.

The work session also includes a scheduled closed session.

The board's next scheduled work session after Aug. 27 will be Sept. 10 at 3 p.m.