Judge weighs future of Confederate-linked school names in Shenandoah County

A Shenandoah County court case considers whether Confederate-linked school names violate federal law and hinder educational equity. The Shenandoah County School Board restored names like Stonewall Jackson High School, prompting a lawsuit by the NAACP Virginia State Conference and students, who argue the names promote racial exclusion and infringe on First Amendment rights. The judge previously ruled the board violated students' rights but has not yet issued a final decision.