EASTPOINTE, Mich. (AP) - Nearly 25 years after the city of East Detroit changed its name to Eastpointe, the city’s school district is following suit.
The East Detroit Board of Education voted Monday to rename East Detroit Public Schools to Eastpointe Community Schools. Officials say the change will be reflected throughout the district’s buildings and educational programs.
“We carry fond memories of East Detroit’s legacy,” Board Vice President Karren MacKool said. “The change to Eastpointe Community Schools is an opportunity to grow our bond as both a district and community. We fully support this change and look forward to the future of Eastpointe Community Schools.”
Residents voted to rename the city in 1992, to distance the community from neighboring Detroit. Supporters hoped renaming the city would associate it with more affluent communities.
The decision to change the school district’s name has received mixed reactions. Some residents said the name change makes sense because it matches the city’s name, while others said they favored the East Detroit title to recognize the community’s history.
“It just makes me sad,” said Miranda Pare, who attended East Detroit High School.
A district spokeswoman said no funds have been allocated yet toward changing the signs. The name change takes effect July 1.
The name change comes about a month after the board approved a series of restructuring efforts aimed at improving student achievement.
In the fall, the district will expand its half- and full-day early childhood programs. There will also be a new restructured middle school seeking participation in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. The high school will be offered an expansion of a career-focused technical education program and a virtual academy.
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