The groundbreaking for the expansion and renovation of Buford Middle School is set for this Friday. But before shovels symbolically overturn dirt, Charlottesville City Schools want a new name to be in place before the project is completed by August 2025 and Superintendent Royal Gurley is suggesting Charlottesville Middle School.
“This recommendation follows the current trend to move away from school names that honor individuals,” said Superintendent Royal Gurley in a release send out this morning. “We are essentially building a new school serving grades 6 through 8. The recommended name is fitting since this middle school will become the place that welcomes all Charlottesville sixth-graders from their neighborhood elementary schools.”
The Charlottesville School Board discussed the issue last week and will take a vote at their meeting on June 27. Community input can be sent to schoolboard@charlottesvilleschools.org.
Buford is currently named for Florence Buford, the first principal at Clark Elementary who served in that role from 1931 to 1964.
Clark is now known as Summit Elementary School. Venable Elementary School is now Trailblazers. Work on two other elementary schools is currently on hold due to the recent redistricting. (read that story)
Construction work at the future Charlottesville Middle School will begin on June 12. A full set of visuals is available for you to review.
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