The following is a public email from DJUSD Superintendent Matt Best:
The Board of Education of the Davis Joint Unified School District has indicated that César Chávez Elementary School will be renamed. The District will be forming a committee of interested individuals to make recommendations to the Board on the renaming of the school.
Purpose
Recent revelations of abuse and assault by labor rights activist and co-founder of the United Farm Workers César Chávez have shocked and disturbed our community. This news is especially impactful for the César Chávez Elementary (CCE) school community. At its April 2, 2026 meeting, the DJUSD Board of Education agreed to form a committee and a call for interested applicants to serve on a committee that would provide recommendations to rename the school before the end of the 2025-26 school year.
Committee Details and Expectations
- Details about the type, size and structure of the committee will be determined by the Board at the April 16, 2026 Board of Education meeting
- Committee members will be selected from a pool of interested individuals
- Final selections will be made the week of April 20, 2026 and invitations will go out to selected committee members for the first meeting to be held the week of April 27.
- The Committee will meet 4 times (or more if needed), for about 2 hours each session, prior to the end of May 2026
- The Committee will vet ideas from the community and form recommendations.
- I will bring a final recommendation for Board action at the Board of Education meeting scheduled for June 4, 2026.
Would you be Interested in Serving on the Renaming Committee?
If you wish to serve on the CCE Renaming Committee, complete the linked Interest Form. The interest form will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17. Final selections will be made the week of April 20, 2026.
If you have any questions, visit www.djusd.net/CCERenaming or email Chief Strategy Officer, Maria Clayton at mclayton@djusd.net.
Do you have an idea for consideration by the Renaming Committee?
If you have an idea for renaming the school, please submit your idea and rationale at Renaming CCE Suggestion Form. This form will close at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 26.
Thank you for your continued engagement and care for our schools. We appreciate your willingness to participate, share ideas and help guide this important decision for our students and community.
