Midland ISD Reverts to Confederate-Linked School Name
Midland ISD became the first district in Texas to revert back to a Confederate-linked school name change late Tuesday, voting 4-3 to restore Midland Legacy High School back to Midland Lee five years after it was renamed Legacy amid a nationwide racial reckoning.
The change will take effect in the 2026-27 school year, so Allen will still be playing Legacy at Eagle Stadium on Aug. 29 in Week 1 of the Texas high school football season.
The name change reverses a 2020 decision spurred by protests after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. That July, Midland ISD approved dropping the Lee moniker in favor of Legacy, which has served as the name for five academic calendars.
Background of the Name Change
The original name honoring Confederate general Robert E. Lee had drawn decades of scrutiny but also fierce loyalty from alumni, particularly those tied to the school’s football legacy, which includes three state titles under coach John Parchman and star running back Cedric Benson.
High School Sports
Reasons Behind the Reversion
Midland ISD Vice President Josh Guinn, who was elected in 2024, spearheaded the push, framing it as a defense of local heritage.
“Here in Midland, Texas, our traditions—forged by generations of hardworking Midlanders—are the bedrock of our community,” Guinn wrote in a July 4 Facebook post. “These are not mere names; they are symbols of our shared pride, our unyielding commitment to unity, and our gratitude to the thousands who’ve funded this school to elevate education and strengthen our town. This is not about division— it’s about honoring the patriotic legacy that binds us.”
Cost and Implications
The school district paid $2 million to update its athletic and band uniforms, according to the Texas Tribune, as well as other signage. School board member Tommy Bishop, who voted against changing it back, told the Tribune going back to Lee could cost about $20,000.
Opponents of changing the name back to Lee argued that it would be offensive, particularly to students of color, and cited the school’s history, according to the Midland Reporter-Telegram. Lee was segregated when it opened in 1961, after the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education ruling that segregation was unconstitutional.
Public Opinion and National Context
In a survey by the Midland Reporter-Telegram, 75% of respondents favored reverting to Lee, with many citing nostalgia and dismissing ties to the Confederacy. Many described the 2020 renaming as a “woke” agenda being pushed. Some alumni argued that the majority of them were not in favor of the name change originally.
Midland Legacy did not change its mascot, which is still the Rebels. In 2020, one Dallas-area school decided to change its mascot from the Rebels to the Royals — Richland, in Birdville ISD.
Texas still has nearly 40 schools with Confederate ties, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
In 2017, Dallas ISD approved changing the names of three elementary schools that honored Confederate generals, including Lee.
The Midland ISD vote reflects the national divide over buildings and monuments with Confederate names and efforts to restore them. In June, President Donald Trump announced seven Army bases would revert to a variation of their original names, which honored Confederates, by being named after service members with similar names.
Conclusion
The decision to revert Midland Legacy High School back to Midland Lee has sparked controversy and debate. While some see it as a way to honor local heritage, others view it as a step backward and a potential source of offense for students of color. As the national conversation around Confederate symbols and names continues, the Midland ISD vote serves as a reflection of the complex and often divisive nature of this issue.
FAQs
Q: What was the original name of Midland Legacy High School?
A: The original name was Midland Lee, named after Confederate general Robert E. Lee.
Q: Why was the name changed to Legacy in 2020?
A: The name was changed amid a nationwide racial reckoning following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Q: How much did the school district pay to update its uniforms and signage after the 2020 name change?
A: The school district paid $2 million to update its athletic and band uniforms, as well as other signage.
Q: What is the expected cost of reverting back to the Lee name?
A: The expected cost is around $20,000, according to school board member Tommy Bishop.
Q: How many schools in Texas still have Confederate ties?
A: According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Texas still has nearly 40 schools with Confederate ties.
