Discussion comes amid nationwide backlash following abuse allegations detailed in recent reporting

Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - Las Cruces Public Schools will hold a special Board of Education meeting next week to gather public input on the possible removal of the Cesar Chavez Elementary School name.

The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, at the school, located at 5250 Holman Road.

The discussion comes as communities across New Mexico and the country reconsider honoring Chavez following recent reporting detailing allegations of sexual abuse involving the late labor leader.

A New York Times investigation published in March reported accusations that Chavez sexually abused girls and assaulted women during his time leading the United Farm Workers union. The report included accounts from multiple women, including co-founder Dolores Huerta, who said Chavez sexually assaulted her in the 1960s.

The allegations have prompted widespread backlash, with governments, schools and organizations moving to remove Chavez’s name from public buildings, events and holidays across several states.

In New Mexico, officials in Santa Fe recently voted to remove Chavez’s name from an elementary school, while similar renaming discussions have taken place in Albuquerque in recent weeks.

LCPS officials said the April 8 meeting will focus exclusively on the potential removal of the school’s name, with public comment limited to that topic.

Students, staff, families and community members will be able to provide input in person or by email to input@lcps.net. District officials said all submitted comments will be shared with the Board of Education.

The meeting will also be livestreamed.