Apr. 1, 2025 -- The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District is accepting applications for its new Monticello Middle School Renaming Task Force.

During the spring and summer of 2024, the CH-UH Board of Education began discussing the processes for the consideration of renaming Monticello Middle School. Monticello shares its name with a plantation owned by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson enslaved more than 600 people throughout his life, 400 of whom lived in bondage at the Monticello plantation. 

Following community engagement on the topic via focus groups, discussion sessions, and an online survey, consultant Dr. Gregory Hutchings presented these findings to the Board of Education on February 4, 2025. 

During the March 5, 2025 regular CH-UH Board of Education meeting, following discussion, the Board brought forth and approved a motion to ensure that Monticello Middle School has a new name by the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Read more about the entire renaming consideration process here.

Following discussion, deliberation, and research, the Monticello Middle School Renaming Task Force will decide upon no fewer than three new name options to present to the Board of Education by the May 2025 Board of Education work session. 

Membership on the task force is voluntary. Find the application here. The application deadline is Friday, April 11. 

MISSION: The Monticello Middle School Renaming Task Force will decide upon no fewer than three new name options to present to the Board of Education by the May 2025 Board of Education work session. 

CREATION: This task force shall be established pursuant to Board Policy 9140.01 - Citizens Task Force. As per the policy, the committee will have oversight from the Superintendent, or her designee. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: The CH-UH City School District and the Board of Education believe community engagement is essential to improving district decisions and outcomes for students. The task force will recommend at least three new name options for the Board of Education to consider. District staff will share all relevant items with the committee for research and discussion.

TIMELINE: The task force will meet in April and May at agreed upon times and submit recommendations to the Board of Education in May of 2025. 

MEMBERSHIP: The Superintendent, or her designee, will solicit applications for membership on the committee. We are seeking members who can provide valuable insight, expertise, and perspectives on the renaming of Monticello Middle School. 

CH-UH District staff members will be appointed to the committee under the direction of the Superintendent. A representative from the Board of Education will be included as an ex-officio member on the committee.