Roswell community opposes renaming Nancy Lopez Elementary to Rio Hondo Elementary

The Roswell Independent Schools Board meeting held on April 8, 2025, focused on a significant proposal regarding the potential renaming of Nancy Lopez Elementary School. The discussion was prompted by a request to conduct a survey gauging community interest in changing the school's name to either its original name, Flora Vista, or a new name, Rio Hondo Elementary.

The meeting began with a presentation advocating for the survey, emphasizing the importance of understanding community sentiment about the name change. The speaker highlighted the need for stakeholder engagement in this decision-making process.

Following this, several community members voiced their opinions on the proposed name change. Meghal Duran, a long-time resident and retired state employee, expressed strong opposition to renaming the school, citing Nancy Lopez's iconic status and her contributions to the community. Duran questioned the motivations behind the name change and urged the board to consider the historical significance of Lopez's name.

Reese Smoky, another community member, echoed these sentiments, recounting the challenges Lopez faced as a Hispanic athlete and emphasizing her role as a role model for young women. Smoky criticized the board for not consulting with parents and students at Nancy Lopez Elementary before considering the name change.

Another speaker reinforced the idea that Nancy Lopez's legacy should be preserved, arguing that her name represents hard work and success within the community. The speaker called for the board to focus on the community's feelings rather than pursuing a name change that could erase a significant part of their history.

The meeting concluded with an acknowledgment of the community's passionate responses, highlighting the deep connection residents have with Nancy Lopez Elementary School and the importance of preserving its name. The board's next steps regarding the survey and the name change proposal remain to be determined, as they consider the strong sentiments expressed by the community.