The San Diego Unified School District is beginning a process to rename a Southcrest elementary school following sexual abuse allegations against deceased labor leader César Chávez.
The SDUSD’s Board of Education began the formal renaming process for César Chávez Elementary School on Tuesday night, the first step in a “structured, community-driven process designed to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and meaningful engagement.”
“We recognize that this is not a simple or easy moment,” said district superintendent Fabi Bagula.
“It calls for us to lead with clarity, with care, and with integrity. Our focus remains on supporting our students and community, creating space for meaningful dialogue, and ensuring that the outcome of this process reflects the values we hold as a district.”
A district regulation usually limits the SDUSD to one school name or mascot change each year, but the board considered the item regardless, reflecting the severity of the Chavez allegations. The process will include the formation of a naming committee and opportunities for the community to provide input.
Meanwhile, the county Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 in support of renaming César Chávez Day to Farm Workers Day, following sexual abuse allegations against deceased labor leader earlier this month.
The board directed Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton to return April 21 with an ordinance mandating the name change, and to send a letter to appropriate state and federal officials in support of the change.
“The names we choose to elevate and commemorate carry weight,” Aguirre said. “When credible concerns arise about a figure, it is appropriate to pause and reassess.”
The San Diego Community College District, which has a César E. Chávez Campus in Barrio Logan, along César E. Chávez Parkway, will review a potential renaming of the campus at its April 6 board meeting.
The New York Times published a story one day after the United Farm Workers and the César Chávez Foundation announced that they would not honor the late labor leader on this year’s state holiday on March 31, citing “disturbing allegations.”
The Times said its story was based on interviews with more than 60 people, including top Chávez aides at the time, his relatives and former members of the UFW.
The story quotes three women, including another heralded labor leader, Dolores Huerta. One woman said Chávez took her into his office when he was 45 and she was 13, kissed her and pulled her pants down. She said dozens of sexual encounters followed over the next four years, though she says none involved intercourse.
Another said she was 12 when Chávez groped her breast, and 15 when he arranged to have her stay at a motel and had sexual intercourse with her.
Huerta, who will turn 96 on April 10, said that Chávez drove her to a secluded grape field in Delano, California, in 1966 and raped her in the vehicle. She added she never reported the attack out of concerns for police hostility toward Chávez and the labor movement, and because she feared she wouldn’t be believed.
“Unfortunately, he used some of his great leadership to abuse women and children — it’s really awful,” Huerta said.
Chávez, 66, died in 1993.
Updated 7:20 p.m. March 25, 2026