Signed by Robert Thompson, president of the Alumni Association in 1969, a letter expressed belief that to change the name of the Hungerford School was to adopt “a policy of showing complete disdain for outstanding leaders as Robert Hungerford.” [1]
[1] "Hungerford High Name Preferred." Orlando Sentinel, February 17, 1969.
In addition to issues concerning the school’s name, the logistics of integration and desegregation continued to plague the school board as they also encountered expansion concerns. A March 31, 1969 Orlando Evening Star article outlines the different logistical aspects of both integration and expansion: facilities, transportation, and consolidation. Deputy Superintendent Robert Cascaddan stated that closures and changes to facilities as the school board sought to reallocate resources were “part of the county’s long-range school use plan and [were] changes which would have been made anyway, aside from the desegregation case.” [2] There is an intriguing connection in the school board’s plans to proceed with integration and expansion simultaneously.
[2] Gloria Meltzer, "Desegregation Plan Cost Put at Near $50,000," Orlando Evening Star, March 31, 1969.
Approved in federal court by US District Judge George C. Smith and described as “controversial,” the school board’s Plan C would “retain freedom of choice” at the cost of “five of its sixteen all-Negro schools by next year.” Hungerford was listed as one of the ten elementary schools with “all-Negro student bodies”—one of 106 in Orange County.
Expected to increase enrollment of black students in integrated schools by 23 percent, Plan C proposed a few methods to “encourage integration”: the “transfer [of] many vocational-tech programs out of predominantly white schools,” and the implementation of “a counseling program…to encourage white students to enroll in formerly all-Negro schools.” Integration involved faculty as well with the same schools to “have biracial faculties,” with other schools to “have at least three teachers of the minority race.”
The transfer of vocational-tech programs out of white schools to black schools was touted as a benefit, but aspects of Plan C seem to point to a potential pitfall. Amendments made “to keep academic classes” following conversion to a vocational school implies that vocational instruction could come at the cost of academic education. These amendments were made following boycotts by more than 3,000 students in February in March—the first, protesting the conversion of Jones into a vocational school; the second, protesting the closing of Phyllis Wheatley. [3]
[3] Don Rider, "School Mix Plan Given Court Okay," Orlando Sentinel, May 14, 1969.
The changes to schools outlined throughout the article pull into focus an interesting trend as previously separate black and white school systems integrated. Black schools would lose their historically black namesakes such as Frederick Douglass and Phyllis Wheatley for names which referenced geographic or, in some instances, the Confederacy for students transferred to Robert E. Lee Elementary. It becomes evident that what was viewed as a progressive shift toward integration was, in actuality, the impending erosion of Black identity and educational heritage.
This is not to say that integration wasn’t necessary or needed, but that the transition did not consider the preservation of Black educational heritage a priority. It remained regulated to secondary status as Black schools were often the ones shuttered, with names switched to reference aspects other than names associated with Black representation, education, and legacy—such as Frederick Douglass’ oratory and literary ability, Phyllis Wheatley’s poetic and literary achievements, and Robert Hungerford’s selfless actions to help members of a Black community when other outsiders would not.
Looking at the history of names of Black educational institutions reveals a strong community connection. It reveals a legacy of community members coming together to prevent erosion and preserve legacy. It is a connection that persists today, and one that drives the community effort to preserve its name and the legacy that defines it.
Sources
[1] "Hungerford High Name Preferred." Orlando Sentinel, February 17, 1969.
[2] Gloria Meltzer, "Desegregation Plan Cost Put at Near $50,000," Orlando Evening Star, March 31, 1969.
[3] Don Rider, "School Mix Plan Given Court Okay," Orlando Sentinel, May 14, 1969.
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