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Georgia elementary school to be renamed for Michelle Obama

Photo by the Democratic National Committee via The New York Times / Former first lady Michelle Obama addresses the Democratic National Convention via video on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020.
Photo by the Democratic National Committee via The New York Times / Former first lady Michelle Obama addresses the Democratic National Convention via video on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. Photo by the Democratic National Committee via The New York Times / Former first lady Michelle Obama addresses the Democratic National Convention via video on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020.

By Associated Press 1 min read

JONESBORO, Ga. (AP) — A Georgia school board will seek permission to rename an elementary school for former first lady Michelle Obama.

The Clayton County Board of Education voted 7-2 Monday to rename South Clayton Elementary School to Michelle Obama STEM Elementary School, news outlets reported.

The board selected Obama over former U.S. Congressman John Lewis, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution said. Two dissenting board members voted in favor of naming the school in honor of the civil rights icon.

Under district policy, the system must now reach an agreement with Obama, board chairwoman Jessie Goree said. If Obama declines, leaders will seek permission to name the school after Lewis, officials said.

The Journal-Constitution said Obama has ties to the county south of Atlanta. Her great-great-great-grandmother was enslaved on a farm in northeastern Clayton, according to the outlet.