TYLER — A group in favor of keeping Robert E Lee High School turned in a petition Monday at the Tyler ISD administration building, urging board members to stand their ground.
The group, "Save Our Name", collected nearly 1,000 signatures since Friday.
This comes just days after a parent-led coalition hosted a "Positive Postcard Party" on Thursday, writing to board members urging them to change the name of the high school.
Parent and founder of the group, Angela Smallwood said the issue is not about race, but erasing decades of memories.
"This is my heritage. My Dad. My aunts. Uncles. Cousins. My children. Myself," she said, explaining how many people in her family attended the school.
Members of the group, said money from the TISD bond passed in May 2017 should be spent on safety measures.
CBS19 reached out to Dawn Parnell said it is unclear if awards will be removed if the name is changed. As for transcripts, Parnell said everything will transfer smoothly.
"We are ready for the school board to take a vote so this is put to rest, and if the vote is to keep the name, we are ready to stand down and say, 'the decision has been made,'" Smallwood said.
The next TISD school board meeting is Monday, June 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the Plyer Complex, located at 807 W. Glenwood Blvd.
The agenda will be posted on Friday.