First misleading statement: There were many other issues discussed at the board meeting, the “three hour hearing” implies that the three hours were dedicated to this issue.
Second: The school was established in 1959 NOT 1950.
You fail to mention the fact that the STUDENTS (over 53% black) of N.B. Forrest voted to keep the name. Independant polls taken by local news stations overwhelmingly supported keeping the name.
One board member rightfully stated her issue with changing the name was that the opposition came from OUTSIDE the alumni and immediate Forrest community. Alumni overwhelmingly support keeping the name for their tradition.

There is historical evidence to support that General Forrest did not support the radical racist activities of the Klan and was in fact a civil rights advocate in his later days. When we have atleast one former Klan member (a member when there was NO doubt about the Klan’s agenda, methods, or purpose; when it WAS a feared, hated, racist, terrorist organization in the 1940’s to 1960’s) serving as an elected official in Congress right now. Byrd joined the Ku Klux Klan when he was twenty four in 1942. His local chapter unanimously elected him Exalted Cyclops. Why should he be given a pass and be allowed to serve with honor while N.B. Forrest, who arguably never commited any “Hate Crimes” ; who in his later years addressed the Jubilee of Pole Bearers, an African-American political and social group about their equality and living in peace and unity; who was admired, respected, and loved by many of his former enemies and former slaves.

Atleast Yahoo covered the name change story more objectively. They presented both sides of the argument

Who the school was named after over 40 years ago and what he may or MAY NOT have done over 150 years ago are not the primary concerns of most who support leaving the name alone. We support the traditions and history that belongs to the over 100,000 previous alumni of N. B. Forrest and our children.

The decision to name the school N.B. Forrest may have been politically motivated and made for the wrong reasons, but the decision to leave it in place was made for the right reasons.

The Duval County School Board’s decision to not change the name of N.B. Forrest High School took courage and leadership. They made this decision knowing it would be seen by many as support or celebration of segregationist values of days long past. Their decision is based on what the vast majority of current and past alumni of the school want. I salute them.