Cesar Chavez: Phoenix Union High School District to rename school named after now-controversial activist

PXU considers renaming Cesar Chavez High School

Amid sexual abuse allegations, the legacy of the late Cesar Chavez is under intense scrutiny across Arizona, and now, a school that bears his name in the Laveen area could be renamed. FOX 10's Megan Spector reports.

PHOENIX - The legacy of Cesar Chavez is under intense scrutiny across Arizona, as local and state leaders weigh removing his name from public buildings and schools in light of sexual abuse allegations.

On March 26, Phoenix Union High School District's governing board met to discuss one of their schools that bears the name of the now-controversial labor activist.

The backstory:

According to the Associated Press on March 18, the New York Times found that Chavez, who died in 1993, groomed and sexually abused young girls who worked in the labor movement.

One of the alleged victims, according to the AP, is Dolores Huerta, who is a labor rights activist in her own right. Huerta, per the report, described two sexual encounters with Chavez, one where she was "manipulated and pressured" and another where she was "forced against my will."

Huerta later said both sexual encounters with Chavez led to pregnancies, which she kept secret, and that she arranged for the children to be raised by other families. "No one knew the full truth about how they were conceived until just a few weeks ago," she said in her statement.

Huerta also said in her statement that she stayed silent for 60 years out of concerns that her words would hurt the farmworker movement.

Big picture view:

Since the allegations against Chavez came to light, various entities have taken action regarding events and/or venues that bear his name.

In Arizona, Governor Katie Hobbs announced on March 17 that the state will not recognize Cesar Chavez Day on March 31, 2026.

On March 25, Phoenix City Council unanimously approved a motion to start the process of removing Cesar Chavez's name and renaming city holidays and facilities. Following the vote, the city renamed Cesar Chavez Day on their website.

On March 26, officials with the City of Tolleson announced via a statement that they will transition their annual Cesar Chavez Day to Farmworkers Day, or "El Dia de Campesino/a" in Spanish. The "o/a" in the Spanish name accounts for gender. Gendered terms are common in the Spanish language.

Outside of Arizona, the AP reported that California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill on March 26 to rename Cesar Chavez Day to Farmworkers Day.

What we know:

On March 26, Phoenix Union High School District's Governing Board met to start the process of renaming Cesar Chavez High School, which opened in 1999.

The board voted during the meeting to informally call the school "Champion Circle High School" until a final decision is reached. Members of the board agree the community should be part of the decision as well.

The board also voted to rename 2026's Cesar Chavez Day to "Farm Workers Appreciation Day." A new name for the holiday will be decided after further conversations.

What's next:

The school's renaming will follow a three-part process that includes:

• The formation of a diverse naming committee
• Gathering community feedback
• Holding a final board vote

By the numbers:

The board talked about the costs of renaming a school, which was brought up during the call to audience portion of the meeting. It was estimated that changing uniforms, gym floors, painting, turf and other items will cost about $2.3 million.

What they're saying:

We asked people waiting to pick up students from the high school on March 26 on what they think should be done with the school’s name.

"I guess with everything that’s going on, everything that’s come to light, I think they should go ahead and rename the high school," one person said. "His name shouldn’t be attached to the school or the park actually, so yeah, I think they should go ahead and change that."

"It’s up to the district," another person said. "I mean, I can understand the alma mater, you know people that have been here and even the local. I live here, but it doesn’t have an impact on me. My grandchildren are graduating, so it doesn’t matter."