NEW HAVEN, Conn. — The New Haven School Board voted to change the name of Christopher Columbus Family Academy.
The decision came as controversy over Christopher Columbus continues.
Some residents say Columbus he is an important part of Italian-American history. Others say he's a racist and slave trader.
Monday night, the Board of Education vote was 6-1 to change the name.
A new name has not been chosen yet.
One of the board members who voted against the measure said he doesn't support Columbus but says he is angry because the vote was done so quickly without input from the city’s Italian-American community.
Mayor Justin Elicker is on the Board of Education and also a parent at the school.
“I’m glad the New Haven Board of Education has taken proactive steps to change the name of Columbus Academy. Christopher Columbus, for many Italian Americans, is a celebration of Italian heritage. But Christopher Columbus also represents a time of colonialism and atrocities committed. I am a parent at this school, and I am proud we can take the right steps to address history in a respectful way," said Mayor Elicker in a statement.
New Haven is also planning to take down its Christopher Columbus statue in Wooster Square. The park commission voted to remove it within 60 days.