The first step for possibly re-naming a couple of Port Arthur schools took place on a drizzly Thursday evening.

The Port Arthur Independent School District board of trustees held an open discussion during their regular board meeting on the possibility of re-naming of Robert E. Lee and Dick Dowling Elementary Schools. The discussion took place during a time when residents have either been arguing to re-name or not re-name the schools.

“This has been coming as to whether we should or should not re-name two of our schools, Dick Dowling and Robert Lee,” PAISD superintendent Mark Porterie said.

Porterie acknowledged the timing of this consideration, alluding to the national dialog over memorials to the Confederacy.

“There is conversation in the community… It has evolved from what has happened in the United States,” Porterie said. “A lot of it comes from emotions.”

Porterie made it clear in regards to a possible re-naming that he didn’t think anyone was wrong and that it’s a matter of “personal opinion.”

As a result, Porterie and the board members made certain to keep their own opinions out of the conversation Thursday. Trustee Robert Reid said he would “suppress my opinion.”

“Personally, I think we should adhere to the word of the people,” Vice President Debra Ambroise said.

The board agreed to further discuss the possibility of re-naming the schools at the next board meeting on Sep. 28, where a public hearing will be held to gather input from the community.

The next step is a lengthier one where the board would accept nominations from residents to either change or not change the names of the two schools — and, if they decide to change, what those suggestions for new names would be.

At a later meeting, the board would decide whether or not to change the names of the schools.

“We will sit and listen,” Porterie said. “The final decision comes from the board of trustees — not a vote from the community, (but) a vote from the board.”