AUSTIN — An advisory committee for Robert E. Lee Elementary school voted Tuesday to change the name of the school.

(Article by KVUE, republished from http://www.kvue.com/story/news/local/2016/01/26/committee-votes-change-name-robert-e-lee-elementary/79372212/)

Lee Elementary is named after the former Confederate General who fought against the United States in the Civil War.

The push to rename schools that honored Confederate soldiers and leaders gained steam in 2015 in the wake of a deadly mass shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. The shooter espoused views that aligned with the neo-Confederate groups and was seen in videos holding a Confederate flag.

The final decision will come from the Austin Independent School District board which will take up the issue at a later meeting.

Earlier this month, Houston ISD voted to change the name of four schools, including Robert E. Lee High School there.

Read more at: http://www.kvue.com/story/news/local/2016/01/26/committee-votes-change-name-robert-e-lee-elementary/79372212/