Phoenix Union Votes to Change Cesar Chavez High School Name

School will temporarily be renamed Champion Circle High School amid sexual abuse allegations against labor leader.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 1:49am

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The Phoenix Union High School District has voted to change the name of Cesar Chavez High School following sexual abuse allegations against the late labor leader. The school will temporarily be renamed Champion Circle High School, and the district will gather community feedback to permanently rename the school in the future. The total cost of the renaming is estimated at over $2.3 million.

Why it matters

The decision to rename the school comes after a New York Times investigation detailed allegations that Chavez sexually abused multiple women, including a co-founder of the United Farm Workers. This has led to a broader re-evaluation of Chavez's legacy and the appropriateness of honoring him with public facilities.

The details

The Phoenix Union governing board voted to temporarily change the school's name to Champion Circle High School to keep the CCHS acronym for the upcoming graduation season. The district also approved a plan to permanently rename the school in the future, including creating a facility naming committee and gathering community feedback before presenting the top three names to the board for a vote. Community members asked the board to allow students to have a say in the new name.

  • The Phoenix Union High School District voted to change the school's name on March 27, 2026.
  • In December 2025, Phoenix Union eliminated 167 positions due to a $20 million budget shortfall tied to declining enrollment.
  • The Phoenix City Council voted unanimously on March 26, 2026 to strip local parks, libraries, streets and public buildings of Chavez's name.
  • The state of Arizona will not be recognizing Cesar Chavez Day this year, according to Gov. Katie Hobbs on March 17, 2026.

The players

Phoenix Union High School District

The school district that voted to change the name of Cesar Chavez High School.

Cesar Chavez

The late labor leader who the high school was previously named after, but is now facing allegations of sexual abuse.

Dolores Huerta

The United Farm Workers co-founder who was allegedly sexually abused by Cesar Chavez, according to a New York Times investigation.

Gov. Katie Hobbs

The governor of Arizona who confirmed the state will not be recognizing Cesar Chavez Day this year.

Phoenix City Council

The city council that voted unanimously to strip local parks, libraries, streets and public buildings of Chavez's name.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This decision by the Phoenix Union High School District highlights the growing movement to re-evaluate public honors for historical figures accused of sexual abuse, even those previously celebrated for their social justice work. It raises questions about how to balance a complex legacy and the need to stand with victims of abuse.