Staunton's school board voted 4-2 on Monday night to move on in part from a racial past that has divided the community, black and white, for decades.

The step they took was expected, but still seems likely to reverberate for years due to the divided opinion around the issue.

Robert E. Lee High School will no longer bear that name.

Anything but Lee was the decision of a school board with new members elected, in part, to make this very change.

Voting for the name to change:

Kenneth Venable

Amy Wratchford

Natasha McCurdy

Christine Poulson

Venable, the great-great-great grandson of Virginia slaves, said they need to make the school inclusive. He came back to Staunton and couldn’t rest. He "saw where we were and saw where we needed to move forward."

"I still think it is best for our students and our community to change the name," said Poulson.

Wratchford said the name of Robert E. Lee and other confederate names have been "turned into weapons to be used against people of color," and to keep the current name would be complacent with that form of hate.

More:Livestream: Tonight's discussion replay

Against:

William Lobb

Robert Boyle

Vice Chair Boyle said although he does not support changing the name, he will accept any decision from the board tonight. He said Staunton needs to move on and focus on accreditation, graduation and success.

Two drafts of a motion had been drawn up by legal counsel. One for keeping the name and one for changing the name.

The board heard public comment Monday on the issue, and the process capped a summer of community discussion led by an outside moderator.

Next, the board plans to ask for community suggestions for a new name.

More:Staunton uneasy about possible aftermath of high school name debate

Here's what people had to say during the public input part of the meeting: