HOUSTON – The group of taxpayers who threatened to sue the Houston Independent School District over its plan to rename several schools made good on their threat Thursday.

Parents from Reagan and Lanier filed the suit Thursday, seeking to block HISD from using $5 million in public funds to rename schools. It's money they say HISD voted on illegally.

The district approved new names for seven schools in May.

The group gave HISD 24 hours Tuesday to drop the plan of renaming before filing suit.

The lawsuit also seeks to protect the schools as monuments.

Members of the group against the name change say the board is doing more harm than good.

"It is not being done properly. It needs to stop," plaintiff Ron Kahanek said.

"HISD ignored our pleas and their own rules, a horrible lesson for our kids." Wayne Dolcefino, spokesman for the plaintiffs said. "It is a sad day when taxpayers and parents have to file a lawsuit to make the school district honor their duty as public servants. HISD will now waste more taxpayer money to defend their arrogance. Shame on them."

The board voted earlier this year to change the names of the schools, many of which had ties to the Confederacy.

The board agreed to rename Johnston Middle School to the Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School.

The board also approved changing Sidney Lanier Middle School to Bob Lanier Middle School and Lee High School to Margaret Long Wisdom High School. Heights High School is the new name of the former Reagan High School.

Yolanda Black Navarro Middle School of Excellence was renamed Jackson Middle School with the board's approval.

The board also approved the renaming of Dowling Middle School to Audrey H. Lawson Middle School and Davis High School to Northside High School.

The new names will go into effect with the upcoming 2016-2017 school year.