BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Bakersfield City School District approved a proposal to rename two local schools, Bessie Owens Primary and Intermediate Schools.

During the BCSD board meeting Tuesday, the board voted 4-1 to rename Bessie Owens Intermediate to Abraham Lincoln Junior High. BCSD Deputy Superintendent Mark Luque stated the new name would take effect on July 1, 2022.

The board also voted to rename Bessie Owens Primary to Bessie Owens Elementary School effective July 1, 2022.

The district said these changes are to account for increased enrollment. The district is planning to convert Owens Primary into a kindergarten through sixth grade school, and Owens Intermediate will be converted into a junior high with grades seventh and eighth.

The district said in September, the boundary committee will begin the process to redraw the district's boundaries for both Owens Primary and Owens Intermediate. The boundary committee recommends meeting several times over the next year to adjust school boundaries.

These projects are expected to cost approximately $28 million with funding provided by state matching funds and Measure N school bond funds that were approved by district voters in 2016.