York County School Board plans survey for McGruder name change feedback

The York County Schools Division School Board convened on June 2, 2025, to discuss significant developments regarding a potential name change for McGruder Middle School. The primary focus of the meeting was to outline a plan for gathering public feedback through a survey, aimed at assessing community opinions on the proposed name change.

During the discussions, board members expressed a preference for utilizing the Engage survey platform, which incurs no additional costs. This platform allows for a structured approach to collecting responses, ensuring that each participant can only submit one survey. The board emphasized the importance of limiting responses to residents within York County, while also considering input from alumni and taxpayers connected to the school.

To facilitate accurate data collection, the survey will include demographic questions, such as name and address, to help verify the identity of respondents and prevent duplicate submissions. The board discussed the potential challenges of ensuring that responses are limited to the appropriate geographic area, but they expressed confidence in the platform's ability to manage this.

The board agreed on the urgency of conducting the survey before the end of the school year, suggesting a timeline of 7 to 10 days for distribution and collection of responses. This proactive approach aims to demonstrate the board's commitment to engaging with the community and valuing their input on the name change.

In addition to the survey, the board acknowledged the need to assess the costs associated with changing the school's name, including updates to signage and other materials. They plan to gather this information alongside the survey results before making any final decisions.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to transparency and community involvement, highlighting the board's dedication to ensuring that all voices are heard in this important decision-making process.