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Roanoke County School Board hears request to name William Byrd softball field for coach Greg Barton; policy review planned
Summary
At its March 6 work session, the Roanoke County School Board received a presentation asking the board to grant an exception to Policy 3.44 (Naming of schools and school facilities) to name the William Byrd High School softball field "Greg Barton Field."
At its March 6 work session, the Roanoke County School Board received a presentation asking the board to grant an exception to Policy 3.44 (Naming of schools and school facilities) to name the William Byrd High School softball field "Greg Barton Field." The request was presented by school staff and supporters who said they followed the division's procedural steps for exceptions and that the candidate had provided written agreement to the naming.
Supporters in the room described Barton's long tenure, volunteer hours preparing fields and program leadership, and highlighted the program's 2019 state championship. Alan Wood identified himself as a William Byrd alumnus and current assistant coach and thanked the division for recent safety improvements to the field; several former players and community members spoke in favor of the naming during the informational item.
School staff said the division-wide committee reviewed the request for procedural compliance and that the board is the sole body authorized to grant exceptions to Policy 3.44. Several board members who served on the policy committee in 2017 described the committee's intent to set guardrails for naming facilities and recalled the board's decision to require a one-year separation from active employment in most cases. Board members said precedent exists for making exceptions and agreed the policy itself needs scheduled review.
Board members directed that the naming request remain an informational item at the March 6 work session and placed formal consideration on the agenda for the March 20 regular meeting. Several members supported forming or using a superintendent's committee, with board representation, to review Policy 3.44 as part of the division's periodic policy review process.
The presentation and public remarks did not include a formal board vote on the exception; no final naming action was taken on March 6. The board requested staff to return the item with the correct motion language and supporting documentation at the March 20 meeting so members can act then.
