Board to empanel naming committee after dispute over renaming Wylie building to "Sixth Grade Center"

Board members expressed concern that the district’s process for renaming the former Wylie School — now being called the Sixth Grade Center — had moved forward without the formal naming process laid out in district policy 4.15. The board responded by asking the superintendent to convene a naming committee and accepting volunteer representatives to participate.

Member Jennifer Hixson read a timeline and copies of policy 4.15 during board reports, saying a state filing in May had assigned a new RCDTS number and that she had not seen a formal board nomination or the minimum required public submissions. Hixson said she had emailed the superintendent and later replied that the board “must now live up to our responsibilities as representatives of the public, and address this squarely and honestly.” She also said she believed the board had not provided sufficient oversight.

The superintendent had replied, in writing to the board, that (1) commemorations or memorials require submissions to the superintendent, who then forms a committee for a recommendation to the board; (2) citizens and staff had had time to submit nominations; and (3) many stakeholders had called the building “Sixth Grade Center” during planning and branding, which drove internal signage and renderings. The superintendent’s message, as summarized during the meeting, said rebranding costs were significant at this stage.

Board members discussed the procedure for naming: the policy requires a formal letter of nomination accompanied by a minimum of 10 signatures or supporting letters, and the superintendent appoints a committee whose recommendation returns to the board for final action. The board asked the superintendent to reach out to the two community members who had submitted letters and to empanel a committee; several board members volunteered to serve. Ben and Lindsey (board members) volunteered to be on the naming committee and will work with the superintendent and community petitioners.

No formal vote was recorded in the meeting minutes for renaming; the action taken on the floor was direction to the superintendent to form a committee and to invite the petitioners and school staff to participate in the review process. Board members said the committee may make multiple recommendations to the board, including recommending other ways to honor individuals in district facilities. The board emphasized it will follow the policy’s public process going forward.