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School board committee denies request to name George Washington High gym for coach Harry Johnson under Policy FFA
Summary
A school committee denied a community request to name the George Washington High School gym for the late Coach Harry Johnson because Policy FFA requires an individual to have been deceased at least 10 years; the requester will be notified in writing.
The Danville Public Schools naming and school facilities committee on Thursday recommended denying a request to name the gymnasium at George Washington High School for the late Coach Harry Johnson because Policy FFA requires a person to be deceased at least 10 years before a facility may be named for them.
Miss Hilton, reporting for the committee, said Coach Johnson died in February 2020 and does not meet the policy’s 10-year requirement. "According to the policy, the gym at GW High School cannot be named after coach Harry Johnson because he has not been deceased for at least 10 years," she said.
The committee plans to provide written communication to the requester. Miss Hilton said, "Written communication will be provided to Mister Harris on the denial of this request." A correction was made in the meeting minutes to identify the requester as Jerome Morris.
Board members asked about next steps. When Chair Graves asked what would be required now that the committee had not recommended the presented candidates, Miss Hilton responded that "someone would have to present, from the community" if there were alternate nominees.
Why it matters: Policy FFA sets clear eligibility criteria for naming school facilities; compliance with that policy determined the committee’s recommendation. The committee’s decision is an administrative action that will be communicated to the requester, and community members may submit other nominees that meet the policy criteria.
No formal board vote on naming occurred during the meeting; the committee’s recommendation will be conveyed in writing and the board may consider alternate nominations in the future.
