Committee drafts three-part approach for school naming and renaming; will return for further review

The Policy Review Committee reviewed proposed changes to Policy 8.99 on naming school buildings and facilities and directed staff to return the item for additional committee consideration.

Dr. Chris Belmont, assistant superintendent, presented a recommendation from Dr. Battle and staff that restructures the policy into three parts: a general policy outlining board responsibility for naming buildings, a process section designating the superintendent or designee to manage an inclusive community committee that will recommend names to the board, and a guiding-principles section to set criteria. Belmont said the guiding principles could include land- or nature-based names, geographic references, or naming after individuals but recommended that names reflecting people should be of "regional, state or national repute" with a documented rationale.

Committee members stressed the value of a transparent vetting process and suggested a regulation to document detailed vetting steps so the community can review how candidates are evaluated. Belmont and staff noted that while APAC (family advisory) recommended limiting school names to land-based options, the proposed policy preserves flexibility for future boards. Staff said they will draft a regulation to accompany the policy because school renaming is infrequent and the process should be transparent.

The committee directed staff to prepare a revised draft and noted the recommendation will be added to the board book for the February 27 meeting. The transcript records the committee adjourning after the discussion; no formal vote to adopt policy occurred at the committee meeting.