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Committee recommends renaming Clayton County’s Homeless Education Department to “McKinney-Vento MVP Pathway to Promise”
Summary
A committee appointed under district policy recommended renaming the Homeless Education Department to reflect the federal McKinney-Vento Act, citing dignity and reduced stigma; the recommendation will be brought to the board for consideration at a future work session.
A board-appointed committee recommended that the Clayton County Public Schools Homeless Education Department be renamed “McKinney-Vento MVP Pathway to Promise,” saying the name would align the department with the federal McKinney-Vento Act and reduce stigma for students experiencing homelessness.
“As chairman Schreiner indicated, he asked that I work on a committee with our homelessness and renaming,” the committee spokesperson said, summarizing the panel’s charge under board policy FDC. The spokesperson said the committee’s membership included Brenda Harrison, Crystal Perry, Dr. April Crawford, student Dorelin Ajile and Sonia Davis.
The committee described a timeline of meetings: a brainstorming meeting on June 3, a collaborative session with district communications on Aug. 1, and a committee review and selection on Aug. 12. The committee presented its top five name options and recommended “McKinney-Vento program MVP Pathway to Promise.” The spokesperson said the recommendation was intended to reflect the federal law and to “honor family with dignity, hope, and stability.”
The presentation recited the McKinney-Vento Act’s working definition of homelessness referenced by the committee: individuals lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, including those sharing housing due to economic hardship, living in motels, hotels or campgrounds, using shelters or staying in cars or parks.
The spokesperson also cited an educational-impact figure the committee used in its rationale, saying that children experiencing homelessness can experience “3 to 6 months of learning loss,” which the committee said underscores the importance of clear supports and visibility for the program.
Committee members told the board the recommendation is intended for board consideration and that they expect to present the proposal at a future work session; the transcript records board discussion of whether a formal recommendation would be placed on the next work-session agenda, but no board vote on the renaming was recorded during the meeting.
The committee said its recommendation reflects community input, comparative research from surrounding districts and a desire to reduce stigma while increasing visibility for services under the federal McKinney-Vento protections.
