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Board hears update on proposed naming of high‑school court, committee weighing $250,000 donation and legacy concerns
Summary
Administrators told the board a naming request to honor Gary Lincoln for the high-school court remains under committee review; the request includes a $250,000 donation and members discussed separating philanthropic contributions from legacy recognition.
The board received an update Aug. 11 on a citizen request to name a high-school gymnasium basketball court for the late Gary Lincoln. Superintendent Jim Ridgeway said the district’s naming-of-facilities committee has sought clarifying information from the requester (Lincoln’s son, Ben) and has not yet made a recommendation to the board.
Ridgeway said the request, as filed, would name the facility the Ed Greenwood Sports Complex (the district had issued a press release announcing the renaming in advance of the dedication), and that the request is accompanied by a planned $250,000 donation and an ongoing partnership commitment. Administration and committee members discussed whether and how to separate legacy recognition from philanthropic contributions.
Ridgeway summarized the committee’s deliberations: the committee generally felt Lincoln’s contributions to the district warranted recognition but asked follow-up questions about the scope of the request and whether any other requests were pending. "If we were to move forward with it, it would come with a $250,000 donation," Ridgeway said. He said he will return to the naming committee with additional details and that any final recommendation would be presented at a regular board meeting with public notice so community members may comment.
Several board members expressed concern that naming decisions not appear transactional — that is, not solely driven by a donation amount — and asked administration to ensure community input and transparent criteria for naming decisions.
Ending: Administration will reconvene the committee, gather the requested clarifications from the requester, and return with a committee recommendation at a subsequent regular meeting; no board action was taken on naming at the Aug. 11 meeting.
