North Kansas City Schools rename RB Doolin center to honor longtime board member Terry Ward

North Kansas City Schools held a dedication ceremony renaming the RB Doolin Center for Education Development to the Doolin Ward Center for Excellence in honor of Dr. Terry Ward, a longtime member of the district’s Board of Education.

Superintendent Rochelle Daniels opened the event and praised Ward’s service, saying, “Throughout my 26 years serving our school district, I’ve never known a board without Terry Ward.” Daniels credited Ward’s leadership with helping expand pre-K access, advance college- and career-readiness programs and drive major facility and technology improvements across the district.

The board’s president, Jan Kauk, described the renaming as “a distinction reserved only for those who have made historic and lasting impact on our schools and community.” Kauk noted the district rarely attaches individuals’ names to buildings and said the decision recognized the combined influence of Ward and former superintendent R. B. Doolin.

At the ceremony Sondra Mellinger, daughter of R. B. Doolin, spoke about the family’s history with the district and the origins of Ward’s public service. She said Ward had a brief hospitalization but was well enough to attend and that the family appreciated the board’s recognition.

In his remarks, Dr. Terry Ward reflected on district growth and long-term projects, saying the board had invested “almost a half a billion dollars in renovating buildings” and describing a recent successful levy campaign. Ward said the district passed “a $175 million levy last week with an 80% positive vote,” and he framed the board’s work as a series of planned steps in a long-range facilities strategy.

Speakers at the event listed several district accomplishments during Ward’s tenure, including the Cool Schools initiative, full building air conditioning, the opening of Staley High School, an expansion of early childhood education, and multiple long-range facilities plans. Ward and others also described the district’s record of passing bond and levy measures and the role of data-driven decisions in guiding policies.

The ceremony did not record a formal board vote or the resolution to complete the renaming; Jan Kauk said the board would call for a resolution later. Attendees were invited to the Doolin Ward Center for Excellence lobby for refreshments following the program.

The dedication highlighted the board’s decision to honor long-serving local officials and reiterated several programmatic and financial milestones the district attributed to collaborative board and administration work.