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Smallwood renaming committee narrows candidates to three geography-based names; online community input session set
Summary
A committee convened by Charles County Public Schools has recommended three geography-based names for General Smallwood Middle School—Potomac Ridge Middle School, West Charles Middle School and West Side Middle School—and will host a virtual community input session before the Board of Education makes a final decision.
A renaming committee appointed by Charles County Public Schools recommended three geography-based names for General Smallwood Middle School on Feb. 24, and scheduled a virtual community input session this week to collect public feedback before the board selects a final name.
The 16-member committee reviewed 41 total name submissions and eliminated suggestions that conflicted with policy criteria, were already used elsewhere in the region, or named individuals without a required 10-year posthumous period of memorialization. Director of Communications Shelly Mackey told the board that all submitted names and the committee minutes are posted on the school system’s website for transparency.
Jennica Irvin, chair of the renaming committee, said the group narrowed the list to three geography-focused options: Potomac Ridge Middle School, West Charles Middle School and West Side Middle School. Irvin told the board the committee preferred geographic names because committee members worried a person’s legacy could be reassessed later; geographic names are less likely to create a similar controversy.
Why it matters: The Board of Education adopted criteria in Board policy 72.3 that require a person honored by a school name to be deceased at least 10 years and to have demonstrated contributions consistent with board values. The committee followed the policy’s requirements and used a randomized lottery to select community committee members.
Committee process and next steps Mackey described the process: the system advertised and collected submissions, then used an Excel randomization process to select community committee members from respondents. The committee met five times beginning in December and reviewed each nomination against policy criteria, removing names that were regionally duplicated or otherwise ineligible.
Meetings and public input The committee will hold a virtual public input session Thursday at 6 p.m.; the communications office is circulating the Zoom link and will accept comments in writing and via chat during the webinar. Mackey emphasized that all materials, including the full submission list, meeting minutes and the three finalist names, are posted on the district website.
Board members asked committee members to continue community outreach and said they would also research names independently. The board will receive committee-input materials and community feedback before acting on the renaming recommendation.
Ending: The board retains final authority under policy 72.3; the committee’s recommendations and the forthcoming community input will inform the board’s decision in a future meeting.
