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Heated board debate over naming-policy changes exposes tensions among Clayton County school trustees
Summary
Board members debated revisions to Policy Series F, a set of rules governing naming of facilities and parts of facilities, with Board Member Dr. Jesse Goree calling parts of the proposed revisions discriminatory; other trustees defended a rule that would bar naming facilities for sitting elected board members.
A second reading of revisions to Policy Series F—rules that guide how Clayton County Public Schools names buildings and parts of buildings—led to an extended and emotional debate during the Jan. 27, 2025 work session, with Board Member Dr. Jesse Goree saying portions of the draft policy are discriminatory and several colleagues defending a restriction on naming facilities after sitting board members.
Dr. Jesse Goree, a long‑serving board member (District 3), said she was insulted that the draft policy includes a factor about "ease of pronunciation and spelling" and questioned why the district would use that criterion. "So in essence, that says to me that if somebody's name is Shaniqua Olabumbe, then you don't want this person," Goree said, calling the language "appalling" and urging the board to remove it.
Other members pushed back while praising Goree's years of service. Board Chair Benjamin Straker said the proposed restriction—that a facility not be named for a currently serving elected board member—would not prevent honoring Goree after she leaves the board. "The only restriction is that a sitting board member, for the purposes of a parent, cannot get a building named after them as they sit on this seat," Straker said, and added that he would personally support a naming campaign for Goree once she is no longer on the board.
Joy Cooper, a board member, said the board's role is "selfless" and argued that naming policy should prioritize students and avoid perceptions of self‑interest. Other trustees referenced prior namings of gymnasiums and memorials and debated whether the draft policy was consistent with past practice.
The discussion covered several procedural and emotional points: Goree recounted past work she said had improved district facilities and services and said she felt singled out when several board members signaled opposition during an earlier naming nomination for the Riverdale Early Learning Center. Board members exchanged recollections of prior naming decisions, and some said existing practice already precludes naming a facility after a current board member.
The board did not adopt final language at the Jan. 27 meeting. Trustees asked staff to collect suggested revisions and to circulate them for further consideration, and members said they would forward edits to the policy liaison for incorporation in a later draft.
No formal vote on Policy Series F occurred during the work session; the matter remained open for revision and further discussion.
