The Azusa Unified School District Board of Education on Nov. 4 considered whether to authorize a process to name the Azusa High School baseball field but decided not to move forward at this time, citing insufficient community support and concerns about precedent and cost.

Superintendent Arturo Ortega explained the item before the board was a decision about whether to begin the process, not to select a name. He said that if the board authorized moving forward staff would form a citizen advisory committee under Board Policy 7310 and bring a naming recommendation to the board followed by a public hearing.

"Tonight what's before the board is just to decide, do we want to name the Azusa High School baseball field? Tonight is not a decision to name the Azusa High School baseball field a particular name," Ortega said.

Several board members said they were sympathetic to honoring local contributors but worried one individual request did not represent a groundswell of community support. One board member said she did not "see the purpose" of naming a field based on a single public comment and asked whether the effort would open a "can of worms" if other community members sought naming rights for additional facilities.

Multiple board members suggested the district should solicit broader community input before proceeding. Board member Greer said such actions historically followed a community campaign or substantial public interest. After discussion the board voted; the chair reported the result as four nays and one yes, and the board did not initiate the naming process at this meeting.

Superintendent Ortega and staff said the matter could be brought back to the board if a larger petition or community interest emerges or if the board later chooses to revisit the topic.