SFUSD board names Sunnyside's new wing for long-time staffer Ruby Bell

The San Francisco Unified School District board on April 28 voted unanimously to name Sunnyside Elementary School's newly completed second wing the Ruby Bell Wing, honoring a longtime student liaison and counselor who worked at Sunnyside for nearly 39 years.

Chief facilities officer David Golden read the superintendent's proposal into the record, citing Ruby Bell's decades of service as student liaison, counselor and community leader and the school community's input in support of the naming. "Be it resolved that the Sunnyside Elementary School newly completed second wing of the school ... shall henceforth be known as the Ruby Bell Wing," Golden read aloud.

Renee Marcy, Sunnyside's principal, told the board she and community members are "very excited" and will mark the naming at a May 3 Springfest. Susan Solomon, executive vice president of United Educators of San Francisco, praised Bell's union and school service: "She was active on her union building committee ... and shared her warmth, wit, and wisdom with us during good times and bad." Ruby Bell herself addressed the board and thanked colleagues, saying, "I love all of you," and noting her hire date and 40 years of service.

The resolution suspends the district's usual policy against naming facilities for living people, citing Bell's "honorable attributes." A plaque donated by the school community will be installed to note the name. President Marazzi called for roll call and the board recorded the vote; the president declared the measure unanimous.

The naming will be celebrated at the Sunnyside Springfest on May 3 and the district said the plaque installation will follow standard facilities procedures.