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Polk board hears plan to add plaque recognizing Lula Longworth at Union Academy
Summary
District staff and alumni asked the Polk County School Board to approve an addendum plaque recognizing Lula Marion Simmons Longworth as the person who named Union Academy; the board expressed support and the district signaled future capital-improvement requests for the site.
A proposal to install an addendum plaque honoring the woman who named Union Academy was presented to the Polk County School Board at its Feb. 10 work session, and board members signaled support.
Superintendent Hyde introduced the item as a historical-marker addendum and turned the presentation over to regional assistant superintendent Miss Nave, who said the existing historical marker (placed July 26, 2019) omitted the person who named the school. "Miss Lula Marion Simmons Longworth named the school Union Academy," Nave said, and alumni asked to add a plaque on the school wall to recognize that contribution. The alumni association has ordered the marker and aims to place it to the left of the school entrance for a proposed March 6 observance tied to Women's History Month.
Joyce Bentley, identifying herself as treasurer (assistant treasurer) for the Greater Union Academy Alumni Association, told the board the group researched the marker and found the omission. "We've paid for the marker," Bentley said, and the Longworth family has agreed to attend the planned ceremony.
Board members praised the proposal during discussion. Miss Fields said she supported adding Longworth's name to the marker, and Mister Keyes and Doctor Allen described the marker as an opportunity to preserve local history and engage students. Hyde told the board this item is not a renaming of a school and therefore does not require the typical naming protocols; he also warned the board that Union Academy will likely come back for capital improvements, noting possible roof work and "potentially some asbestos abatement" and that the district may later propose a small museum on campus to house artifacts and celebrate the Rosenwald-school legacy.
No formal vote occurred at the work session; the item was presented for board awareness and the alumni association said it will proceed with the plaque pending any additional board direction. If the board later approves capital work, Hyde said staff will return with detailed proposals and cost estimates.
The district and alumni plan the addendum plaque and March 6 event; any future capital requests for Union Academy will be brought to the board for review and approval.
