Community calls on board to honor longtime coach Brian Barber; board reviews naming policy

During the community‑input portion of the meeting, Matt Stewart, an assistant boys’ basketball coach, asked the board to consider naming the high‑school court or otherwise honoring Coach Brian Barber following his recent resignation after a 26‑year tenure that included multiple championships.

"I could not think of anyone more deserving of the honor of naming a court after Brian Barber," Matt Stewart said during public comment, listing Barber’s record and long service to the program. Stewart said he and others returned to coach alongside Barber as a testament to his impact on players and the community.

Board members responded with a substantive discussion about the district’s naming policy (policy 7520), which Dr. Schaeffer said currently prohibits naming school facilities after people. Several trustees noted that honoring a coach by recognizing a court or placing signage and banners can be done within existing precedents, while others recommended following the formal policy steps — a written request, formation of a committee and board review — or amending the policy if the board wishes a different approach.

One board member urged colleagues to read policy 7520 and suggested the request be added to the May meeting agenda so the board could consider options and a possible vote this spring. Dr. Schaeffer said administration would place the item on a future agenda and that the board could also consider temporary or alternative recognition measures (banners, hall honors) if the policy path to naming a facility requires more time.

What happens next: The board indicated it will add the matter to a future agenda for formal consideration and, if necessary, follow the policy steps or propose a policy amendment to enable naming or alternative recognition.