Resident asks Waterloo Local board to retire No. 16 and start scholarship in memory of late student

A resident appealed to the Waterloo Local Board of Education during the public-comment period to retire the late student-athlete’s jersey number and to establish a small memorial scholarship.

The speaker recounted losing a schoolmate on Aug. 25, 1995, described the student’s importance to the school community and said the family’s permission would be sought for any dedication. "With the permission of the families, I would like to start a scholarship ... we're thinking somewhere maybe in the $500 range to start," the resident said, asking the board to consider retiring jersey number 16 permanently for football.

Board members listened but did not vote on a specific retirement or scholarship measure at the meeting. The topic was raised as part of public comment; the board’s subsequent business agenda addressed personnel, handbooks, transportation and contracts but included no motion to act on the memorial request.

PTO and fundraising updates at the meeting noted that volunteers raised more than $1,600 at a back-to-school event for a family identified in remarks as the Hayes family; the PTO reported about 30 new memberships and sales of merchandise intended as ongoing revenue for PTO activities.

The resident also described past honors on campus—a plaque and bell with personal significance—and said they clean the memorial plaque regularly. The board did not schedule a follow-up vote on the jersey request during the meeting. Next steps would require the board to place the item on a future agenda if it chooses to consider an official retirement or scholarship.