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Madison school-name committee advances scoring, flags one candidate over controversial statements
Summary
The Madison Metropolitan School District advisory committee continued scoring 55 name proposals June 30, flagged three for discussion and set a July 13 deadline for final scores; one candidate, Golda Mayer, drew concern over past public statements described by a member as potentially alienating to Palestinian community members.
The Community Name Change Advisory Committee for the Madison Metropolitan School District met June 30 and continued an accelerated scoring process for 55 proposed school names, staff said, flagging three proposals — Golda Mayer, Prairie Oak and Sunrise — for extra discussion.
The committee chair opened the virtual meeting at 6:04 p.m. and confirmed a quorum; Chelsea, the staff facilitator, reminded members the process is guided by district policy 6700 and that Firefly was taking notes. The committee approved the meeting agenda by voice vote.
"I work at Lafallet High School. I'm the multicultural service coordinator there," said Johnny C. Milton Jr., a new committee member who introduced himself during the meeting. Several other new members also introduced themselves.
Committee staff and volunteers have been researching candidates. "To date, Gail has put in over 61 hours researching for both LVM, Lindberg, and Chavez," Chelsea said, thanking a researcher for compiling background material the committee can use.
Discussion then focused on three names the committee had flagged for closer review. Stephanie Bees, who participates as a committee member and was identified in discussion as a district staff person, said she had flagged the candidate she called "Mayer" because of material turned up in the research.
"On paper she looks really great, but she said she's a Zionist, which is controversial and would and could definitely create problems within our community," Stephanie said, urging colleagues to consider whether that public record is consistent with the committee's inclusivity goals.
Glenn Carlo, who identified himself as Jewish, said he respected Mayer's work and local ties but agreed the name could "invite some measure of scrutiny and controversy," and said he was comfortable not carrying the name forward at this point.
Other flagged names drew different reactions. A supporter of Prairie Oak said the name honors the region's oak‑savannah and prairie heritage and aligns with conservation values. A separate supporter said Sunrise evokes a positive, child-centered image appropriate for an elementary school; both received brief supportive comments and no substantive opposition during the allotted discussion time.
Chelsea and staff clarified next steps: members may revise rubric scores by resubmitting the online form or editing via the emailed link; scoring remains open through July 13. The committee plans a score 'reveal' on July 13 and a follow-up meeting July 14, followed by a public hearing. From that process the committee anticipates submitting up to four names to the board in late August.
"When we submit the four names to the board," Chelsea explained, "the board will have all the public comment since the beginning of the process as well as the public comment from the hearing. The board will also have a summary of the scores and anything that would have come up from our meetings."
The meeting concluded with a motion and second to adjourn; the chair confirmed a majority in favor and stopped the recording at 6:41 p.m.
What happened next: scoring remains open until July 13; the committee will meet July 14 to review averages and identify any names needing further research before the public hearing and final board submission.
