Citizens Naming Committee sends 22 names for Lindbergh School to July 23 public hearing

The Citizens Naming Committee for Lindbergh School voted July 15 to forward a 22-name shortlist to a public hearing set for July 23, with a 14-day comment period that closes Aug. 6. The public hearing will be live-streamed on YouTube; those who sign up may speak live via Zoom. Chelsea Tubbs, the district staff member who manages communications, told committee members the list and supporting blurbs would be posted on the Madison Metropolitan School District website by the end of day July 16.

Committee member Tiffany moved to send the compiled list to public comment, and Mary Hembecker seconded the motion. Chair Betsy Abramson called for the ayes and the motion carried by voice vote; no formal nay votes were recorded on the call. The committee agreed the public comment and hearing would inform a second vote: members will reconvene Aug. 12 to narrow finalists to up to four names to submit to the school board for its Aug. 24 consideration.

Committee leaders described the process as intentionally multi-stage. Betsy Abramson said the extra round of voting was needed because of the large number of submissions and to ensure the process was “fair, equitable, and full of integrity.” Chelsea Tubbs summarized next steps: publish the list and blurbs, run outreach through MMSD channels, capture the hearing video, and provide the committee with a comment summary and video before the Aug. 12 revote.

The committee asked staff to verify specific historical or controversy-related claims that had been flagged during deliberations; staff said it would follow up and publish clarifications with the public materials. The motion to send the list to public comment appears intended to let community input further shape finalists rather than to finalize a name.