West Elementary Renamed After Longtime Principal Richard Wilkins

STOUGHTON, MA — With a unanimous (4-0) school committee vote and overwhelming support from the community, Stoughton's West Elementary School was renamed after longtime Principal Richard L. Wilkins.

The renaming joins a long list of honors the school district has erected in Wilkins' name since his retirement in 1995. The school's driveway is named "Richard Wilkins Way." There's a plaque in the library dedicated to him.

School Committee Member Sandra Groppi said, "There's also a scholarship from the PTO that goes to a graduating senior that went to West."

Wilkins served as principal for 26 years and has worked in the school district for 34 years. According to School Committee Chair Molly Cochran, there's been a lot of support and direct testimony at the last couple school committee meetings.

Groppi said hearing the stories over the last few meetings was an inspirational factor in her support. She didn't know Wilkins, but she said, "I couldn't think of a better man to do this in honor of." Groppi told Wilkin's daughter Clair, "I've never heard so many great things said about one person."

The push to rename the school was started by former West Elementary student Bob Desmond. After the vote approved the renaming, Clair Wilkins took a moment to publicly thank Desmond.

Image via Carr Funeral Home.