Naming Policy Returning to BOE Tuesday

The latest version of the Board of Education's proposed naming policy clarifies what property is covered and includes a 10-year sunset.

The school board is expected to have a first reading on the policy during its meeting on Tuesday at 7:45 p.m. at the Education Center. It would be the third time this summer the board had a first reading on the revised version of the policy. No vote is expected until there is a second reading on the proposal.

The policy would cover "buildings, rooms, fixtures and structures," a change from the original language that stated it covered "buildings, separate school facilities and property." Additionally, a new paragraph is included on what is not covered by the policy:

"This Policy shall not apply to (i) non-permanent school property, including bricks, separate walls, walks, trees, memorials, or installed property which depicts or identifies the name of any person or organization recognized for contribution or recognition, no matter the form, as previously approved by resolution of the Board; and (ii) trophies, plaques, tournaments, or awards depicting or identifying the name of any person or organization existing at the time of the latest approval of this policy by a sitting board."

The policy would require a two-year waiting period after a school employee or officer left his position before anything can be named for him. Additionally, there would be need to be a one-year waiting period after a death. In the case of a student, there would need to be a 15-year waiting period after he graduates. There also would need to be a one-year waiting period if the student should die.

Additionally, there would be a 10-year sunset on any namings unless the Board of Education would renew it. The proposal further clarifies what the sunset clause would cover: "nonrenewable assets, buildings, rooms, fixtures, and things named that required prior board approval."

The naming policy was discussed during a school board meeting in June before being sent back to the Policy Committee for further review. At that meeting, school board members said they could not vote to accept a bench in honor of Schools Supt. Richard Brodow, who retired at the end of June, because of the pending policy. The policy was further reviewed in July, but was again sent back to the committee because of concerns about what the policy covered and the sunset provision.