Procedure – Naming Schools Facilities, and Teams, and Use of Mascots, Images, or Logos
The naming of a new or existing school and/or district facilities will take place in the following manner:
A. The superintendent will select a committee whose purpose it will be to submit to the board a list of not less than three, nor more than five, names for a new school and/or district facility. The list will briefly state, along with each name, why the committee nominated each name. The committee may solicit nominations from students and the community;
B. The committee will, whenever possible, follow these guidelines:
1. Each name will be known to, and significant to, the people of the district;
a. Outstanding, distinguished, and long-term service to the school or school district
b. An individual whose life, work, and activities exemplify the values and ideals of the school district and school community
c. An individual whose contributions to the school or school district sets them apart and goes far beyond the contributions of most individuals and those contributions are recognized by their peers, both in the district and elsewhere
d. Whenever possible, the name of the individual should grace a portion of the school or school district facility that is associated with the individual’s field of interest and contributions to the school or school district.
2. The names submitted will not conflict with the names of other schools in the district or surrounding districts; and
3. If a name of an individual, living or deceased, is proposed, such person’s direct connection with the district must have been discontinued for at least five years prior to being considered for Board approval
4. Regarding physical memorials or tributes, individuals are encouraged to work closely with principals to find ways other than memorials to honor the deceased.
C. The district will accept proposals to name existing facilities annually. These proposals will be due by November 1.
D. The board will select the name of the new facility from the list. In recognition of the efforts of those involved in the project, a plaque containing the following information will be attached to a new building:
1. School and/or facilities name;
2. Board-approved construction date;
3. Completion or dedication date;
4. Name of board members as of the board-approved construction date in the following order:
a. Chair/President;
b. Vice Chair/President; and
c. Members (alphabetically)
5. Superintendent as of board-approved construction date; and
6. Architect and contractor names.
Formal dedication of the facility will take place on a date and time specified by the board.
The naming of teams and the designation of mascots images and logos are subject to the following limitations:
Effective for the 2021-2022 school year, new school or team mascots, logos, or images will not be Native American names, symbols, or images.
Current school or team mascots, logos, or images that are of Native American names, symbols, or images will be changed by December 31, 2021 and implemented during the 2021-2022 school year.
Current uniforms, fixtures, and other materials depicting Native American names, symbols, or images may be used until replaced with the new mascot, logo or image. Such materials may not be replaced with the discontinued mascot, logo, or image, except that twenty percent of uniforms may be replaced through January 1, 2023 to address damages or losses.
Adoption Date: 08/31/12
Classification: Discretionary
Revised: 01/08/14; 03/15/23