MSD Policies

Administration

204 Facilities: Dedication and Naming of Facilities Policy

The Board of School Committee recognizes that the official name selected for a school facility is a vital factor in promoting a positive public image for the school district.  The board is responsible for the naming and renaming of facilities and portions of facilities, including buildings, grounds, stadiums, athletic fields, annexes, media centers, rooms, etc.

The Board of School Committee shall make the final decision for the naming of all facilities and retains the right to review the decision at any time.

The Superintendent shall develop regulations for the implementation of this policy.

DEDICATION AND NAMING OF FACILITIES POLICY REGULATIONS

PROCEDURE

  1. The superintendent shall appoint a committee of citizens and district representatives to determine the names of any new facilities.  The administration shall appoint the chairman of the committee.  The board shall deliver to the committee a written charge that details criteria for the naming process.  The committee shall make recommendations to the Building and Sites Committee for naming or renaming a portion of the facility (including buildings, grounds, stadiums, athletic fields, etc.) whenever it is deemed desirable.  The full Board of School Committee shall make the final decision.

  2. The superintendent or designee shall serve as the non-voting chairperson of the committee.

  3. For a request to be forwarded to the Building and Sites Committee, a majority of committee must vote for approval.

  4. The committee shall render its decision to the Building and Sites Committee within 60 days of receiving the request.  The committee shall develop a brief explanation of the origin of the proposed name.  The explanation shall be incorporated into a history of the district.

  5. All new facilities shall be named at least three months prior to completion of construction.

  6. After receiving the recommendation from the committee and the Building and Sites Committee the full school board shall make the decision within the next two regularly scheduled school board meetings. The board shall retain the right to review the decision at any time.

GUIDELINES

In naming school buildings or other facilities in the district, the committee shall use the following guidelines:

  1. School facilities may be named after persons who have served the district or community or persons who have provided long-term extraordinary service to the district or the community.  The naming of a facility shall be bestowed no sooner than five years after the death of the individual to be honored.  This honor shall be bestowed no sooner than seven years after an individual has retired from public service.

  2. School facilities may be named after any local, state, or national heroic figure.  These individuals shall not be subject to the requirement that they must be deceased for five years before a facility shall carry their name.

  3. School facilities may be named after any local, state, or national geographic area.

  4. Facilities may be named for significant district property donors.  Significant donors shall not be subject to the requirement that they must be deceased for five years before a facility shall carry their name.

FACILITIES DEDICATION PLAQUES

Each new facility shall display a dedication plaque that recognizes those board members and superintendents, along with the primary architect and the primary contractor, involved in the planning, construction, and authorization of district facilities.

Revised from 11/03, 5/10

First Reading Coordination:  10/10/12

Second Reading and Adoption by BOSC: 11/13/12