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Naming of School Buildings and School Grounds
Type: School Board Policy
Section: 100 SCHOOL DISTRICT
Code: 101-1
Adopted Date: 4/11/2016
Revised Date(s): 06/13/2019, 05/10/2022
Reviewed Date(s): 04/12/2022, 05/10/2022
Attachments:

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the naming of school buildings and school grounds.

II. GENERAL STATEMENT

The naming of school buildings, major portions of buildings, or school grounds is the responsibility of the Moorhead Area Public School Board. The School Board is responsible for naming facilities, which include buildings, rooms, internal spaces, landscape materials, and associated exterior furnishings, courts, athletic fields, open spaces, and all other areas owned, operated, or controlled by Moorhead Area Public Schools. When naming new buildings, major portions of buildings, or school grounds, the School Board shall formally identify the need for a naming process for the identified school locations, as well as the criteria it wishes to be considered in the process. Furthermore, the name of a facility may be removed upon a vote of the board for valid reasons. When naming a building or facility, the board may select the name or appoint a committee to make recommendations to the board.

In fulfilling this responsibility, the School Board recognizes that the naming of the school facility is of great importance and deserves thoughtful attention. In selecting a name, the board will consider the names of:
  • Individuals who have achieved significant places in school district life,
  • Entities which have contributed significantly to the district,
  • Individuals/entities that have made significant monetary contributions, and
  • National and state significance which are indicative of the areas in which they are located. 
III. AUTHORITY
 
Board authority, established in statute, permits the board to enter into a contract to lease the naming rights for school facilities, sell advertising on or in facilities, and otherwise enter into an agreement with a sponsoring agent. The School Board exercises approval authority for naming of all facilities owned, operated, or controlled by Moorhead Area Public Schools.
 
IV. NEW SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL GROUNDS 
 
The process for naming a new school will begin, if possible, as soon as construction has become a financial reality, the site has been selected, and the architect has been appointed. The names of sites which serve a district-wide function (e.g. administrative services, community education) and for facilities or portions of facilities which are jointly owned by the school district and other entities may be named to illustrate the nature of their role in the district.
 
Portions of school facilities, such as libraries, auditoriums/theaters, gymnasiums, gardens/walks, athletic fields/facilities, and concessions/locker rooms shall be named according to their educational purpose; however, names of individuals or entities may also be associated with these facility sub-units upon designation by the board.
 
The School Board, with assistance from the administration, will review recommendations from one of two sources: the Moorhead Schools Legacy Education Foundation with regards to honorary naming through financial contribution and/or the appointed School Naming Task Force with regards to honorary naming without financial contribution. 
 
The final selection will be made by a vote of the board. The board will review all potential naming rights, leasing agreements, contracts, and sponsorships to ensure alignment with the district’s mission and purpose, reserving the right to determine all naming rights and procedural practices aligned with their legal authority governed by law or statute.
 
V. HONORARY NAMING OF FACILITIES, PORTIONS OF FACILITIES, AND GROUNDS 

Facilities or portions thereof may be named in honor of an individual through two different procedures. 

  1. Honorary Naming through Financial Contribution is recognition for financial contributions, be it in the way of donation, bequest, sponsorship, or other commercial transactions.
  2. Honorary Naming without Financial Contribution is recognition of a significant contribution to the school district that the district wishes to honor. 
In granting naming rights, either “through financial contribution” or “without financial contribution,” due regard should be taken of the need to maintain an appropriate balance between commercial considerations and the role which names of buildings and spaces contribute to the school district’s sense of identity as well as their role in assisting staff, students and visitors to orient themselves within a campus. 
 
The granting of naming rights must always be consistent with the school district’s mission and vision. The long-term effects of the naming rights must be considered. Each granting of naming rights is bound by a written agreement.

Honorary Naming through Financial Contribution:

Monetary valuations may be assigned to proposed naming rights on a case-by-case basis to aid with making decisions about granting naming rights. 

The monetary valuation for the naming of a school, stadium, field, theatre, library, or gymnasium through financial contribution will be decided by the Superintendent after receiving a recommendation from the Moorhead Schools Legacy Education Foundation who may take advice from such persons or other professionals, as needed. Each case should take into account market comparisons for naming rights for which professional advice may be sought. 
 
Application of this policy might result in a facility named for a company or an individual. It is anticipated that this may be appropriate at times when facilities are being built, remodeled or additions added. It is conceivable as well that such honorary efforts might make the difference between a project being realized or not, or between its being adequate versus exemplary. 
 
Recommendations for Honorary Naming through Financial Contribution will be processed through the Moorhead Schools Legacy Education Foundation  and presented first to the Superintendent and then to the School Board for approval.
 
Specific Naming Agreement through Financial Contribution:
  1. The school district recognizes that circumstances exist when the district may enter into an agreement for the specific naming of a facility or space in exchange for a specific financial or other contribution to the district. All such agreements must be in writing.
  2. Transferability and Renewability
    1. If a name is granted by a written agreement, those rights may be transferred or renewed as permitted by the written agreement. Other naming rights are not transferable or renewable.
  3. Limit of Naming Rights
    1. On the Part of the District
      1. The district’s right to use the name and other brand elements of the named party is permitted by express agreement with the named party.
    2. On the Part of the Named Party
      1. The named party, after whom a facility or space is named, has no decision-making rights as to the purpose of the facility or space unless specifically provided in the written agreement between the parties. The district will not agree to any condition in an agreement that could unnecessarily limit progress toward the district’s mission and purpose, statutory obligation, or the local authority of the School Board. In turn, the named party has no liability in respect to that facility or space unless provided for in a specific contract between parties. Any such limits must be included in any naming rights agreement.
Honorary Naming without Financial Contribution:
  1. At times there may be appropriate opportunities to honor individuals who have distinguished themselves through their association with the school district either as alumni, employees, or community members.
  2. Such honorary naming may be applied to a new school, provided the name is recommended as part of the School Naming Task Force process.  
The process is as follows:
  • The School Naming Task Force committee composition will have representative staff members from each school, representatives from the secondary student body,  executive director of human resources and operations, assistant superintendent of learning and accountability, central office team members, and cabinet members as needed, and three parent representatives (one from each elementary, middle and high school).
  • The committee will develop a recommendation to the administration for further review and provide a basis for the recommendation to the School Board regarding the naming of the school sites.
  • The committee shall propose a list of not more than three (3) names to the School Board for consideration. 
The board will apply the following guidelines in considering any individual’s name proposed for a facility or portion thereof:
 
General Guidelines: 
 
Historically the School Board has named facilities after individuals who have had direct, substantial, and active association with the district and have exemplified the district mission. Selection may also be based on the individual’s record of scholarship, creativity, leadership, humanitarian service, or public service. Facilities may also be named to recognize organizations, individuals, geographical or historic features, and programs that have had a significant impact in the life of the district or as a result of leasing naming rights, contracts to sell advertising, or agreements with a sponsoring agent as permitted by statute. 
 
Recommendations must provide evidence of significant importance to the district and must outline the justifications for the name being suggested. In naming of sites or facilities, and/or grounds, special consideration may be given to those names that will have some special meaning to the students and citizens and will enhance the educational program of the school district, and be consistent with the school district’s mission and vision. Naming for such contributions is at the district’s discretion and in support of its mission. 
 
Appropriate categories for school names include:
  • Individuals: a famous, local, state, or national figure who exemplifies outstanding character or other admirable traits.
  • Places: locations, landmarks, or topographical features related to the school site.
  • Symbolism: a word or words that capture the essence of the place or function of the school.  
When naming a facility under the “Individual” category, the Superintendent and the board will evaluate the proposed name against the following additional criteria:
  • Nominee has had a significant, long-term relationship with Moorhead Area Public Schools.
  • Nominee, if a former Moorhead Area Public Schools employee, will have been retired or separated from district employment for a minimum of two years. Recognition of outstanding service to the school district while serving in an academic or administrative capacity to the Moorhead community.
  • Nominee has widespread support from colleagues, parents/guardians, and students.
  • Nominee has achieved local, regional and national recognition for achievements beyond the generation of the contribution.
  • Nominee has held local, regional and national leadership roles in the field of expertise and is no longer active in his/her career.  
Naming Authority: 
The board has the final authority on the selection of a school name, major portions of school buildings, or school grounds, and on rescinding or changing a facility name. The board has the discretion to name existing facilities to recognize individuals who meet nomination criteria, with or without financial requirements as stated above. This policy notwithstanding, it is the intent of the school board that naming portions of the building or school grounds occur infrequently and on a limited basis.
 
Periodic Review:
 
Periodically, site or facility names shall be reviewed as to their continued appropriateness. If a particular name is no longer appropriate, the School Board reserves the right to remove it.