In a recent meeting, the LSR 7 school district board discussed the adoption of a new policy for naming facilities, a move prompted by the absence of a formal guideline despite decades of practice. A committee formed in spring 2022 reviewed the Missouri School Boards' Association (MSBA) model policy and examined various iterations from over three dozen districts across the state. The committee's final recommendation emphasizes a significant shift: moving forward, school buildings and facilities will not be named after individuals.

The rationale behind this decision stems from concerns about the unpredictability of individuals' reputations over time. Committee members expressed that naming facilities after people could lead to complications, particularly as societal values evolve and historical records may be insufficient for thorough vetting. This policy aims to eliminate the burden of assessing individuals' legacies, which can be challenging and contentious.

While the new policy will guide future naming processes, it will not retroactively affect existing names. Board members acknowledged the importance of honoring community contributions and discussed alternative ways to celebrate individuals, such as through commemorative plaques, which remain permissible under the new guidelines.

The board's discussions also highlighted the procedural aspects of the policy's implementation, including the potential for exceptions should the board choose to waive the new rules for specific cases. Board member Myers raised concerns about the implications of the policy on naming opportunities, particularly regarding a proposed name for the district's aquatic center. The board clarified that while the policy is set to be finalized in November, there remains a pathway for community members to propose names through a vetting process, albeit outside the standard naming protocol.

Overall, the meeting underscored the board's commitment to establishing clear guidelines for facility naming while balancing community desires to honor significant local figures. The new policy reflects a broader trend among districts in Missouri to prioritize institutional integrity over individual recognition in naming practices.