Board names Sequoia Gateway Building the Franklin Roberts Future Ready Center

The Hamilton County Board of Education voted to rename the Gateway Building at Sequoia as the Franklin Roberts Future Ready Center, board members said, to recognize contributions by John Franklin and Dalton Roberts.

District staff presented the renaming as part of the board’s ongoing Future Ready Center program. The board noted that Harrison Bay’s Future Ready Center is a successful example and said the renamed Sequoia building will be identified as the district’s North River Future Ready Center.

Board members asked whether the families had been notified; administrators said a reception was held and both families were informed and honored before the request went to the board. The motion to rename the building passed on a roll-call vote with unanimous approval from the members present.

Why it matters

District leaders framed the renaming as part of a broader effort to expand career and technical education and “Future Ready” programming for high school students. Board members discussed outreach and public-notice practices, and several members urged administration to improve multi-platform public notification so community members and alumni learn about future naming decisions earlier.

What the board recorded

- Presentation said the Gateway Building at Sequoia will be designated the Franklin Roberts Future Ready Center and that the name honors John Franklin and Dalton Roberts for their contributions. - Administration told the board it had coordinated with Hamilton County and had held a reception with family members prior to the board vote. - The motion to approve the renaming passed on roll call; all board members present voted yes.

Board members asked staff to improve public notification for future renamings so interested alumni and community partners are informed beyond a single announcement at a board meeting.