School committee approves multiple facility namings, sets signage funding review

The Randolph Public Schools School Committee voted to approve a series of facility namings that honor local educators and community members and to let subcommittees sort out signage design and funding.

Votes at a glance

- JFK Basketball Court: approved to be named for Coach L. John Williams. Vote recorded in the meeting: yes (majority present); outcome: approved. Funding and signage design to be discussed in finance and facilities subcommittees.

- North Elementary Charles Gabriel Devine Field: approved. Outcome: approved.

- Elizabeth G. Lyons Learning Center: committee amended an initial motion to name the space the Elizabeth G. Lyons Learning Center (committee debated alternatives such as "child center," "children’s center," and "learning center" and adopted "Learning Center"). Outcome: approved.

- Cheryl A. Fraser Atrium (front-of-building atrium/foyer): approved to be named the Cheryl A. Fraser Atrium. Outcome: approved.

- William Alexopoulos exploration station (originally proposed as "STEM terrace" and later amended through discussion): the committee amended the motion several times and approved the final name "William Alexopoulos exploration station" to emphasize a flexible learning and outdoor space. The committee agreed to confirm spelling and a family preference for a middle initial before finalizing plaques.

Several votes included explicit direction that signage design and any required appropriations for lettering or plaques will be handled at the finance and facilities subcommittee level. Committee members noted some buildings may be able to cover signage costs from existing building accounts; one member said North Randolph funds might cover some signs but that JFK likely could not.

Members spent time clarifying exact spellings and whether to include middle initials on plaques; the committee said staff would confirm family preferences and existing town signage before ordering plaques. The committee also discussed consistent district criteria for future namings and asked staff to add a related item to a future policy meeting agenda.

Ending

All naming motions were approved on the floor; the committee asked the superintendent’s office and the appropriate subcommittees to prepare mock-ups, identify funding sources, and confirm family name spellings before signage production.