The Lawrence school board honored a poet who grew up Lawrence by naming a new elementary school for him.
School board members threw their arms Monday around the memory of black American writer Langston Hughes by naming the Lawrence district's new elementary school in his honor.
The $6.7 million school on West 15th Street is expected to open in August 2000.
"It's both historically significant to our community, and it will be recognizable in the state and throughout the country," said Myron Melton, the future school's principal.
Melton said he was grateful to finally acquire an identity for the district's 19th elementary.
"Once you get a name it will take on a personality of its own," he said.
Other finalists: Thomas Barber (anti-slavery martyr), Kanwaka (township where the school is located), Meadowlark (state bird) and a late addition, Freedom Trail.
The board rejected on a 5-2 vote a motion to name the school Freedom Trail.
Without additional debate, the board unanimously approved the tribute for Hughes, who lived in Lawrence through his teen-age years and went on to become a lauded poet and writer. He lived from 1902 to 1967.
"I would really much prefer Langston Hughes," said board member Jack Davidson, who made the motion. "It has more meaning to Lawrence and more meaning to history."
Meanwhile, the board voted to approve $1.4 million in contracts for construction of the school.
Board members also confirmed new budgets for school district projects associated with a $16.6 million bond issue approved by district taxpayers in November 1998. The decision brought to $19.7 million the overall budget for projects tied to the bond issue.
In addition to spending $6.7 million for the new elementary school, the board committed a total of $4.25 million for a new warehouse/administration facility. Budgets for three elementary school projects: Prairie Park, $2.2 million; Pinckney, $1.9 million; and Woodlawn, $1.2 million. About $2.5 million remains earmarked for major repair projects at schools throughout the district.
Davidson and Scott Morgan opposed the motion.
Davidson said the budget was flawed because it was based on the premise that India School and the district's current administration building would sell for $1.8 million to supplement funding for bond issue projects.
"That seems to me to be counting chickens," he said.
Board member Leni Salkind said the previous school board had pledged to sell both properties.
"I under no circumstances will back away from it," said board member Austin Turney.
"But this is a different board and this board may have a different position," Davidson countered.
Salkind said she was growing weary of micromanaging the school district's construction projects.
"I don't think it's our role to get in there and manage these projects," she said.
Morgan said he had a responsibility to scrutinize expenditures of large sums of taxpayer money.
"How are we paying for these buildings?" he asked.
-- Tim Carpenter's phone message number is 832-7155. His e-mail address is tcarpenter@ljworld.com.
No comments
Commenting is turned off for this story.