Pursuant to the Town’s policy, Naming of Public Assets (Town of Wellesley Bylaws, Article 6.21), the Wellesley School Committee (the “Committee”) shall have the authority to name or rename assets under its jurisdiction, provided, however, that the Committee shall not name any major physical assets, as more fully described in Section 6.21 (b) of the Bylaws.  Major physical assets under the jurisdiction of the Committee shall be named or renamed only by majority vote of Town Meeting after such name has been approved by the Committee.

Assets under the jurisdiction of the Committee that can be named or renamed exclusively by the Committee, include, but are not limited to, rooms, furniture, areas, parts of fields, roadways, parking lots, and other features of the physical environment of the schools.

Assets under the jurisdiction of the Committee that cannot be named or renamed without Town Meeting approval include school buildings and fields.

No assets under the jurisdiction of the Committee shall be named or renamed by the Superintendent of Schools, any principals, any other school employees, or any parent organization.

Naming shall be limited as follows:

• Historic events, people and places – to preserve and honor the history of the town, state, or country; prominent historical figures; local landmarks, neighborhoods, or prominent geographical locations.

• Outstanding individuals – to acknowledge citizens who have contributed in a significant way to the public life and wellbeing of the town.

• Major gifts – to acknowledge major gifts, as defined in the School Committee gift acceptance policy, from individuals, organizations, or corporations, by naming a public asset in recognition of said gift. The committee will not entertain naming proposals associated with donations of funds or equipment by citizens with children currently or prospectively enrolled in the Wellesley Public Schools, except in the extraordinary case of the death of a student.

In naming or renaming an asset, The Committee shall give consideration to equitable treatment of similar assets in similar situations.

The Committee shall rely on the superintendent of schools to undertake a process of consultation and consideration and review of any given naming proposal before making a recommendation for action by the Committee.

Presented to School Committee
March 11, 2008

wps