Policy 7.03

Naming of School District Facilities and Dedicating Areas of School District Facilities or Grounds

1. Purpose. To establish an equitable process by which the School Board can assume its responsibility for the naming or renaming of schools and other facilities, or the naming of areas of facilities or grounds to honor individuals, or for assigning naming rights for portions of school facilities to recognize private or corporate entities that make a significant contribution, financial or otherwise, to benefit the District.

2. Policy. It is the responsibility of the School Board to select names of all schools and facilities. In fulfilling this responsibility, the School Board shall carefully consider and respect community recommendations in the naming process. The School Board shall also have the responsibility to authorize naming rights for portions of school facilities in order to provide recognition for private or corporate entities that make an exceptional contribution or significant financial contribution to benefit the District. The names of persons actively serving Palm Beach County School District shall not be considered.

3. New Schools.

   Before a new school is opened, the Superintendent shall recommend the appointment of a committee for the purpose of naming a school center in Palm Beach County.

   1. The committee shall be charged with the responsibility of proposing three (3) school names to be presented to the School Board, who will make the final choice.

   2. The committee membership shall consist of a minimum of three (3) lay people who live in the area in which the site is located, two (2) students who attend or are likely to attend the school, two (2) staff members as designated by the Superintendent, and one (1) member of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County.

   3. The committee is encouraged in the naming of schools to use historical figures, the history, general location or features of the area, or goals of the school. Names of existing schools or combinations thereof shall not be used except in those cases where existing schools are being discontinued as public schools.

   4. When a school center has been designated by the School Board to be a community school, the word "community" shall be added in the name of the school following the proper name designation.

   5. Since many high schools serve a large geographical area often encompassing several municipalities, committees may consider adding the word "regional" to the name.

   6. A brief narrative explaining the naming of the facility should be exhibited in a prominent place within the facility.

4. Existing Schools and Related School Facilities.

   The naming or renaming of schools on district campuses or on properties owned by the district must follow state and School District guidelines. The School Board may name or rename a school and other facilities for a variety of reasons, including its use for a new purpose or the desire to recognize contributions to the School District by providing for a dedication or naming of appropriate areas of a district facility, as provided herein, in honor of such individuals, private or corporate entities making exceptional or outstanding contributions to the School District.

   1. Schools. The renaming of schools shall follow the same requirements of Section 3 above.

   2. Ancillary Facilities. A committee of at least one (1) department head and six (6) other stakeholders shall make a recommendation to the Superintendent.

   3. Buildings. The naming or renaming of any building in honor of a person, living or deceased, as a result of a private gift or other significant non-financial or financial contribution, must be approved by the following:

      1. The Superintendent of the School District of Palm Beach County, Florida; or

      2. The School Board of Palm Beach County, Florida.

   4. Components of Facilities. The Superintendent/designee may name significant building components, including classrooms, media centers, athletic fields, conference rooms, common areas and other components which are part of a building or site, including recognizing exceptional or significant non-financial or financial contributions of private individuals or corporate entities. Such naming shall specify any donor request by private individuals or corporate entities for a specific name and shall be reported to the Board as an information item.

   5. Such naming or renaming of a school, school building or school building component must be endorsed by the school's advisory council, if one has been formed.

   6. The naming of any facilities approved by the Superintendent in accordance with this policy must be submitted to the School Board for informational purposes only within a reasonable period of time.

5. Limitations to Naming Rights. Naming rights are intended to recognize sponsorships or a significant contribution by a private individual or corporate entity that benefits the School District.

   1. The Chief of Facilities Management shall maintain records of the naming of schools, buildings and components of buildings.

   2. Naming rights shall be reviewed on a periodic basis, and a naming right may be renewed for an additional period as approved by the School Board.

   3. No facility shall be named after someone whose positions, opinions and/or reputation is inconsistent with the mission and vision of the School District.

   4. The School Board shall have discretionary authority to rescind a naming right at any time based on any action by a private individual or corporate entity that is deemed by the School Board to be inappropriate and/or in conflict with the School District's values.

   5. Funds donated for naming rights shall be deposited either in the school's internal account(s), with the school's foundation (if one exists) or with the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County. If the funds are deposited with the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County the funds will be transferred to a particular school or paid out in accordance with a written agreement between the School District and the donor.

   6. Schools may not be named after a living person, however, buildings and building components may be named after persons living or deceased.

6. Duration of Naming Rights. The duration of naming rights shall be proportionate to the value of a donation, endowment or other significant contributions to a school. For buildings and components of buildings, the School Board recognizes two types of naming rights, short-term and long-term naming rights. The provisions for each are outlined as follows:

   1. Short-Term Naming Rights. Short-term naming rights shall be valid for a period of up to ten years, unless otherwise specified by the Superintendent or School Board at the time of approval. Buildings and building components named prior to April 1, 2009 shall be excluded from this provision. Any funds donated for short-term naming may be deposited in a school's internal fund for short-term use, or may be deposited as an endowment in the school's foundation if one exists.

   2. Long-Term Naming Rights. In addition to the other naming opportunities provided in this policy, buildings may be named after a donor for more than 10 years but not to exceed 40 years, unless approved otherwise by the Board, provided that a substantial sum is placed in an endowment to benefit the school long-term. The Education Foundation of Palm Beach County may serve as the host foundation for the endowment if the school does not have its own.

7. Master School Naming Programs.

   To enable predictability in soliciting donors, a school principal may bring forward a pro-active naming program for the school. Once the School Board approves a Master School Naming Program for a particular school, additional School Board approval is not required unless there is a deviation from the approved program.