At its meeting on March 10, 2022, the Albemarle County School Board approved the recommendations of the superintendent, Dr. Matthew Haas, and a volunteer community advisory committee that Broadus Wood Elementary School should retain its name. The action by the board completed a process that began in September when Haas first appointed the advisory committee, which conducted three online surveys and two community information meetings before recommending to Haas that the school’s name remain the same.
The community advisory committee included the school’s principal, Amy Morris, and the division’s Community Education Coordinator, Karen Waters-Wicks. Katie Breaud, the school’s talent development resource teacher, and Ray Chrobak, the school librarian, served as the committee’s co-chairs. The other 10 committee members included Broadus Wood faculty, parents, alumni, and community members.
Information related to the Broadus Wood Elementary School Naming Review is accessible on the school division’s School Naming Review website, along with current information on all school naming reviews. Community members with questions or suggestions about the name review process can email the school division at SchoolNamingReview@k12albemarle.org.
The five previous school name reviews also were conducted by volunteer community advisory committees, and in each instance, the superintendent supported the committee’s recommendation. To date, the school board has changed the name of four schools and retained the name of two. Summaries of all completed reviews and those in progress are maintained on the school division’s School Names Under Review web page.
In total, 13 schools in ACPS were named after individuals when, in October of 2018, the school board directed that all 13 have their name evaluated by community advisory committees. The purpose of these name reviews is to ensure that all schools in ACPS have names that align with the school division’s values of equity, excellence, family and community, and wellness.
The next school to undergo a name review will be announced this spring. Updates will be provided on the school division’s School Naming Review website.
CONTACT: Helen Dunn, Legislative and Public Affairs Officer
PHONE: 434-249-8379