(story corrected from original story that said the board would honor Breedlove at first home game)
The West Orange-Cove school board has decided to wait before buying a permanent sign to designate Leroy D. Breedlove Field at the Dan R. Hooks Stadium. During a split vote Monday night, the school board decided not to spend $5,500 for the sign. The money was to come from the budget for teacher and staff incentives.
The board, also in a split decision, voted a year ago to name the high school football field in honor of Breedlove, a longtime educator and coach with the district. A sign has not been purchased and district Communications Director Lorraine Shannon said Tuesday a dedication date has not been set.
Trustee John Gray said he could not vote to spend the money after he learned the district may lose $600,000 in revenues because of new state legislation.
The board spent more than an hour discussing the sign. Trustee Bryan “Chop” Thomas Muhammad passionately pleaded for the Breedlove sign. He said the money is small amount and the district could make it up from other budgeted items. He pointed out that if the money came from the incentives budget, it would mean each employee in the district would lose only a few dollars. Someone calculated that the amount would be about $12 per employee.
Superintendent Rickie Harris interjected that the incentive money is not guaranteed to employees.
Board President Ruth Hancock said she was ready to buy the sign, but after learning about the possible loss of income, she could not spend the money now. She said the district can get a temporary sign from OCARC to use until the state school financing rules are set.
Muhammad said a temporary sign is disrespectful to Breedlove. He accused the community of being disrespectful and racist toward Breedlove during the process of naming the field.
Trustee Roderick Robertson said he wants to make sure the district has the money to spend on the sign.
Spectrum Scoreboards of Houston had given the district a price of nearly $5,500 for the enamel-coated sign to be added to the scoreboard. The price was for a sign 2-feet-9-inches tall and 32-feet wide. The cost includes installation.
Muhammad and Trustee the Rev. Hardy O’Neal voted to spend the money for the sign. Trustees Linda Platt-Bryant, Gray, Robertson and Hancock opposed spending the money at this time. Trustee Sarah Jefferson Simon was absent.
In other business, the board honored the West Orange-Stark High School baseball team which played in the state championship game. Each member of the team received a certificate.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
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