SWD Track Meeting Minutes 20250520

                     Track Renaming Committee Meeting

Call to Order

A meeting of Southwest DeKalb High School Renaming of the Track Committee was
held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 4:30 pm at Southwest DeKalb High School.

Attendees
   ➢ Dr. Thomas Glanton – Facilitator
   ➢ Mr. Brandon Thompson – Principal
   ➢ Mrs. Linda Bell – PAC Co-Chair
   ➢ Dr. Tiffany Hogan – Board Member, District Five
   ➢ Mr. Marcus Kimber – Culture and Climate Coordinator
   ➢ Mr. Douglas Ward -- Assistant Principal
   ➢ Mrs. Damita Jackson – PAC Chair
   ➢ Mrs. Veselda Tasby – PAC Secretary

Action Items
• Principal Thompson – Distribute a community survey following the formal
   presentation to gather feedback on honoring Coach Cobb.
• Mrs. Bell/Mrs. Jackson – Follow up with the Alumni Association President to explore
   partnership opportunities.
• PAC – Develop the formal presentation, including biographical highlights of Coach
   Cobb and justification for the renaming.
• Mr. Kimber – Schedule the next virtual committee meeting for June 16th at 9am to
   present and vote on the naming proposal.

Meeting Overview
The Track Renaming Committee convened to discuss the proposal to rename the
Southwest DeKalb High School track and field in honor of Coach Cobb. Committee
Chair and District 5 Board Representative Dr. Tiffany Hogan outlined the group’s
responsibilities, policy expectations, and the requirement of at least one formal meeting
and vote. Key topics included estimated costs, community input, and the preparation of a
final presentation. The committee tentatively scheduled the next meeting for June 16 to
finalize the proposal.



Guidelines and Policy Overview
The committee reviewed policy guidelines outlining the requirements for naming school
facilities. These include committee formation, the minimum meeting requirement, and
the necessity of a formal vote. Dr. Hogan emphasized the need for a well-prepared
presentation supporting the name proposal, to be submitted for approval on the August
board agenda.

Discussion on Naming and Fundraising
The board policy regarding naming rights, especially in cases involving deceased
individuals, was clarified. The subcommittee provided a report detailing the cost range
for historical markers ($1,100–$2,800) and recommended a fundraising goal of $3,500.
The committee also discussed potentially naming the scoreboard in Coach Cobb’s honor,
with an estimated cost of $9, 000 before customization. Members considered the
scoreboard’s relevance to multiple sports and the broader school community.

Community Engagement and Survey Plans
The committee stressed the importance of engaging the school and local community. A
survey will be issued following the formal presentation to collect community feedback.
The results will help inform final recommendations. The importance of clear
communication and transparency in the renaming process was emphasized.

Finalizing the Next Steps
The committee agreed to finalize preparations for the formal presentation and vote during
the next scheduled virtual meeting on June 16th at 9am. The presentation will include
Coach Cobb’s background, his impact on the school and community, and a detailed
justification for the renaming proposal. The community survey will be launched
immediately following the presentation.