Public invited to meeting to name Sonoma Valley High football field

A nomination to name it after former coach Bob Midgley will be discussed and other suggestions will be solicited.|

INDEX-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

January 15, 2023

Facilities Nominating Process

Nominations must be submitted to Kyra Sherman, executive assistant to Acting Superintendent Elizabeth Kauffman, at ksherman@sonomaschools.org and must include the following.

• The name and contact information of the nominator

• The name and contract information of the individual or geographic region being nominated

• Years of service to the district or community for the person being nominated, if applicable

• The reason for the nomination

• The contributions of the individual to the school, district or community

• A letter from the family or descendants of the individual (if they can be located), giving their consent to the use of the name

• 100 signatures in support of the nomination from community members that demonstrate a cross section of the community

The Sonoma Valley Unified School District will be holding an online public meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 18, to discuss a nomination to name the Sonoma Valley High School athletic field and solicit other nominations for the facility.

The late Robert “Bob” Midgley, who graduated from Sonoma Valley High School and then spent 25 years teaching physical education classes and coaching the football team — has been nominated for the honor by Prestwood Elementary School teacher Renea Magnani.

Any school district employee, alumnus, student or parent, or any community member can nominate a name for the facility for 30 days after the Jan. 18 meeting. The district’s facility naming committee will not make any decisions about naming the field at the meeting. The committee will ultimately recommend a name for the field to the superintendent, who in turn will make a recommendation to the board.

The district utilizes the following criteria when naming buildings, facilities and fields:

∎ Primary consideration will be given to people who have made significant contributions and created or enhanced programs in the district or the local community.

∎ The board may consider naming facilities in honor of the contributions of students, staff members and community members who have been deceased for at least one year. The name of a living person may be considered.

∎ A name cannot be considered if an existing school, facility, field or portion of a school or facility is already named for the person.

∎ The name selected should have broad acceptance in Sonoma Valley’s multicultural community.

∎ Non-individual or geographic names may be considered.

∎ No donor can purchase naming rights at any district school or facility. Recognition of donations can be reflected on buildings and other facilities by plaques and other methods of labeling.

The meeting on Jan. 18 can be accessed at this link.

Reach the reporter, Dan Johnson, at daniel.johnson@sonomanews.com.