The Grand County Board of Education voted unanimously at the January 20 meeting to name the new middle school building after former superintendent and educator Margaret Hopkin. Margaret was superintendent of schools 2007-2012.
Margaret was a "champion for children" in Grand County, said Kathryn Jackson, a former district teacher who spoke to the board during the public comments section of the meeting. Kathryn recalled several stories about working with Margaret for the betterment of children and education in the community.
Additional support came by phone calls, emails and letters sent to the board from former and current district staff, community members, parents, and the Grand County Commission and Moab's mayor. The proposal to include Margaret in the naming of the new middle school was initiated at the November 18 board meeting by Helen M. Knight Elementary Principal Jill Tatton and vice principal Libby Bailey, who asked for the board to consider naming the new middle school's library "The Hop" after Margaret and said administrators had brought up the idea of naming the building.
Board vice president Dr. Kathy Williams made the motion to name the new middle school Margaret L. Hopkin Middle School. Steve Kennedy seconded the motion. In discussion, Kathy said the board has seen overwhelming support for the name. Board president Melissa Byrd agreed and thanked the community and staff members for their initiative.
The motion to name the new middle school was the first action item of the year for new board members Ariel Atkins and Steve Kennedy. You can listen to yesterday's board meeting audio online here by selecting "Schools" and then "Grand County School District."