To the Members of the RSD13 Board of Education,

We, the undersigned residents, parents, and community members of Durham and Middlefield, formally submit this petition to express our steadfast opposition to any proposal to rename Memorial School.

We request that the Board of Education preserve the current name, honoring the historical intent and the community's long-standing connection to this institution.

Reasons for Opposition:

• Historical Significance: The name "Memorial" was chosen with purpose—to serve as a lasting tribute. Changing it diminishes the historical weight of that dedication and ignores the original intent of the community members who established the school.

• Community Identity: For generations, Memorial School has been a cornerstone of our district. Its name is woven into the personal histories of thousands of students and families. A name change creates an unnecessary disconnect between the school’s past and its future.

• Fiscal Responsibility: At a time when district resources should be prioritized for educational excellence and facility improvements, the costs associated with rebranding—including new signage, digital updates, and administrative changes—represent an unnecessary expenditure of taxpayer funds.

• Lack of Mandate: There is no significant evidence that the community at large desires this change. We believe that school identity should reflect the will of the residents, not administrative preference.

Our Demand:

We call upon the RSD13 Board of Education to cease all plans to rename Memorial School and to officially commit to maintaining the name "Memorial School" for the duration of the building's service to the district.