The Moore County Board of Education is currently considering renaming McDeeds Creek Elementary School to honor a Medal of Honor recipient. While we are very grateful for all of our service men and women's sacrifices, I would like to make it very clear this petition has nothing to do with MSgt John Chapman, his family and the hero's he served with. As many of the McDeeds Creek staff, students and parents know first-hand his sacrifices he and his family have made.  

We need your support and help to show the Moore County Board of Education that renaming McDeeds Creek Elementary should not be a priority...Our children and their education should be!

1. In December 2018 the Board of Education voted on the name of McDeeds Creek Elementary. It was unanimously approved by the board less than 4 years ago.
2. There is a school board policy (7550) that prohibits naming schools after people living or deceased. What is the need for changing the policy now. Also, to note the community tried to change the policy in 2018 to have the school named after a Union Pines student that had passed away but BOE denied their proposal. What is the need for changing that policy now. 
3. If this name change is supposed to "promote citizenship in MCS" why aren't McDeeds administration, staff, students and parents involved in this decision. 
4. While the Board is currently claiming there will be "no educational funds" used in renaming the school, they do not explain what funds will be used. What is the estimated cost? What about the branded merchandise parents, staff and admin have purchased. What about the items purchased for the school less than 4 years ago with the name and logo. What about the cost of time that individuals will need to dedicate to making this change happen (logistics of calculating the estimated costs, changing signage, changing letter heads, changing websites, changing apps, extra curricular uniforms, etc.) Will our mascot still be the Bulls? Will this privately funded money be compensating those who have to take time from their current role to make these changes. 
5. If there is privately funded money readily available, why aren't we asking them to help with our bus driver shortage. Did you know currently there are students at McDeeds Creek without bus transportation home from school. How many reading and math specialist could we hire to catch our students up who are behind from covid. Are you also aware there is a problem with our sewer/septic system, it has been months and the problem still isn't fixed. But there is money available to completely change the name of our school. 
6. On top of the reasons above, what is the need to unveil this renaming during the current State of Emergency? What is the urgency of this matter, that it couldn't wait until after Moore County was settled and schools were back to normal operations? 
7. In less than 4 years McDeeds Creek is continually rising above all other Moore County schools for its academic excellence and commitment to service but is also a nationally recognized school. This school is truly honoring Moore Countys past, present and future. The staff and students at McDeeds are proud to be a Bull. Changing the name is hurtful and unnecessary. McDeeds Creek is a very proud military minded community and would never discredit the valor of any of the brave Veterans who have served our country but stripping the school of its name is just not right. Does changing the name delete all of McDeeds Creek current accomplishments and awards?
8. Why wasn't anyone at the school itself involved in this decision. Currently, our PTA is raising funds to build a pavilion on our school grounds. This pavilion will include bathrooms, a concession stand and covered seating. This pavilion will be 100% funded and built by our community. A building that anyone would be proud of and would be honored to have their name on. But the Moore County Board of Education didn't know that...because they never communicated their plans to anyone at McDeeds. 
9. Lastly, to our McDeeds Creek Bulls...we are in this together, you are LOVED and the best is yet to come!!