What's In A Name? Everything! Keep Irle Elementary

A name is identity, a heritage, a tradition and a trust. It is something that is cultivated and earned over years, even generations. In education, a name is a memory or an association with a force that sparks many of us to strive to reach our potential in life.

R. L. Irle’s story may be forgotten to many, but we all know he was an educator. By giving that recognition to a neighborhood school affirms our recognition in all educators in our community. It is a unique and personal place for our most treasured young students.

For almost 60 years, that school has held some of Glasgow’s finest educators and preserving that name demonstrates our respect for their memory and their contributions to generations of students. It demonstrates as well our respect for the many students who went on to become valued members of our community and beyond.

Some would name a new building for where it sits; but it is my opinion that is cold, lacks imagination and severs all ties to a trust that we were given to preserve.

As a former Trustee who worked for three terms to give that name a modern space in a new building in our old neighborhood, I implore this Board to vote for “Irle Elementary.” Your vote for “Irle Elementary” is a vote for everything we value in the name and in education.