Board defers Holloway High renaming, asks for community meeting

The Rutherford County School Board on May 14 deferred a proposed renaming of Holloway High School and asked school leaders to hold a school‑level community meeting before returning a naming recommendation to the board.

Public commenter Mary Watkins, a Holloway High graduate and retired Rutherford County school employee, told the board she was concerned that changing the Holloway High name to “Holloway Creative Learning Academy” would reduce visible recognition for the African‑American community. “I just wanted to voice my opinion… I feel like that pretty much represent[s] the African‑American community,” she said.

Board members discussed options, including adding the new program name while retaining the Holloway name or holding further outreach at the school level. A motion to refer the naming recommendation back to the school for community meetings and to return with a revised recommendation next month was moved, seconded, and approved by voice vote.

The board emphasized it wants community input before taking a final naming action.

Next steps: school leaders and the community will meet to discuss naming options and return a recommendation to the board at the next regular meeting.