Group wants Springfield boxer's name added to school

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By By Megan Gildow, Staff Writer Updated 8:43 AM Friday, November 20, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — Fans of boxing legend and Springfield native Davey Moore packed Springfield City Schools board meeting Thursday, Nov. 19, to show support for a request to add his name to Fulton Elementary School.

“The people in that neighborhood, we have vested interest in there,” said retired school teacher Patricia Fields. “He is one of our own. There is not one school in Springfield, Ohio, that is named after a person of color.”

Board members agreed to consider the formal request from the group represented by former Mayor Dale Henry, including asking for an estimate of costs associated with amending the name.

Fulton is named after John Fulton, one of the city’s first two public school principals, said board President Donna Picklesimer.

“John Fulton was one of the first individuals involved in establishing the tax supported education system shortly after Springfield was chartered as a city,” she said.

The group is seeking to change the name to John Fulton-Davey Moore Elementary School, citing Moore’s accomplishments and a world champion boxer and cuts made to Davey Moore Park to accommodate the building. Moore’s son, Rick, attended the meeting to speak on his father’s behalf.

Rick Moore said that when his family learned about the cuts to the park it hurt him personally but also the community.

“We don’t have to spend $10,000 on a marquee,” he said. “Just add Dad’s name.”

Costs to changing the name could include the school signs, paper costs and school uniforms, which currently read “Fulton’s finest,” said Principal Sherry Cross.

The board expects to make a final decision at its last board meeting of 2009, to be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 10 in the board room at Clark Learning Center.

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