John Kelly, Ph. D.

I am as much responsible as anyone for the situation the board finds itself in over the name of the new high school.  Here is how this happened beginning in November 2005:

In accordance with board policy, a committee was established to name the new high school. One of our trustees headed a large group of 21 citizens and immediately ran into big problems. Almost everyone wanted “their” high school named Boerne High School. For some, “their” high school was the new campus; for others it was the existing one. 

There appeared to be no other acceptable name for the “other” campus. I asked a few folks in the community what they thought about naming the school after Sam Champion.  People liked the idea.  (Incidentally, there are probably a few people claiming they originated the idea for naming a school after Mr. Champion – and doubtless many thought of it before or at the same time I did.)  I then asked a member of Sam’s family whether he could make inquiries as to how acceptable the idea might be to them. I heard back that some of the family members had already thought of such an idea and that they liked it. Sam himself avoided giving a public view on the subject but was not opposed to the idea. 

I then talked to a couple of key members of the naming sub-committee.  The idea was gaining traction. But it had a few obstacles. First, the existing board policy required that only names of deceased individuals be used for naming campuses. But we agreed with many that the honor would be more meaningful to Sam if it were conferred while he was with us.  As the naming committee continued to meet, board members signaled willingness to make an exception to policy.  This was not without some difficulty from members of the community who disagreed. 

Citizens responded overwhelmingly to a community-based petition in favor of naming one of the high schools after Mr. Champion. More than 1500 names were collected though it remained unclear which campus should receive the name.

The naming committee remained split over which school should receive the Boerne High School name. When a final vote was taken, that name was narrowly recommended for the new high school.  But the dissenting members of the committee were upset and raised the issue in the press and elsewhere. The board decided to resolve the issue by commissioning a survey of the community.  By a two-thirds majority, the citizens voted to keep the Boerne High School name at the existing campus. 

Although it seemed that this solved the matter, it did not. Many people who intended to send their children to the new campus were upset because the new school would not have “Boerne” as a part of the name. They wanted that official name on the building, on the transcripts, diplomas and everywhere prominent.  I then started asking around about how people would feel if we named the school “Boerne Champion High School.” This appeared to meet with widespread approval. In fact, I do not remember a single person objecting at that time.  This included my contact with the Champion family member who at the time expressed thanks for having his name remembered.

The “Boerne Champion High School” name was unanimously approved.  But shortly after Mr. Champion’s death in January 2007, I began to hear from one board member, who was up for re-election.  He told me that although he had previously been fine with the Boerne Champion name, he now wanted the board to re-consider. 

Two citizens approached the school district thereafter about a public fund-raising drive to build a statue in Sam’s honor at a prominent location at the new school. The board readily approved, noting it would add to the plans we had designed for a display case inside the new school commemorating Sam with various memorabilia. 

In view of the emotion surrounding Sam’s recent death, I advised the board to wait a few months before re-addressing the naming issue.  In May 2007, the board re-addressed the issue. I still hoped the board would stay the course, otherwise we would re-open a controversy among those who insisted on the “Boerne” portion of the name.  I also felt the board should not set a precedent for endlessly discussing issues already decided.  By a vote of 5-2 in May 2007 the board maintained their previous decision to call the new school “Boerne Champion High School.”

Last month, the dissenting board member let me know he had spoken with Caroline Champion.  He related that she was thinking about writing a letter to the local paper and that he had given her some quotes for it.  The letter came out later that week and essentially said the new campus name should contain all of her husband’s name or nothing.  Various people have publicly weighed in afterwards via the local newspaper.  Pressure for the name change also came from the San Antonio Express-News. 

I don’t hear much right now from those who previously insisted on “Boerne” as a part of the name.  Perhaps people eventually surrender to those most vocal.  This could include many who previously insisted on “Boerne High School” for their own campus – but are now indignant that Sam’s full name can’t be used at the other school! 

I think that the name “Boerne Champion High School,” his coming statue, and the display of his memorabilia are very generous means of honoring his memory. The current name addresses both those who desire “Boerne” in the name and those who want to honor Mr. Champion.  Though some have unfairly demonized the board majority in order to gain applause (or election votes?), I believe the board has diligently sought to navigate through the turbulent and shifting winds of public opinion.

John P. Kelly is superintendent of the Boerne Independent School District.