SALINA, Okla. — People in Salina don't want the former superintendent's name displayed on the school's fieldhouse.
"Yeah, they're wanting to put his name on that. That's bull crap," said a person who lives in Salina. She wanted to stay anonymous because her family owns a business in town.
The school board unanimously approved the naming in February, the same month the district settled a $2.6 million negligence lawsuit.
2 News previously told you Salina property taxes cover the remaining $1.6 million. The district's liability insurance only covered $1 million of the settlement.
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"It feels really like our school board is really disconnected from our community," said a parent whose children go to Salina Public Schools. The parent wanted to stay anonymous.
While the field house doesn't yet display Tony Thomas's name, it's been designated the "Tony Thomas Field House, " which people tell me is upsetting, especially as the lawsuit fell under his administration.
In March 2019, John Horner, a teacher, was accused of inappropriately touching several students, 12 of which are named in a lawsuit filed in November 2020. After the investigations, the families and victims sued the district, saying the school was negligent in reporting and handling the situation.
"Yeah, that is angering," said Riley Moore.
He recently built a home in Salina. He said the former superintendent caused many problems, even for those without kids.
"Once the house got built, it's a 1,800 sqft house with three acres of land. Pretty average-sized house and my property taxes this year we $4,100 which is more than three times my mortgage payments," Moore said.
People in and out of the schools have their reasons for wanting the name removed. On Change.org the creator of the petition their reasoning for wanting the name removed.
"We believe in a future where our field house represents the unity, progress, and dedication of competent leaders who truly serve our children and school district," the post said.
2 News contacted the current superintendent to see if he would go on camera for an interview. He responded with a text that said the school has no comment about the field house name.
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