Alexandria City Public Schools is asking residents to weigh in on proposals to name four campus spaces after individuals who made significant contributions to the community, with a public poll open through Oct. 22.
The School Board received petitions with at least 100 signatures each for naming opportunities at Alexandria City High School’s two campuses, Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School and the Early Childhood Center. The proposals range from honoring a two-time Super Bowl champion to memorializing a principal’s late son.
Keith Burns Field at Parker-Gray Stadium would recognize the 1990 T.C. Williams High School graduate who played 13 seasons as an NFL linebacker, winning two Super Bowl rings with the Denver Broncos. The petition emphasizes Burns’ continued dedication to Alexandria since his playing days ended. The stadium itself would retain its Parker-Gray name, which honors the city’s historic segregated school for Black students.
At the Minnie Howard Campus, the Kerry Donley Athletic Field Complex would pay tribute to Alexandria’s former mayor and longtime public servant. According to the petition, Donley made “extraordinary and long-lasting contributions” through governance, education and community service.
The Jean B. Reid Media Center at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary would commemorate a reading specialist who spent 30 years with ACPS, from 1971 to 2001, teaching and holding leadership positions across multiple schools.
Owen’s Place at the Early Childhood Center would honor Owen Michael Wagner, described as “a compassionate teen dedicated to helping children” who loved music and sports. He is the late son of the center’s principal, Heidi Haggerty-Wagner.
Community members can complete a brief poll through Oct. 22 as part of the first of two planned community engagement periods. The survey allows residents to provide feedback on the proposed names and suggest alternative recommendations. More information about each proposed honoree is available on ACPS’ Identity Project webpage.
All naming decisions will follow School Board Policy FFA and Regulation FFA-R, which govern the naming of school facilities. The School Board says that it will use community input to inform final decisions on the naming proposals.
