Update: No Name Change for Stuttgart High School

Update:
Stuttgart School District Superintendent Dr. Melvin Bryant recommended that no action be taken in naming any facility in the district after the late Joe C. Williams--a well known educator in the district that passed away earlier in the year.

KARK reported earlier in the week that some former students created the Stuttgartians Who Don't Want a Name Change for SHS Facebook page - that page gained huge support.

The page was created after the school board announced it was thinking of changing Stuttgart High to Joe C. Williams High.

The school board says Williams had done so much for the district--they just wanted to honor his name.

Those opposing say they feel something nice should be done in honor of Williams - they suggest a scholarship fund.

Original Story:

The page Stuttgartians Who Don't Want A Name Change For SHS developed within hours, of some graduates learning that there could be a possible name change, for their former High School.

"You know how things are on the social network," said former student Judy Parker, she is class of 1967.

Things spread fast, like Stuttgart School Board Members thinking of changing the name of Stuttgart High School.

"Everybody's like no no you can't do that," added Parker.

The proposed name change is Joe C. Williams, who recently passed away earlier in the year, a longtime, well respected educator in town.

"A lot of us alumni said no we don't want that, our memories are our fond memories of Stuttgart High School," said Parker.

So this group turned to social media to fight the name change.

"The last time I checked it was around 600 members," said Parker.

Stuttgart School Board Members say the idea came up at a recent board meeting, a nice gesture for a man who served as superintendent and principal, at just about every level in the district.

"We just felt like all that he has done for the community this would be, well we wanted to find someway to remember him in a positive manner," said Dr. Melvin Bryant.

Judy and friends agree, they say the page was not to bash Williams or his legacy, in fact they say something should be done to remember him.

"I think that's an honorable idea, we suggest maybe a scholarship fund and we think he is well deserving of that," said Parker.

Bryant adds, "This is not anything we have put on the docket for change. I wanna ease their minds, get that out first, we have not made a decision, there has not been a vote."