By CHRISTINE HAINES
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The Ringgold School Board Wednesday voted to table action on naming the middle school auditorium after being petitioned by parents and students in the district to name it for a beloved teacher.
The board had been planning to name the auditorium after the late Dr. Karen Polkabla, who had served as the superintendent in the district. Numerous members of the public asked the board to consider instead naming the auditorium in honor of long-time music teacher Melanie Sandrock. Sandrock had pushed for the construction of the auditorium in place of a multi-purpose room, which had originally been in the middle school plans.
Current Superintendent Megan Van Fossan said the administration and the board had been planning the naming of the auditorium for the past year, noting the district was planning a celebration of Polkabla’s life in December and had a mock-up done of the design for the name on the auditorium.
The board voted unanimously to table action on naming the auditorium after hearing from members of the public that they wanted the facility named in honor of Sandrock.
“She has dedicated her life to the Ringgold School District,” said Kim McIntosh, whose three daughters have been students in the district.
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