From Pat Lacy-Hall

From: Pat Hall [mailto:placeyh1@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, November 03, 2011 4:27 PM
To: david.blair.hcsboard@gmail.com
Cc: Tim Lull; Caillouet, Larry; wrakins@knology.net
Subject: Renaming Lee High School

Mr. Blair:

The renaming of Lee High School bothers me on many levels, but perhaps the one that stands out the most is that it is an illegal action since Dr. Wardynski has NOT brought this before the board for approval. You represent the Lee District, yet you said nothing as you sat in the PTSA meeting at New Century High School when he made this announcement and have not made any formal statements up to this point. You made no moves to stop him from removing the name of Lee from the new building, which has been planned as Lee High School from its inception for years now. Even though you were not a board member when the original planning started, you were part of this community so I'm sure you know the history of the new building of  Lee High School.

I feel that if you are going to represent District II, it is time for you to start doing so now. The naming of a high school and especially, renaming a high school, STARTS as a board action.

The board needs to inform Dr. Wardynski of Alabama Law. Lee High School has a history of close to fifty years and as you know, there is already a magnet school placed at Lee that has been quite successful for many years. I'm sure the students and faculty of Lee will welcome the students and faculty of New Century without having to give up their beloved name of Lee High School.

Thank you for representing our district,

Pat Hall 

From Ray Zimmerman

Thanks Tim,

I just sent this note to Dr. Wardynski.

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I read today where a decision has been made, or about to be made to tarnish the proud history of Lee High School in Huntsville. Of course I refer to the rumor, and I trust it is just a rumor, to rename the new Lee High School facility.  I understand that the Lee High School moniker on the new building has been removed. That can only mean that a new name is being considered. As a 1967 Lee graduate I respectfully ask that such a decision not be made. If it has been made, then I request that decision be changed. In the sixties Lee was one of only three high schools in the Huntsville area. Those of us that attended Lee were and still are proud of our association with our alma mater.
I lived in Huntsville for thirty-five years prior to moving to St. Louis, MO. I still own property in Madison County and plan to return upon my retirement. I have three grandchildren that will attend school in the area so I am extremely concerned that their future education is compliance with high standards but that the heritage of the school system be preserved. Please do not allow the Lee High name to be removed from the new facility.

Best Regards,

COL Ray Zimmerman 

LHS 1967

From Margaret Poole-Meyers

From: Margaret Meyers <fairhopedr@aol.com>
Date: November 3, 2011 5:47:47 PM CDT
To: "drw@hsv.k12.al.us" <drw@hsv.k12.al.us>
Subject: Lee High School name

Mr. Casey Wardynski, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Huntsville City School System

 Dear Mr. Wardynski,

I am sending you a copy of the letter sent to Ms. McCaulley.  However, this first part is just for you.  I am presently in Muscle Shoals visiting my elderly father.  While here I saw the news about the potential loss of the Lee High School name.  I saw also a brief interview with you.  It was clear that you are not from here and do not share the pride and tradition associated with Lee High School.  It is, therefore understandable that you could consider abolishing  the Lee High Name.  However, you need to realize it is much more than just the name you would be erasing.  It is many years of school pride and love of our school you would be thumbing your nose at and that makes it a personal "slap in the face" of every Lee High School alumnus.  Most educators try to promote school pride and tradition, not try to eradicate it!

The following is a copy of the letter to Ms. McCaulley:

I was surprised to be deeply disturbed and angry to hear that the new Lee High School may never come to be as there are plans to consider other names for the new school.  Frankly, I did not know I cared that much, but I do!  In fact, we are planning our high school reunion for the class of 1967.  Without a school we will be the alumni of nothing!  School spirit was something we always had in abundance!!

I know of no way to reach your heart as you have probably never experienced this personally.  However, I beg you and other members of the board to try to empathize with the Lee High School alumni.  Hopefully, trying to put yourself in our place will convince you to treat us as you would want to be treated.  

PLEASE DON'T TAKE OUR SCHOOL AWAY FROM US!

Sincerely,

Margaret Poole Meyers, MD

Lee High School Class of 1967

Hospitalist at Thomas Hospital

1685 Greenwood Ave.

Fairhope, Al. 36532

E-mail: Fairhopedr@aol.com

New Lee High School Name Controversy

By: Shea Allen Email: sallen@waaytv.com Last Update: 12:43 pm

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Huntsville, AL - Lee High School may lose its name when the new 42 million dollar campus is complete. The new facility is set to open its doors next fall. When it does, Huntsville City Schools Superintendent Casey Wardynski says it may do so under a new name. The possibility has students and teachers, both past and present, fuming. Although Wardynski says no absolute decision has been made, the "Lee High School" lettering that once adorned the new building has been taken down.  Parents and local residents were surprised to find that sometime this morning, following Tuesday night's PTA meeting at New Century High School, the name was quietly removed from the building. All that remains is the "LHS" which is carved into the marble on the facade of the left-most building.  Wardynski says the possibility of a name change is part of a branding effort for the new school. When it opens next fall, Wardynski says it will house a combination of students from Lee and New Century. He also says Lee High's current principal will not be head of the new campus. Instead, Wardynski says the principal of New Century will be named "Dean" of the new campus.        Huntsville's Superintendent of Education say he has been flooded with phone calls and emails since the story broke Tuesday night. He stressed to WAAY 31's Shea Allen that a new name is still just a possibility, and that the community will be involved in any renaming of the school.          Wardynski said, "I understand tradition. But it is important to know when to value traditions and when its time to move in a new direction and start new traditions."         The Superintendent says a "steering comittee" is being formed to get input from the community and come up with a new name. He says the issue is not on the agenda for Thursday night's school board meeting. But, that isn't stopping students and teachers from showing up. Several current students say they plan on showing up and taking their full five minutes to address the school board and voice their opinions over the sudden name change

Proposed Name Change to LEE HIGH

Lee High School students march in protest of Huntsville superintendent's proposal to change school name (updated with photos, video)

Published: Thursday, November 03, 2011, 8:20 AM     Updated: Thursday, November 03, 2011, 10:53 AM

 By Chris Welch, The Huntsville Times 
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Students Walk Out of Lee High School: Nov. 3, 2011HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Lee High School students march to the new school site to protest a proposed dropping of the Lee name. Superintendent Casey Wardynski arrives to speak to students. (The Huntsville Times/Keith Clines)Watch video

EnlargeRobin Conn, The Huntsville TimesA Lee High School student shows support fro Principal Paul Parvinl during a protest march Thursday morning Nov. 3, 2011. About 250 students took part in the protest march from the current school to the construction site of the new school. (The Huntsville Times/Robin Conn)Lee Student Protest gallery (14 photos)

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HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Students marched from the current Lee High School to the new one this morning in reaction to a proposal to eliminate the Lee High School name when a newly constructed replacement school opens in the fall.

Superintendent Dr. Casey Wardynski showed up at the protest and talked to the students, convincing them to go back to class and promised no repercussions for the walk-out.

"These young people obviously have an opinion," Wardynski said. "I think the way that young folks express themselves is important, but there is a safer way to do it."

The 250 or so students walked out of the current Lee building at about 8:05 a.m. and around to the front of the new building. They stopped there and started chanting "Lee High School!", "Save Our School!" and "Show your L!"

They went back to class after Wardynski walked into the middle of them and told them he appreciated their opinion and would not punish them for protesting.

The students were also worried about rumors that Principal Paul Parvin, who followed the protesters to the new school site along with school security, would not be principal when the new school opened.

Wardynski said no decision has been made about who will be the principal, and Parvin declined to comment. 

Wardynski said Wednesday that no decision has been made about the name of the new school, and said this morning such a decision was six months away. But the president of the school's Parent Teacher Student Association said the name of the school was removed from the new building on Wednesday.

"It was up this morning when I dropped off my daughter around 10 (minutes) to 8," Carole Fandre said. "When I went back around 1:30, it was down."

EnlargeGlenn Baeske, The Huntsville TimesLee High School signage removed from new building. Spots where letters were attached can be seen above West side main entrance.(The Huntsville Times/Glenn Baeske)Lee High School Signage Removed From New Building gallery (9 photos)

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Fandre, who also ran for school board last year, said the possible name change came as a shock to the Lee community.

"We were not informed of any of these discussions that were had at New Century," Fandre said.

Wardynski said the possibility of a name change was brought up by parents during a discussion Tuesday night at a New Century PTA meeting. He said the discussion was part of the preparations to merge Lee students with students from New Century Technology High School in the new building.

Wardynski said this morning that he had the name signs removed from the school so that it wouldn't be presumed that a name had already been chosen. "We want to work from blank paper," he said.

Lee High senior M'Lynn Medley said this morning the students planned to walk outside during today's lunch period and sing the school's Alma Mater, but instead students walked out just after the opening bell.

Medley said students also plan to march at 5 p.m. from the Sonic Drive-In on Pratt Avenue to the Annie Merts Center at 200 White St., where the school board will meet at 5:30 p.m.

Times Staff Writer Crystal Bonvillian contributed to this report.

What do you think? Lee High may get new name along with new facility?

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Lee High School may go by another name when its new facility opens to students next fall.

WHNT News 19 reported late Tuesday that Dr. Casey Wardynski, the Huntsville superintendent, is planning to form a task force to come up with a new name for the new campus.

What do you think of Wardynski's push to rename the school? Your comments may be included in a follow-up story on the issue.

What was the 'NICKNAME' of this '67 General??

Congratulations to Max Kull for correctly identifying the nickname of this 1966 General as "Sugar Bear" Charlie Marx.

Identify the following???

Just for fun between Name That General 6&7 who can identify your classmates in this picture? What class was it and who was the teacher? (Double Click on the picture to enlarge)

Name That General #6

Max Kull CORRECTLY named Larry Caillouet as Name That General #6; He explained that he came to this conclusion since most of those in the last clue were band members.

Let's go OLD GENERALS. Demonstrate your fond memories of the great 1967 seniors by telling me who this General is???

1.   I went to East Clinton, Lakewood, Rison, and Davis Hills schools before Lee High School.
2. I competed with Charlie Marx and Leslie Vaughn for grades.
3. Some of my friends were Max Kull, Jimmy Bledsoe, Debbie Garrison, Sandy Roman, Jim Ridgeway, Mike Self, Richard Collinsworth, Pat Lacey, and Nancy Jean.

Max Kull incorrectly guessed Charles Yankowsky
The other clues were to be;

1.  I played epic chess matches with Steven Clinkenbeard.
2.  I played songs for the cheerleaders but was a terrible musician.
3.  I couldn’t dance a lick; didn’t go to the senior prom.
4. I planned to become a preacher, but I didn’t.
5. I quit Mrs. Barron’s speech classes twice; now I teach communication.
6. I dated the same girl throughout senior year.
7. I enjoyed water skiing in high school; now I love to sail and scuba dive.
8. I was in the band.
9. I played clarinet.
10. I carpooled with Sherry Atkinson.
11. I bet a friend from Butler $5 that Lee would win our football game, but the bum never paid me.
12. I headed north after graduating from college in Tennessee and graduate school in Illinois.
13. I attended the 20th year reunion.

Name That General #5

Alright OLD Generals. I would suggest you buy some GINKO from GNC to improve your memories. Name That General #5 (Sherilyn Marshall-Myrick) has decided that she would take up sky diving in her advanced years.... Come back in a couple of weeks for #6...

The Class of 1967 has been correct on TWO of the four previous Name That General attempts. I hope you will be able to dig deep into your memory reserves and remember this Old General. If you think you know the 'Old General' contact me at timglull@gmail.com

1. I was an only child.
2. I moved to Huntsville in April 1963 from Wichita, Kansas.
3. I went to Davis Hills in 9^th grade and Lee 10^th through 12^th.
4. Favorite teachers were Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. Nelson, Ms. Faulkner, Mrs. Ange.
5. My favorite classes were home economics, typing, bookkeeping.
6. I worked in the library. 
7. Hobbies then:  Loved to sew (made most of my clothes in HS) and cook. 
8. I was in G.A.A., Pep Club, Home Economics Club, and Morning Watch.
9. In 10^th grade I rode the bus; 11^th and 12^th my dad took me in the morning and my mom would pick me up or I would get someone in my neighborhood to take me home.
10. I went to church with the same guy I dated in the 11^th grade. 
11. My mother would not let me have friends come to the house, so I made sure I didn’t get too friendly with other girls who might want to come over.
12. I made friends with different girls in my classes.
13. My best guy friends were mainly who I was dating at the time.
14. I went to Calhoun and then to Athens College.
15. I dated a guy named Phil, then dated and married his best friend.
16. Went  to the prom with Larry Myrick in the 12th grade. 

            NAME THAT GENERAL

Congratulations to Max Kull and Family!!

Max's daughter Virginia Kull is appearing on Broadway in Man And Boy ( http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/broadway/manandboy/cast.htm) alongside Frank Langella. If you happen to be in New York City please go out and support the Class of 1967!!
VIRGINIA KULL (Carol Penn). Broadway: Dividing the Estate (Lincoln Center), Old Acquaintance (Roundabout). Off-Broadway: Sex Lives of our Parents (Second Stage Uptown); The Orphans' Home Cycle (Signature Theatre); Dividing the Estate (Primary Stages); Theophilus North, The Breadwinner (Keen Company). Regional: To Kill a Mockingbird (Hartford Stage); A View From the Bridge, Death of a Salesman (Arena Stage); The Tempest (Actors Theatre of Louisville); The Dining Room (Dorset Theatre Festival); Our Town (GeVa Theatre); The Breadwinner (Merrimack Repertory Theatre); A Doll's House (North Carolina Stage Company); As You Like It(Shakespeare Festival of Dallas). TV/Film: "Boardwalk Empire," "Nurse Jackie," "Law & Order: SVU," A NY Thing. Education: BFA, Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University.

Support for our reunion from leestraveller.com (September 4, 2011)

Subject:Class of '67 Reunion

Craig Bannecke

Class of '67

I was glad to see Tim Lull's email and plans for a Class of '67 reunion. It was nice seeing Tim at our reunion and he and I talked quite a bit through out the weekend. Your efforts at keeping this web page going I know inspires many of the other Lee Classes to keep up and renew old ties.

I found this picture of Tim (R) and Larry Snead if you have room to use it. You said you like to get pictures !

The fact that many Lee graduates from later classes attend our reunions is just one of many events that take place that make the reunions so special. Not sure if it was last year's reunion or a previous one but Greg Patterson came Saturday night to the dance and sat at our table for a while. It had been a long time since I had seen Greg, probably since ours days at Florence State. 

Our fantastic re-union committee has certainly established the Bench Mark for how a reunion should be organized and run and I wish Tim and the class of 67 all the best for September 2012. Who knows? Maybe Jennifer and I will show up.