Namesake Final Report

District Namesake Final Report
Posted on 10/11/2021
Remarks from the District Namesake Committee...
The Namesake Advisory Committee was appointed to collect community perspective on the Seaman name and how the board should handle the knowledge of Fred A. Seaman’s involvement in the KKK. Together, the Advisory Committee consists of 9 district patrons, alumni, and a current student. Each member is proud of their connection to USD 345 and hopeful for the district’s future.

We have never approached our work as a decision-making process, but rather have worked to provide the Board with the best information to make a well-informed decision. We worked with the Kansas Leadership Center through several workshops and leadership training to create a process to guide this data collection. We sought out to gather community input through a survey, in-person and ultimately online interviews, and researched historical information in relation to Fred A. Seaman, USD 345, and the KKK.

The report that we have compiled summarizes our work in each of these areas. We make no attempt to recommend a final decision or outcome based on our findings, but rather we seek to inform the board and the community as a whole on what steps we believe need to be taken regardless of the board’s decision on this matter. We believe above all else our community needs to be celebrated and unified as we move forward.

This report, historical data, and petitions from the community will all be made available on the district website immediately. We are proud of our work and encourage the community to truly read the report and other documents with an open-mind and open hearts.

We thank the Board and District Administration for this opportunity to serve our community.

Click here to view the final report and supporting documents.