New name pending for BISD stadium

In a 5-2 vote of the Beaumont Independent School District (BISD) Board of Trustees the evening of Jan. 20, the elected officials opted to move forward with changing the name of the district’s stadium. What the new name will be, however; that remains to be determined.

During an initial discussion of the matter, Trustee Kevin Reece made a recommendation to change the name of the stadium – period. Confusion kept the conversation moving for a little longer. Trustee Matilda Hickman called for clarification of what the board would change the name to. But, there was no clarification to be had, according to Reece, who, after multiple attempts made by BISD attorney Sierra Fisher, would not confirm or deny that further discussion would be needed to pick a name instead of blindly approving an already planned moniker.

“My motion is to rename the Memorial Stadium. That’s it. That’s it,” Reece said. Vague though it may be, four trustees, including Kevin Reece, Woodrow Reece, Stacey Lewis Jr. and Robert Dunn voted for the item anyway. Trustee Denise Wallace Spooner requested communication with the board’s counsel.

“According to the motion,” Fisher advised, “There is currently not a name selected to put on the stadium.”

Convening into executive session, BISD trustees apparently discussed the matter further. On their return to open session, the board rescinded Reece’s earlier proposal and he instead offered a clearer version of the board’s intent on acceptance.

“I move that the board approve the renaming Beaumont ISD Memorial Stadium and direct the superintend to meet with the facilities committee to develop a request for proposal to explore naming rights, options, in conjunction with a new name.” Reece instead offered.”

This time the vote passed with five trustees in agreement. Trustees Hickman and Joe Evans voted in dissent.