MCUSD looks to honor its teachers with re-naming of some school sites

In spring of 2025 the Mariposa County Unified School District board started the process for creating a Facility Naming Committee to look at the possibility of renaming facilities.

Following board policies and regulations, the committee began holding meetings in April.

After a variety of meetings and input from the community, the board discussed moving forward with re-naming a few of the facilities within the district.

The recommendations

• Rename Sierra Home School to Sierra Independent Study

• The Alternative Education complex to be renamed honoring Judy Eppler

• The new building on the lower campus at MCHS to be named LaNotte-Hays Hall for the Humanities

• Rename the multi-purpose building at Woodland Elementary after Rose Varney

“The idea was to create a committee that annually looks at buildings and sites across our district and takes recommendations from the community on renaming sites/buildings/programs after recommendations have been provided,” Superintendent Jeff Aranguena explained.

“At this time the committee has brought these recommendations to the board.”

The item was an information only item during the December meeting but is being brought back to the meeting on Jan. 15 as a discussion, information and action item.

“I wanted to say thank you to the committee. We appreciate their due diligence,” board chair Wayne Forsythe said.

“I think it’s well over due. There’s some folks listed here who have committed their lives to this district.”

Forsythe continued, explaining a couple of the names listed are people who have been involved with the district for over 50 years.

“Mrs. Hays has worked for many years and continues to work, it’s more than fitting,” he said.

“Rose Varney taught for over 54 years with the district and was dedicated.”

Forsythe noted that many people who live and work in the community currently have had Hays or Varney as a teacher in the past.

“It’s well overdue to see these names.”

Trustee Bob Morse asked if the people/families listed have been contacted and if they approve of having their name included.

“Yes, that’s my understanding,” Aranguena said.

Some teachers have worked in the district long enough to teach the children of students they have taught in the past.

“I have to give it to Mrs. Hays,” laughed trustee Robert Hill.

“Anybody who can deal with me AND my son should be recognized.”