Gift to school forces debate over naming rights sales

wow, do we have respect?

Typical of the mind set of the left. They would rather raise taxes on everyone than allow a "rich" person to have their name on a gym wall or on a seat in the auditorium. This seems like a very good way to raise funds and the powers that be are trying to find a way to say no.

Seems that Saint Paul only renames it"s schools after Democrats. Of course, they are the ones that tax us to death for "the children".

"This roll to toilet paper was furnished by none other than ...

This is one of the few things that St.Paul Schools has gotten right!

Precedent was already set by naming the football field for James Griffin another Central Alum and donor.

Quit complaining about lack of taxpayer funding you liberals and embrace new solutions!
Private schools (grade schools, high schools, etc) have always named buildings after donors. They run totally off of self funding. How do you think it is that they are totally self sufficient and don't take a dime of taxpayer money? Tuition is only a small portion of the money it takes to run a private school. Learn from those that are successful.

What's the true impetus to donate? It seems the charitable aspect has diminished in light of having one's name splashed all over the place. If I ever am fortunate enough to help a school replace a gym surface, I will do it anonymously, not in an exercise of vanity.

It's wonderful that a successful alumn is willing and able to contribute to Central's continuous improvement! Of course his generosity should be recognized and remembered with a plaque. All of the students who attend this public school will have equal opportunity to enjoy the amenity, whether they actually play on the new surface, or cheer on those who do. Thank you, Mr. Sanford!

Wouldn't this help teach the wonderfull lesson of giving? This man was a student how many years ago? A student from a city school, who went on to make a wonderfull living, legally and now has offered to give back to his school. That is a truly great thing. By having his name somewhere in the gym, it will be able to be referenced to show kids that 1. take advantage of their education, as it will pay off 2. When you make it, be sure to give back

Despite his name, Denny Sanford is not a minority. Therefore NOTHING in this district should be named for him. It sends the wrong message to our kids to have things named after rich white guys. GoBama!

What about all the people who would like to have a plack in their honor but can't afford a financial contribution? Don't they deserve any recognition?

I propose we initiate a confiscatory redistribution of the wealth so that some poor people will have some money to give.

Central High Parent wrote:

It's wonderful that a successful alumn is willing and able to contribute to Central's continuous improvement! Of course his generosity should be recognized and remembered with a plaque. All of the students who attend this public school will have equal opportunity to enjoy the amenity, whether they actually play on the new surface, or cheer on those who do. Thank you, Mr. Sanford!

Well said!

As the article stated, Sanford put NO STRINGS on the donation. It was the school that offered to stamp his name on it (Gee, I guess the liberals did think of and act on that. Of course, that won't shut up the angry name calling conservatives). If all benefactors would be that generous, public education would be quite successful.

A little known story:
A benefactor was quite upset with the University. In a new sports lounge, the seating was covered in expensive durable upholstery fabric - that makes sense. The problem was - the fabric was covered with "Goldy", the Gopher mascot. "Nobody sits on our mascot". All of the seating had to be redone.

That's the potential problem with the deep wallets. Power and control. Some - not all - but some need recognition and praise and more. There are plenty of small towns that can tell you horror stories about their "public" schools being run based on the demands of the purse-strings power(s). Who gets to be on the team, who gets the new furniture/equipment/resources, who gets to keep their job because someone's going to build them this and that and give them these...

It's good to have the discussion of when/where/why this would be appropriate instead of bowing to the fattest check (the politician's way!). It sounds like Central is doing everything right and everyone will be rewarded... especially the kids!!!

Jerimiahs wRight wrote:

Despite his name, Denny Sanford is not a minority. Therefore NOTHING in this district should be named for him. It sends the wrong message to our kids to have things named after rich white guys. GoBama!

So only minorities should be able to have a plaque put up for a large donation they make? Maybe if they actually made some donations instead of complaining about the ones who do...

If having people donate to fund the new gym floor project gets it done, who cares if there is a plaque honoring those who care enough to put up the money?

Sometimes you need to be creative to make progress.

Julie wrote:

<quoted text>
So only minorities should be able to have a plaque put up for a large donation they make? Maybe if they actually made some donations instead of complaining about the ones who do...

Julie, don't be sucked in by this blatant attempt to turn this into a race based issue. In actuality it is more of a political issue.

still crayz

The Pika wrote:

What's the true impetus to donate? It seems the charitable aspect has diminished in light of having one's name splashed all over the place. If I ever am fortunate enough to help a school replace a gym surface, I will do it anonymously, not in an exercise of vanity.

Your stupidity will keep you from ever having wealth.

Tax Payer wrote:

<quoted text>
Your stupidity will keep you from ever having wealth.

And your asinine attitude will ever keep you from contributing something of worth to these forums.

All I said was if you want to give, do it out of good will, not delusions of grandeur OR the prospect of future control of your designated charity.

If you honestly believe that Coca-Cola, TCF, etc donate to schools without a vested interest in either control through product monopoly or increased name-recognition, perhaps you should apply your epithet to yourself.

The point of the article was to examine the future prospect of name-recognition in the district. While I understand the plaque was not a requirement from this donor, it usually is, which is WHY I begged the question, why can't people just donate without all the self-aggrandizement?

And we've come full circle.

The Pika wrote:

<quoted text>
And your asinine attitude will ever keep you from contributing something of worth to these forums.
All I said was if you want to give, do it out of good will, not delusions of grandeur OR the prospect of future control of your designated charity.
If you honestly believe that Coca-Cola, TCF, etc donate to schools without a vested interest in either control through product monopoly or increased name-recognition, perhaps you should apply your epithet to yourself.
The point of the article was to examine the future prospect of name-recognition in the district. While I understand the plaque was not a requirement from this donor, it usually is, which is WHY I begged the question, why can't people just donate without all the self-aggrandizement?
And we've come full circle.

It could be that they are trying to start a "Pay-it-Forward" kind of thing. When my grandmother passed, the family made a donation in her memory to the recreation center that she was often at. Some people aren't wealthy enough to donate when alive, but those who are.... then don't you think they have the right to control how they donate? Luckily there are people out there who do donate, or alot of people wouldn't have food, clothes, shelter, their lights on etc. BIG THANKS TO ALL THE GIVERS!!!