Milton residents outraged over possible name change at HOB

A public notice seeking suggestions to name a new elementary in Milton has the family of H.O. Brittingham in shock.

“Our family is sick over this. He was such an amazing man,” said Ken Brittingham, a grandson of H.O. Brittingham, whose name has graced the school since it was built in 1965.

Brittingham said he plans to attend the school board meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 27, at Mariner Middle School.

“If they are truly thinking about changing the name, it would be a travesty,” he said.

Dozens of similar comments erupted on Facebook after a public notice ran in the July 25 edition of The Cape Gazette with the headline “Help name our new elementary school.”

Jessica Tyndall, vice president of the Cape Henlopen school board who also serves as the Milton representative on the board, said the public notice was published as part of district policy.

“I have no intention of not voting for it to be HOB,” she said.

Board policy on naming school facilities was created in 1998 and last revised in 2014. Tyndall posted a copy of board policy, a copy of the public notice that ran in the Cape Gazette and the school board agenda for July 27 on her Facebook page, Cape Henlopen School District Board Member Area A – Jessica A. Tyndall.

She said she welcomes residents to attend the meeting and share their concerns during citizen's participation.

“I think communication is key to everything,” she said.  

Superintendent Robert Fulton could not be reached for comment.