Baltimore County School Board members voted to name the new northeast area elementary school Vincent Farm in honor of the historic family who once owned the property ? to the delight of descendants and longtime residents who pressed for the moniker.
The unanimous vote Tuesday night upheld what many officials and residents had assumed since county funds were entered into this year?s capital budget for Vincent Farm Elementary. Residents who said they refused to accept any other alternatives ? including White Marsh, Ebenezer and Bird River ? celebrated the news but called it a compromise.
“It identifies the community more so than the family,” Adam Paul said. “But we?re pleased.”
Members of the Northeast Area Advisory Council in September asked the school system to name the building White Marsh Elementary, surprising residents who presumed the school name would honor the family who was once the area?s largest employer.
When the council members petitioned the board to revert back to the Vincent proposal, school officials told them they traditionally don?t name buildings after people. School system officials did not return several phone calls seeking further explanation.
Paul and other Vincent Farm advocates dismissed the explanation, pointing to such schools as Oliver Beach Elementary ? named for the historic Oliver family ? in Middle River and General John Stricker Middle in Dundalk.
Board members went into Tuesday?s meeting with a recommendation of Windless Run ? a choice neither group wanted, they said.
“No one we know seems to like Windless Run, so we urge you to pick one of the two that are preferences of the community,” David Marks, chair of the area?s advisory council, told the board.
The school, which is slated to open in 2008, is expected to alleviate intense overcrowding at Chapel Hill Elementary School.
