In December, the board unanimously approved naming the Iola Roberts Elementary gymnasium in honor of Price, who served as the District 4 board member for more than 10 years and as chairman and vice chairman of the board on numerous occasions.
Schools Superintendent Dr. Bobby Hathcock announced that the official dedication ceremony of the gymnasium is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 18.
“Please mark your calendars for this dedication,” Hathcock said.
He said the elementary school will officially be named the “Mike Price Sr. Gymnasium.”
Iola Roberts principal Roy Bliss said workers will place the new lettering underneath the current lettering on the gymnasium in preparation of the dedication ceremony.
He said organizers are still in the planning phase for the actual program.
“We’ll try and make it a memorable occasion,” Bliss said. “We’re still in the planning stage.”
Gary Mozingo, facilities supervisor for the School System, said workers will place the lettering on the side of the gymnasium the week of April 8, and cover up the new sign for the official unveiling.
Board officials say it is appropriate to name the new gym after the late board member.
Board Chairman Norman Wilder said Price began his volunteer service with the School System when his children attended Iola Roberts, and Price served as a board member when the $3.24 million Iola Roberts project was approved by the board.
“He would be very proud of that facility as it stands today,” Wilder said at the December board meeting when the board unanimously approved naming the gym after Price. “It would bring a smile to his face to know the kids got a new facility.”
Price died unexpectedly May 6, 2011.
“He had a big heart for the school even before he was a board member,” Assistant Superintendent Michael Barber said.
Barber was principal at Iola Roberts when Price was a parent of children who attended the school.
School officials said Price made a difference in his community and with the School System.
“He’s so deserving of this,” Barber said.
Contact David Atchison at datchison@dailyhome.com.
