NORTH POLE, Alaska \u2014 Parents are urging the Fairbanks North Star Borough\u2019s school board not to change the name of their children\u2019s elementary school, although it bears the name of a strawberry farmer who was convicted of child rape in 1916.<\/p>\n
Parents, alumni and employees of Badger Road Elementary School argued against the change before board members Monday, The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n The school is named after a major road in the community, but is also tied to the late Harry Badger.<\/p>\n Board member Michael O\u2019Brien is considering bringing a motion before the board to strip the school of Badger\u2019s name.<\/p>\n \u201cI am not looking to rewrite history,\u201d O\u2019Brien said. \u201cTo me, there is a line somewhere. My personal belief is that a pedophile is on the other side of that line for an elementary school.\u201d<\/p>\n But those in favor of keeping the name say it represents the Badger Road community, as many students come from neighborhoods near the road.<\/p>\n \u201cWe identify with Badger Road,\u201d Cheri Renson said at Monday\u2019s public meeting. \u201cWe don\u2019t identify with the bad man who grew strawberries. I don\u2019t understand how changing something is going to be a positive impact.\u201d<\/p>\n Stephanie Thibedeau shared the same sentiment, saying the school name is more of \u201can area thing\u201d than a way to honor the strawberry farmer.<\/p>\n \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t change history \u2014 good, bad or ugly,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n While no one spoke up when board member Tom Bartels asked if anyone was in favor of the name change, O\u2019Brien said he has heard from people who support the move.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is this notion that it is never too late to do the right thing,\u201d O\u2019Brien said.<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Read more news:<\/strong><\/p>\n Mu\u00f1oz<\/span> outpaces Parish and rest of House in election fundraising<\/a><\/p>\n