Trustees vote to rename stadium, set public hearing

By Melissa McCaghren

Slatonite GM

The Slaton Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 4-1 to rename Tiger Stadium to the Blake D. Boyd Memorial Stadium Tuesday evening (Aug. 8) during its monthly meeting.

Peoples Bank came to SISD proposing to sponsor the sign for 10 years, renaming it and updating all signage with the name. The plan is $175,000 for the stadium and an additional $24,284.23 for updating signage.

Board President Carlos Bentancourt voted against the renaming with Trustees Irma Jaramillo and Greg Schilling absent.

Bentancourt said his vote had nothing to do with Boyd, saying he was an “awesome guy,” but about sentimentality. “I think I speak for hundreds if not a few thousand football players, band marchers, band people, students who marched on that field, that directed on that field, that coached on that field who (left) blood, sweat and tears on that field that has sentimental value,” he said. “In my heart and in my opinion, it should, at some time go to somebody who has poured their life into that football stadium.

Bentancourt also had a concern this opened a “can of worms” that said the school was for sale.

The board also approved setting a public hearing for the tax rate for Aug. 31 at 7 a.m. Financial officer Art Martin said this was done every year when adopting the budget and tax rate.

For more information, including other items discussed by the Board, please read the Thursday edition of The Slatonite.