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Kotora auditorium has nice ring for graduates
(by Sue Reid - January 04, 2012)
Kotora auditorium has nice ring for graduates
By SUE REID
Solon High School graduates seeking to honor their late Principal E. James Kotora plan to make a formal appeal Jan. 9 to the Solon Board of Education.
Solon resident Mike Cook, who approached the city in the fall with some classmates, asking to consider renaming Inwood Road in Mr. Kotora's honor, said he will instead ask the board's blessings to rename the Solon High School auditorium.
"We will formally introduce the idea, but we're not sure if they'll act on it," Mr. Cook said of the board. "I do think they are all on board though."
School Superintendent Joseph V. Regano said Tuesday that, although officials are not making any promises, he has felt all along that the auditorium would be a better avenue for a tribute, because it is in the school district's "sphere of control." The high school is located on Inwood Road, which is a city-owned street.
Mr. Cook, a 1989 graduate, said hopes are to have a naming ceremony sometime this winter or spring to make it official.
"We're pleased with this alternative," he said of naming the auditorium instead of renaming Inwood Road. "At the end of the day, it's about honoring Mr. Kotora." Mr. Cook said the Kotora family favors the idea, and the graduates believe their former principal himself "would get a kick out of it."
"I think it's a good tribute to a good man, and we're pleased with it and to have it come to a resolution," Mr. Cook said.
Mr. Kotora, who served as Solon High School principal from 1972 to 1994, died last February after being injured in a fall. Dubbed a "student's principal" he was credited for bridging the gap between the 1970s and 1990s, Mr. Regano said, which culminated in Solon High School being named a National Blue Ribbon School.
Mr. Cook said that, since plans were discussed to honor Mr. Kotora, the support has been incredible. "Everyone has been on board, and a lot of people have sent letters, made phone calls and sent emails," he said.
"Everyone's been excited about the prospect of doing this, and all the elected officials from the city and school board have been friendly and supportive," Mr. Cook said. "It's not official until we see the name on the auditorium, but, as far as I can tell, we can take one step closer to finalizing that on Monday."
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