The Crenshaw County Board of Education approved the naming of Luverne High School’s gym in honor of Sammy Carr at last week’s meeting.

The naming of the gym was suggested at a previous board meeting by former principal Jim Head, and current principal Chuck Alford recommended the action to the board in a letter.

In the letter, Alford cited Carr’s long-term impact on Luverne High School and the school system.

“I think it’s a great thing,” said board member Steve Sanders. “It’s very fitting because we know he’s been instrumental throughout the whole system. I think it’ll be well-received in the community, and it’s a great thing to see happen.”

The naming of facilities in the school systems has a precedent as the basketball court in Brantley is named after multiple championship-winning coach Tony Stallworth.

The board unanimously approved naming the gym the “Samuel M. Carr Gymnasium,” and planning for an official ceremony was started.

In other business, chief financial officer Ken Wesley reported that the school system’s $1.5 million cash balance is up slightly over last month, even with the reduction in state funds.

The system has 2.1 months of operating reserves.

The board officially adopted a policy on the use of automated electronic defibrillators (AED), and another policy concerning bus emissions that says there will not be any uneccessary idling of busses due to asthma concerns.

The board also clarified the wording in its credit recovery policy.

Superintendent Randy Wilkes also said that the problem of fighting in the schools is being looked at.

“Are we doing everything we can to stop fighting?” he asked. “We’ve got to show that there are other ways of resolving problems than rolling your sleeves up. It’s concerning to me as a parent and as an employee.”

Wilkes also pointed out that students will have to meet all requirements to participate in graduation exercises.

“Beginning with 2011, students have to pass all their classes and the Alabama High School Graduation Exam, or their individual education plans in the case of special education,” he said.

The policy also mentions “other activities” besides graduation, and Wilkes said he reads that as baccalaureate and class day or “any other kid of school-sponsored thing where graduates would be recognized.”

That policy was adopted in 2008 and went into full effect this year.