KANNAPOLIS – The planned renaming of a city street in honor of one of the community’s well-known and beloved late educational leaders was introduced at Monday night’s city council meeting.

More than two months ago, Mayor Pro Tem Doug Wilson had introduced a motion to rename C Street in honor of Milton Taylor, a black teacher and school administrator whose legacy is well known in Kannapolis, and council members seemed to agree. agreement.

“I think it is entirely appropriate to name the street that runs in front of the school after a man who made such contributions to our educational system,” Wilson said at the time. He chose C Street because it is the home of George Washington Carver Elementary School, and Taylor spent his career at the former George Washington Carver School before it became Kannapolis High School.

According to Taylor’s 2017 obituary, he graduated from WA Pattillo High School, where he was a member of the NCHSAC state championship football team. Taylor earned his undergraduate degree from Fayetteville State University, where he earned two scholarships in football and baseball. He earned his master’s degree in education from NC A&T State University in Greensboro and an Advanced Certificate in Educational Administration from the Principal’s Executive Program at UNC-Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill.

In 1958, he joined the Kannapolis City School system, where he worked as a public educator for more than 30 years. He began as a seventh-grade teacher and coach at George Washington Carver School, “where he was instrumental in leading the school to three district championships.” Taylor was promoted in 1965 to principal of the school, now Kannapolis Middle School, where he spent the rest of his career.

At Monday’s meeting, a notice that had been sent to all affected property owners, including notice of a public hearing, was presented at the meeting.

A resolution had been drafted that read as follows: “Milton Taylor was a distinguished public figure in the Kannapolis community for over thirty years and served in many civic and professional roles. (He) was best known as a teacher and administrator in the Kannapolis City School system, having retired as principal of George Washington Carver School (now Kannapolis High School), being admired and loved by students and teachers alike. During his early years, he excelled in sports and education, having received a college scholarship in both football and baseball and earning a Master’s Degree in Education from North Carolina A&T University. (He) served in many community and educational institutions, including the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the Optimist Club, the North Carolina Association of Educators, and as president of the Rotary Club of Kannapolis. Mr. Taylor was a friend and inspiration to all with intellectual prowess, quick wit, easy smile and energetic demeanor.

“In grateful memory of Mr. Taylor’s many contributions to the welfare and improvement of our citizens, the City Council of the City of Kannapolis honors and commemorates the good works of Milton Taylor by renaming East C Street to Milton Taylor Street as a lasting tribute and service to the greater Kannapolis community.”

But before the council could hold the hearing, council member Jean Dixon asked if the item could be tabled. He said Taylor’s relatives wanted to speak to the council before making any decisions.

Michelle Taylor, Milton Taylor’s daughter, did not speak at the meeting and when reached by phone, said she would need to talk to the rest of her family before making any comments, but said the reason for the request is nothing negative.

The council will not meet again until November 25, so the issue is postponed until at least that day. It’s unclear if the public hearing will be added to that agenda.