In less than a week, two Lafayette Parish schools could have new names.

The item to rename N.P. Moss Preparatory and Plantation Elementary are on the agenda for next Wednesday’s board meeting. 

It’s a commendable effort by the school board to attempt to rename two LPSS schools after community members who have influenced the Hub City and the surrounding area with their life’s work.

The name Plantation Elementary has graced the marquee of the school on Kaliste Saloom since 1967.

Now, city leaders have a new name in mind to honor one of Lafayette’s fallen heroes in Corporal Michael Middlebrook.

Erick Knezeck, president of the Lafayette Parish School Board says, “He served our community and as far as I understand he was also a great role model. We had several students that knew him personally because he’s the type of community police officer that interacted with the children.”

Corporal Michael Middlebrook was killed on October 1st, 2017. 

Knezeck says during Middlebrook’s funeral procession, Plantation Elementary students lined the sidewalk in front of the school. That image planted the seed for a memorial in Middlebrook’s name.

“Ms. Morris (Dawn Morris, District 7 rep) had approached me about some interest in potentially renaming Plantation. It just seems like the perfect fit. Camellia, part of it, is known as a police memorial roadway so it seemed like a fitting tribute,” he explains.

Adrienne Middlebrook, wife of the late corporal said, “I’m happy and excited that the community is still looking for ways to honor my husband and keep his memory alive. The entire family is excited it is such an honor.”

As for what’s next, Knezeck says if the board approves the measure, the name change will be effective at that point. 

“Then we will go through the rebranding if it’s necessary to select a new mascot, colors, and stuff like that”, Knezeck notes.

Certainly not an afterthought, but the renaming of NP Moss on Mudd Avenue is also on the table.

The preparatory school could be named after the late Dr. Raphael Baranco.

The pillar of our community was Lafayette’s first black elected official as a school board member, he also practiced dentistry for more than half a century, also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.