To Brad Tiedemann, it will always be Roosevelt. He is so adamant about it, that he is starting a petition drive to have the name of Lincoln School changed back to Roosevelt School.
Mason City Schools Superintendent Anita Micich and the Mason City School District changed the name of Roosevelt Middle School to Lincoln Intermediate School starting this school year. To Mr. Tiedemann, that flies in the face of the heritage of Mason City. “It was Roosevelt when the new building opened, it’s the Roosevelt campus, now they change it out of the blue. We would like it changed back to its rightful name, Roosevelt.”
The reasons for changing the name of the school have never been very clear. Micich once said she had the name changed to Lincoln because “people were too confused when they came looking for either Roosevelt Middle School or Roosevelt Elementary. They didn’t know where to go.” Micich did not reply to an email from NorthIowaToday.com seeking comment.
One ex-Roosevelt Middle School student said “Changing the name is bull$#!|. This person isn’t even from Mason City, she comes in here and tears down more of our history. And if she thinks people are too dumb to figure out which school is which, well then what about when the two schools were connected, for decades? We got along just fine back then.”
If you would like to help Mr. Tiedemann’s cause and help give Roosevelt School back it’s rightful name, download the petition here. Print the petition and have others sign it, and then mail to:
Brad Tiedemann
1810 S. Hampshire Ave.
Mason City, Iowa 50401|
