School Gets 'F' For History: District Gets Former President's Name Wrong On School

OGDEN, Utah (AP) _ The Ogden School District needs a big eraser. <br/><br/>After naming a new school ``James A. Madison Elementary School'' in May, a history teacher pointed out this month that

Thursday, August 16th 2007, 8:59 pm

By: News On 6

OGDEN, Utah (AP) _ The Ogden School District needs a big eraser.

After naming a new school ``James A. Madison Elementary School'' in May, a history teacher pointed out this month that the fourth president of the United States didn't have a middle initial.

``I'm blindsided,'' school board member John Gullo said. ``I hate being embarrassed.''

Gullo heads the American Dream Foundation, which donated a large painting of the former president to the school. An accompanying plaque does not have the mystery initial.

Word of the mistake reached superintendent Noel Zabriskie, who verified it and called the company that was making a sign for the new school. The call came in time for the error to be fixed on the sign. It is set to be installed Friday.

Some school letterheads will need to be replaced.

The board voted May 23 to approve the school name as ``James A. Madison.'' The majority of board members chose Madison because the school borders Madison Avenue. Several board members also said they feel James Madison was a great president.