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Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tina McGovern 415-749-3600 ext. 19, outreach@gatewayhigh.org
Building renamed for legendary citizen Burl Toler
November 16th, 2006
On Sunday, October 22, 2006 The San Francisco Unified School District formally renamed 1430 Scott Street Burl Toler Campus.
Mr. Toler is a well known beloved figure in San Francisco. He was the first African American to hold an administrative position in the San Francisco Unified School District, as an Assistant Principal then Principal of Ben Franklin Middle School.
Mr. Toler's extended family joined over 300 friends, neighbors and Bay Area luminaries to honor Mr. Toler's accomplishments at the renaming ceremony. The program included speakers from Gateway High School including principal Sharon Olken, KIPP's Nick Carlson, SFUSD interim Superintendent Gwen Chan, and District Five Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi. Each of Mr. Toler's children spoke in glowing terms of their dad as the audience heard stories of his football days at the University of San Francisco as a member of the undefeated 1951 team, his days as the first African American NFL Referee including his stint in four Super Bowl games, and some of the many honors bestowed upon him during his lifetime.
Mr. Toler's grandson Burl Toler III presented his grandfather with a plaque that included a framed picture of the new Burl Toler Campus entrance engraved with the date that SFUSD honored him with the renaming.
The tile picture created by Mr. Joseph Norris, Kid Serve muralist and a group of our ninth grade students sat on the stage iin front of the lectern throughout the program. The picture will be installed in the main hallway of Gateway High.
Kudos to board member and educator Joyce McMinn for her organization of a very memorable event for Mr. Toler and Gateway!
For further information, contact Development Director Tina McGovern tmcgovern@gatewayhigh.org
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