On Monday, May 18, the Hart Public Schools Board of Education recognized Superintendent Mark Platt for his 13 years of service to the district. He was not only presented with a traditional retirement plaque, but was also told they would be naming the new Hart High School football field "Platt Field" in his honor.
To say Platt was surprised was an understatement. The announcement left him almost speechless. “Thank you very much. I barely know what to say,” Platt humbly shared as he processed what he’d just heard.
“Mark has had a major impact on our district. Not only has he been able to make positive changes to the district’s organization and culture, but also to our infrastructure,” School Board President Jeff Schaner said during the announcement. “The current bond effort will allow upgrades to every school building, and the overhauling of our football and track facility. While athletics is not the only reason we are here, they can highlight our school and give name recognition, which is great for the district. For all that Mark has done for Hart Public Schools during his time here, we have decided to name the football field ‘Platt Field’ in his honor.”
“The board briefly discussed some sort of name recognition for Platt during the superintendent interviews held in March, when Mark was not in attendance,” outgoing board member Chad Coker said. “We wanted something more longstanding than just a plaque. Naming the new football field in his honor seemed appropriate since he was so instrumental in curating the bond for it and because of his love for Hart football.”
The board would like to assure the community that the school’s athletic complex (football, track and ball fields), to be renovated following this fall’s football season, will remain the “Richard A. Hodges Athletic Complex," named in honor of Hodges when the facility was first built. Hodges, a former Hart teacher, president of the Hart School Board and Hart Athletic Boosters, was a huge fan and supporter of Hart Athletics.
