Residents Annoyed by Street Name Change at Sandy Springs Middle School

There’s a lot in a name. Just ask Principal Kay Walker or residents who live nearby in the Carroll Manor subdivision.

During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, members approved a street name change where the middle school is located. The school address will soon change from Colonel Drive to Pride Place.

Walker told Council members that Colonel Drive came from the former Crestwood High School, which was torn down in the 1980s.

“Our school motto is Producing Responsible Individuals Determined to –Pride,” she said. “That is part of everything that we do at our school. Pride Place is much more indicative of what happens on that street. It gives our school a presence.”

The name “Colonel Drive” is problematic for mail delivery and folks who get confused over the spelling.

Although Carroll Manor subdivision is not located on Colonel Drive, Rick Venable with the subdivision’s homeowners association, said residents are concerned about potential problems for GPS tracking devices, mail and package deliveries and emergency vehicles, because of the street name change.

“The request was made to the school without regard to us,” Venable said. “Who is going to bear the cost to replace the street signs? Will it be the school? Will it be the taxpayers?"

The school will pay for the name change and the post office will recognize both the new name and the old name for one year, according to city staff.

For some Carroll Manor residents “Pride Place” is as confusing as “Colonel Drive,” said William Landolina. Residents wondered if it referred to gay pride, a platitude or one of the seven deadly sins, he said.

During the meeting, Councilmember Dianne Fries read an email from a resident who was comfortable with the name change after she understood the school motto.

Principal Walker expects the name change to boost student morale. “It would help them become more connected to their school. And I really believe it would generate some excitement and possibly improve our perception in the community,” she said.