KANNAPOLIS — The planned renaming of a city street in honor of one of the community’s late well-known and loved educational leaders was tabled at Monday night’s city council meeting.

More than two months ago, Mayor Pro Tem Doug Wilson had made a motion to rename C Street after Milton Taylor, a Black teacher and school administrator whose legacy is well known in Kannapolis, and the members of the council seemed in agreement.

“I think it’s entirely appropriate to name the street that passes in front of the school after a man who made such contributions to our education system,” said Wilson at the time. He chose C Street because it is the home of George Washington Carver Elementary School, and Taylor spent his career at for former George Washington Carver School before it became Kannapolis Middle School.

According to Taylor’s obituary from 2017, he graduated from W. A. Pattillo High School, where he was a member of the NCHSAC State Championship football team. Taylor got his undergraduate degree from Fayetteville State University, where he had dual scholarships in football and baseball. He earned his master’s degree in education from NC A&T State University in Greensboro, and an Advanced Certificate in Education Administration from the Principal’s Executive Program at UNC-Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill.

In 1958, he joined the Kannapolis City School system, where he served as a public educator for over 30 years. He started as a seventh grade teacher and coach at George Washington Carver School, “where he was instrumental in leading the school to three district championships.” Taylor was promoted in 1965 to principal of the school, which is now Kannapolis Middle School, where he spent the remainder of his career.

At the meeting Monday, a notice that had been sent out to all affected property owners, including the notice of a public hearing, was presented at the meeting.

A resolution had been drafted, stating the following: “Milton Taylor served as a distinguished public figure in the Kannapolis community for over thirty years having served in many civic and professional roles. (He) was best known as a teacher and administrator for the Kannapolis city school system, having retired as a principal of George Washington Carver School (now Kannapolis Middle School), being admired and loved by students and teachers alike. During his early years, he excelled in sports and education having received a college scholarship in both football and baseball and by earning a Master’s Degree in Education at North Carolina A&T University. (He) served in many community and educational institutions, including Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the Optimist Club, North Carolina Association of Educators and as president of the Kannapolis Rotary Club. Mr. Taylor was a friend and inspiration to all with intellectual prowess, a quick wit, easy smile and energetic demeanor.

“In grateful memory of Mr. Taylor’s many contributions to the wellbeing and betterment of our citizens, the city council for city of Kannapolis does hereby honor and memorialize Milton Taylor’s good works by renaming East C Street to Milton Taylor Street as a lasting tribute to and for his service to the greater Kannapolis community.”

But before the council could hold the hearing, council member Jean Dixon asked if the issue could be tabled. She said family members of Taylor wanted to talk with the council before any decision was made.

Michelle Taylor, Milton Taylor’s daughter, did not speak at the meeting and when reached by phone, said she would need to speak with the rest of her family before making any comment but did say the reason for the request is not anything negative.

The council does not meet again until Nov. 25, so the issue is tabled until at least that day. It is unclear if the public hearing will be added to that agenda.