KANNAPOLIS — The planned renaming of a city street in honor of one of the community’s best-known and beloved 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 council members seemed to agree.

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

According to Taylor’s 2017 obituary, he graduated from WA Pattillo High School, where he was a member of the NCHSAC State Championship football team. Taylor received his undergraduate degree from Fayetteville State University, where he was dual-scholarship 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 educational 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 began 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 what is now Kannapolis Middle School, where he spent the rest of his career.

At Monday’s meeting, a notice was presented at the meeting that was sent to all affected property owners, including the public hearing notice.

A resolution was drafted, stating the following: “Milton Taylor has served as a distinguished public figure in the Kannapolis community for over thirty years in many civic and professional roles. (He) was best known as a teacher and administrator for the Kannapolis city school system, retiring as principal of George Washington Carver School (now Kannapolis Middle School), admired and loved by students and teachers alike. In his early years, he excelled in sports and education, receiving a college scholarship in both football and baseball and earning a master’s degree in education at North Carolina A&T University. (He) has served in many community and educational institutions, including Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the Optimist Club, the 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, an easy smile and an energetic demeanor.

“In grateful remembrance of Mr. Taylor’s many contributions to the welfare and betterment of our citizens, the city council of Kannapolis hereby honors and commemorates the good works of Milton Taylor by renaming East C Street to Milton Taylor Street as a lasting tribute to and service to the greater Kannapolis community.”

But before the board could hold the hearing, board member Jean Dixon asked if the matter could be tabled. She said Taylor’s family members wanted to talk to 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 have to speak with the rest of her family before making any comment, but said the reason for the request was not something negative.

The council doesn’t meet again until Nov. 25, so the matter is tabled until at least that day. It is unclear if the public hearing will be added to the agenda.