Named in His Honor, Covered in His Disgrace

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By Chelsea Kopta

Summary

Teacher William Pickerel worked for so many years at Kennewick High, they named the school annex in his honor. But that proud moniker is now covered up, after police arrested the 72-year-old for sex crimes with a teen.

Story Published: Nov 1, 2007 at 5:49 PM PST

Named in His Honor, Covered in His Disgrace
KENNEWICK -- Teacher William Pickerel worked for so many years at Kennewick High, they named the school annex in his honor.

But that proud moniker is now covered up, after police arrested the 72-year-old for sex crimes with a teen.

It's not much to look at.

A discrete, white covering hides a dozen letters on the school annex.

In fact, if you don't look closely, you might not even notice the words Pickerel Hall are no longer there.

"It's a very difficult situation and understanding that there has been some wrong doing," representative for Kennewick School District Lorraine Cooper said. "The lettering, the site of it, is upsetting to some, so we've decided to cover it."

School leaders just came to their decision Wednesday night.

They said it's only temporary and admit it's not a flawless fix.

But they told Action New, the community is concerned, and the school can't ignore that.

"I was like 'whoa! why? ' it was shocking too," Kennewick high senior Jalessa Garcia said.

"With them covering his name...that's not cool," Kennewick high junior Mandy Purdin said.

School leaders said discussion sparked right away about what to do with the hall, named in honor of Bill Pickerel after he retired.

People in the community called the school right away.

Emotions were heated: both to keep the letters and to cut them.

"I don't think it's fair they covered up the hall cause they named it after him for being here so long," Garcia said.

"I think it's a little too soon cause it could be unfair," Purdin said. "I really think they should wait."

After all , Pickerel's has only been charged, not convicted.

But once the allegations broke, the school was bombarded with calls of concern from people in the community.

And the school maintains, Pickerel admitted to wrongdoing with a youngster.

"It is upsetting and concerning for them, that is serves as a reminder and therefore we're reacting to that," Cooper said.

School leaders said the sign over the lettering will* stay there pending the outcome of Pickerel's trial.

But staff wouldn't say what the plan would be if he's found guilty.

Pickerel is set to have a hearing in a couple weeks.

In the meantime, Seattle police told Action News they are still investigating the teacher for multiple sex crimes on the west side.

They have not brought forward any claims to the King County prosecutor yet.