The South Butler County School Board has slightly delayed a vote on a proposal praised by the Eagle earlier this year that aims to initiate forward-thinking changes in the district.

And that’s a good thing.

In March, school district Superintendent David Foley proposed changing the district’s name from South Butler County to Knoch School District, a move that also would add the word “Knoch” to the primary and intermediate elementary schools.

The board planned to vote on the proposal at its Wednesday meeting, but ended up tabling it until Dec. 11. And for good reason.

Board member Debra Miller had a great idea when she proposed the vote be held off until December to allow the three newly elected school board members to have their say on the matter.

This should not be perceived as a slight to outgoing board members. Since the concept of renaming Knoch schools is about moving forward, it’s fitting the district’s new board should be the one to cast votes on the proposal.

Following some recent contentious incidents involving county school boards — from Butler Area School Board’s discouragement of members from using social media to communicate with the public about board-related business to a Mars Area School Board race earlier this month that was marred by accusations of mudslinging — South Butler’s initiative is a good example of how to make positive changes for a school district.

The road to South Butler’s proposal was marked by past negativity. Morale was low last year following a bitter negotiation breakdown and teachers strike, during which some parents criticized teachers’ demands, while teachers noted they had worked for years without a contract or raises.

And earlier this year, an 18-year-old Knoch High School student was arrested after an online post was viewed as a threat against the district.

So, the South Butler proposal is a good idea to overcome what had become a toxic culture in the district.

Foley considers the name change a fresh start — he calls it a “new coat of paint” — to “move past some of the challenges we’ve had in this district for decades.”

While a name change alone won’t solve the district’s problems — Foley has rightly said the district’s academic programs are the top priority — it’s a good start.

The name change would have to be voted on in the state Legislature, and Foley said there would be a “significant public relations campaign” to get the word out. We wish the district luck in this endeavor.