Where do kids learn more about history, in a school named after Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th president of the United States, or in one named after a sea cow or a tree?

A New York-based public policy organization says the answer is Hayes, and that people should be worried about all the schools named after trees and other innocuous things.

Brian Kisida, a political scientist at the University of Arkansas, says everyone should care about the names of public school buildings because, as the trend shifts toward schools named after landscape features, streets or subdivisions, another generation loses a chance to learn lessons.

A school named after a person can provide a teaching moment and lead to classroom discussions about character traits, values and history, Kisida said.

He is one of three authors of "What's in a Name? The Decline in the Civic Mission of School Names," a report published today by the Center for Civic Innovation.

"Is a creek really more important than the accomplishments of a Thomas Jefferson or a George Washington? I don't think so," Kisida said.

The center studied the naming trends of public schools in seven states. Ohio could do better, the center said in rating it behind Minnesota, New Jersey and Wisconsin.

Analyzing Ohio Department of Education data, Kisida found that 7.4 percent of Ohio's public schools honor presidents. Among schools built before 1947, it was more than 10 percent. About 1.9 percent honor the country's founding fathers, but more than 13 percent honor nature.

School leaders seem to choose the path of least resistance and don't spend their political capital anymore on choosing what could be a controversial name, Kisida said.

In Ohio, for example, we really like our rivers. Buildings across the state are named after mad rivers and black rivers and rocky rivers and, of course, the Scioto River.

Public education leaders must be fond of trees, too, with school names that give a nod to the mighty oak, the maple and, quite copiously, the buckeye. They don't ignore creeks, either. They consistently honor big creeks and bell creeks, walnut creeks and Indian creeks, even apple creeks.

Florida, apparently, really likes its sea creatures.

The authors took particular exception to the Sunshine State and its 11 schools named for the manatee (compared to five that bear George Washington's name): "In Florida, the sea cow trumps the father of our country."

The study sounds like a lot of baloney to some central Ohio school officials.

Olentangy will open Liberty Tree Elementary this fall. It will join Oak Creek, Scioto Ridge and Tyler Run. The district has a longstanding policy against naming buildings after people, said spokeswoman Carole Dorn Bell.

Such a practice can end up hurting feelings when someone thinks one family's accomplishments are more meritorious than another, she said.

The district instead honors local history or landmarks, when possible.

Other districts, such as Hilliard and Delaware, name many buildings after people. Though Delaware does have Rutherford B. Hayes High School, in honor of its native son, both districts often opt instead for former board members and superintendents.

"We want the connection to be local," said spokeswoman Michelle Wray. They also want the connection to be dead.

An already-established legacy, with no chance of scandal, could get a building named for you.

"The district doesn't want to be in the position of defending the name if it is sullied," Wray said.

Any name is a good one, but presidents are best, Kisida said. For that, the city of Marion gets a big gold star.

The city has Harrison Elementary (named for Benjamin, the 23rd president), Grant Middle School, Taft Elementary and a high school named for Warren G. Harding, the former Marion Star newspaper publisher who became president. Other buildings bear the names Garfield, Hayes and McKinley.

Missing is William Henry Harrison, Benjamin's grandfather. Maybe the ninth president didn't warrant a namesake; after all, he served only a month in office.

But his fans must not worry, for William Henry Harrison High School stands tall in Hamilton County.

hzachariah@dispatch.com