Board starts discussion on new school name

It’s time to play “name that school.”

The school board is tackling the job of naming the district’s new K-12 facility by passing the process off to Superintendent Dr. Dennis Carlson.

But it’s all according to Hoyle.

The board policy calls for district buildings to be named after persons who have attained national or local prominence in the field of education, arts and sciences, politics, military achievements and statesmanship; after U.S. presidents or Washington national senators or representatives or after the geographic characteristics of the area in which the facility is located.

Sensing that this could be a hot potato, and given the convenient procedural part of the policy, the ball for naming the overall complex and the two educational wings, K-6 and 7-12, falls in the superintendent’s court.

Procedures call for Carlson to name a committee to work up at least three names and not more than five for the new school.

It was offered that the facility might have an overall name, and the two wings named separately to help people find their way when they visit the school.

Guidelines for the committee include that the names must be known and significant to members of the community and not conflict with other schools in the area. Naming after living persons should be avoided unless the circumstances warrant otherwise.

The committee can solicit help from members of the community. When the name list is complete it will be submitted to the board for selection.

The process was started at Monday night’s board meeting. Carlson was not available Tuesday for comment.