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As part of Austin ISD's quest to find a name for its new elementary school on 17 acres in North Austin, the board of trustees met March 4 and discussed potentially making some changes to the district's school naming policy.
"Every year, there's something else that we discover that could make our naming policy just a little bit better," Superintendent Meria Carstarphen said, adding: "We do have to work within the policy we have."
Earlier this year, AISD asked the public to suggest names for the new north central elementary school, which is currently being built at 102. E. Rundberg Lane to alleviate overcrowding in North Austin schools.
Trustee Ann Teich, who represents North Austin residents, said a petition was being circulated for support for a nomination to name the school after Army Cpl. Juan P. Navarro. Navarro grew up in North Austin and graduated from Lanier High School in 2007. Navarro was killed July 7 in Afghanistan, according to the U.S. Department of Defense website.
At the work session, Teich explained the group supporting that nomination dropped its efforts because of the district policy's eligibility stipulation that the building's namesake either must be living or must have been deceased for at least 18 months prior to the nomination. She asked if the district could amend that policy.
Trustee Robert Schneider said he would be sympathetic to such a motion. Trustee Cheryl Bradley added the policy does not include any specific exceptions for naming facilities for military personnel, and the board could consider that amendment as well.
"They are serving our country, and they're there to protect us," Bradley said. "I see it as an honor, and I believe we should honor them as well as we possibly can."
The board did not take any action during the work session, but it is scheduled to vote on the names at its March 18 meeting.
Construction began on the school in August, and once completed, the site will be a 98,000-square-foot, 40-classroom facility designed to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, Silver certified, according to the district's website. For additional details, visit the AISD naming page at www.austinisd.org/naming/upcoming.
Additional reporting by Amy Denney.
