Updated: The San Marcos CISD board of trustees voted to name the new SMCISD elementary school Rodriguez Elementary School during its meeting May 21.

Originally the board of trustees unanimously voted to name the new school Solia Rodriguez Elementary School. However, a family representative asked if it would be possible to name certain parts of school after Carlos Rodriguez or Velia R. Cavazos since they were all a part of the same family.

After debate and vote to reconsider naming the school after the whole family, it was decided 4-3 to name the school Rodriguez Elementary School.

The new elementary school is expected to be complete by summer 2019 in the Trace development near Posey Road and I-35. It will be funded using $30 million from the district’s $107.3 million bond approved by voters in May.

Original: Committee recommends 3 names for new San Marcos CISD elementary school

A committee chosen by the San Marcos CISD board of trustees submitted its recommended names for the new elementary school, which will be under construction starting in June, on April 16 during the board of trustees meeting.

The committee of seven people chose three names from a list of 18 submitted through 127 applications over a month: Velia R. Cavazos, Carlos Rodriguez and Solia Rodriguez.

Applicants were required to list what the nominated person's achievements was and how he or she made an impact on the community.

According to the anonymous applications, Carlos Rodriguez is a 1948 San Marcos High School graduate and a U.S. military veteran who went on to teach at Texas State University, where he eventually became the director of bilingual education. He retired in 2001.

The applicant called him "one of the first pioneers to bring bilingual education to San Marcos CISD," adding he taught many of the Texas State students that eventually went on to teach at SMCISD. At Texas State, he began the Bilingual Education Student Organization and was a sponsor of the Texas Association for Bilingual Education for more than 30 years.

Cavazos, a San Marcos native, was nominated for her impact as a counselor at Goodnight Junior High School—now Goodnight Middle School—over 22 years.

"Velia R. Cavazos embodied persistence in a world where civil rights were somewhat slow to come to places like San Marcos," the applicant wrote.

Lifelong educator Solia Rodriguez was the third submitted name. She taught at San Marcos High School, was promoted to assistant principal during her time there, and finished her career at the Lamar School, where she served as principal for 10 years before retiring.

"Many students would approach her years later and thank her for her support, encouragement and assistance in securing scholarships and student loans," the applicant wrote in the impact statement. "To her, it did not matter what color your skin was, your background, your wealth, your status."

Spokesperson Andrew Fernandez said the board of trustees will likely vote on the new school name at its May board meeting.

The new elementary school is expected to be complete by summer 2019 in the Trace development near Posey Road and I-35. It will be funded using $30 million from the district’s $107.3 million bond approved by voters in May.