The DEN—an acronym for discover, explore and navigate—will be the name used to refer to both of the centers, according to a presentation during the meeting.
In a nutshell
MISD broke ground on the centers last April, Community Impact previously reported. Both the centers are set to be a combined 189,000 square feet and open in time for the 2025-26 school year.
The centers are part of the district’s $326.9 million 2022 bond, according to prior reporting.
How we got here
The process of naming the buildings began in January when a committee was formed, Chief of Staff Justin Marino said during a presentation at the March 18 meeting. The committee met Feb. 20, a survey was open for MISD staff and parents from Feb. 21-March 2 and the committee’s second meeting was on March 6.
The committee was made up of parents, students, district-level employees, campus principals, members of the board bond sub-committee, assistant principals, and CTE teachers, Marino said.
“The names of the two buildings that we’re recommending reflect the feedback in the survey,” Marino said. “Those were the two most recommended names in our community survey.”
Marino also said a majority of the committee voted for the names that were ultimately approved by the board.
Quotes of note
- “We appreciate the committee’s work in selecting these names,” Trustee Nate Robb said via a March 19 news release. “They carefully evaluated criteria, including community input, historical significance, and industry relevance. After reviewing submissions, they recommended names that are clear, timeless, and aligned with our district’s vision and values.”
- “These two innovative facilities will unite Bears and Lions from both high schools, and we love the strong identity of ‘The DEN,’” Trustee Eddie Winn said via news release. “Through hands-on experiences, students will discover opportunities, explore careers in high-demand fields, and connect with industry professionals to navigate their futures.”
