During Tuesday’s Conroe ISD board meeting, trustees voted to name the district’s new elementary school after Lucille Bradley, a longtime educator in CISD who passed away in 2014 at age 100. The board also voted to name the new high school, which is expected to open in time for the 2018-19 school year, Grand Oaks High School after The Grand Parkway and the Imperial Oaks subdivision. “This is enjoyable, and we appreciate all of the input that the community gave us,” CISD board member Skeeter Hubert said. “This process, although it’s new to several of us, is not easy. We would love to have more schools and everybody’s name on here, but unfortunately that’s not going to be the case. Just because a name is not picked, doesn’t mean that we don’t think it’s worthy of the name of the schools.” Although the board decided fairly easily on the geographically-named Grand Oaks High School, there was some deliberation about the new elementary school’s name. “When I did hear Lucille Bradley and had an opportunity to look up her obituary and learn a bit more about her, I was kind of taken aback of the accomplishments that she had and the contributions she made, the way she lived her life and that time period that she lived,” Hubert said. “That was a tough time period. I like her name, and I like the message. I think that would be very honorable to recognize someone of her caliber and accomplishment.” Bradley, an African-American woman who was born in 1913, was in her early 40s during the Civil Rights Movement. “I think that Mrs. Bradley is most deserving of this,” CISD board member Datren Williams said. “The years that she served during the time in which she served—you just can’t speak enough praises to someone who served that many years.” Another suggested name for the elementary school that was debated by the board members was Kathy Clark, a 37-year employee who was formerly a principal and now works for the district part-time. “After carefully considering the list and in consideration of Mrs. Bradley, who I knew and have a lot of respect for, I had settled with Kathy Clark myself, knowing her widespread service to the district from an administrative and a principal level and the number of years served,” board president John Husbands said. A topic brought up during the debate was whether people should have a school named after them if they are still serving the district. “I have utmost respect for Mrs. Clark and admiration for all that she’s done with the district,” Williams said. “My only concern is she’s still an employee of the district.” Clark is retired from full-time employment with the district. Other schools, such as Jean Stewart Elementary, have been named after employees who shifted to part-time employment with CISD. “I’m still in Kathy Clark’s corner,” Bush said. “I’ll support what the majority wants. I do like being able to have Mr. Kaufman show up to things on [Kaufman Elementary School’s] campus. It’s nice when I’ve gone to things on campus and the person the school’s named after has a connection with those kids.” Lucille Bradley Elementary School is expected to be open in August 2017 in time for the new school year.