Pearce Middle School, the Young Women's Leadership Academy, could have a new name by the start of the 2014–15 school year.

At a March 17 work session, the Austin ISD board of trustees discussed the timeline for possibly renaming the school, which will open in August as an all-girls academy along with Gus Garcia Middle School, which will be an all-boys school.

Pearce Middle School, located at 6401 N. Hampton Drive, was named for James E. Pearce, who was the principal of Austin High School from 1895-1917. The board can rename a facility if it has been more than 50 years since the official naming of school or if the building is repurposed or has a programming change, according to AISD. The board approved changing Pearce to a single-sex school on Dec. 16, 2013.

Trustee Jayme Mathias noted the board talked about the possible renaming of the school at a board dialogue meeting held before spring break.

"In recognizing what it is that James E. Pearce did for our community, did for Austin High all those years, two weeks ago at our board dialogue I made the suggestion that we somehow dedicate this as the Young Women's Leadership Academy—under whoever's name—at the James E. Pearce campus to be able to honor his memory," he said.

This is a common practice in AISD. For example, the former Johnston High School was renamed Eastside Memorial High School at the Johnston campus. According to board policy, if the school is renamed, the district should determine an appropriate use of the former name before the change is made.

Trustee Cheryl Bradley, who was a strong supporter of the transition of Pearce and Garcia to the single-sex schools model, said she would not support Mathias' suggestion.

AISD began the renaming process March 6 with an official kickoff and email announcements including an online nomination form, Chief Schools Officer Paul Cruz told the board. Community members have until March 20 to submit nominations.

After reviewing the feedback, the board is slated to take action April 28 on a new name.

More information is available at www.austinisd.org/naming.