After receiving feedback from residents, parents, students and teachers, the Northside ISD board of trustees discussed a potential name change of Colonies North Elementary to honor a notable figure within the NISD community Feb. 24.
The gist
The discussion took place after an open house at Colonies North Elementary and after district officials received 617 survey responses, with 512 respondents against the renaming and 72 respondents for the name change. In light of the strong response against a potential name change, the board decided it would not take any action regarding the proposal.
District 7 trustee Karen Freeman said the decision not to take any further action aligns with NISD’s community-focused policies.
“I think one of the hallmarks of Northside is our community schools ... people identify that school as their school ... people want to stay at their school,” Freeman said. “I think we do need to listen to our community.”
District 4 trustee Robert Blount Jr. also emphasized the importance of listening to the Colonies North Elementary community when it comes to any potential changes to the name.
“If Colonies North says ... we don't want it renamed, I really suggest the board ... not go any further with [the name change],” Blount said.
Additionally, District 6 trustee Carol Harle pointed out that the name change, which would cost approximately $37,000, is an unnecessary expense.
“We are in a different economic time ... we are in a budget deficit, and so every dollar matters,” Harle said.
Board Vice President Sonia Jasso expressed concerns over the seemingly haphazard process for the name change and pushed for a clearer, defined process moving forward.
“I want to make sure that from here on out, whatever we put in our policy, we follow it,” Jasso said.
What’s next
The potential name change will only be brought back onto the agenda if board members request it to be placed on a future meeting agenda.
