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Southside Elementary renaming committee submits four ranked options; student input favors geographic name
Summary
A community naming committee recommended four ranked names for the new Southside Elementary School building and reported student responses favoring a geographic option; the board will vote Feb. 24.
The Southside Elementary renaming committee delivered four ranked name recommendations to the Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education, and staff said student feedback so far favors a geographically themed option.
Committee chair Greg Jones told the board the panel reviewed more nominations for this school than in prior naming processes and pursued a set of guiding principles that the final name be "fresh today and relevant tomorrow" and reflect a "best start" culture for the school.
The committee ranked its top four options in order: 1) Southside Community School; 2) Ada Deer; 3) Lori Mankiewicz; and 4) 9 Springs (a local geographic name). Jones said the committee considered names tied to individuals and to place and that student input was part of their deliberations.
"The number of proposals submitted for the renaming of this school suggests the community was highly engaged," Jones said, and he thanked communications staff for outreach and students who provided classroom‑level input.
District staff reported about 33 student responses collected so far. Students in grades K–2 recorded class‑level input while grades 3–5 responded individually; early results showed 9 Springs as the top pick among the students who had responded. The communications office said it will provide a full public‑input report before the board's scheduled vote.
Board members asked about outreach to nearby and neighborhood families, and staff said they would follow up. The board did not vote on a name at the Instruction Work Group meeting; board materials show the renaming will go to the regular meeting on Feb. 24 for a formal vote.
Community members who served on the committee, and district staff who supported the process, told the board they would be available to answer questions as the board considers each ranked option. Jones and co‑member Barb Osborne said they would provide any additional materials the board requests before the formal vote.
The board acknowledged the committee's work and asked staff to return a full summary of public input, disaggregated by grade and stakeholder group, prior to the Feb. 24 vote.
No formal action was taken on renaming at this meeting.
