Naming committee recommends 'South Marion High School' for new south-end high school

The Marion County School Board heard a recommendation on Aug. 21 that the district's new south-end high school be named South Marion High School. The naming committee’s recommendation — which mirrored results from a community survey — will be placed on the board agenda for a vote on Sept. 9.

The naming committee process was summarized by school-district staffer Ms. Kynard, who told the board that the committee solicited name suggestions in an initial survey that produced 151 responses representing 83 different names. A second, community-wide survey drew 406 responses. Kynard said, “When duplicate categories are combined, the breakdown of the respondents are as follows. 63.5% parents, 27% Marion County Public School employees, 7.9% community members, and 1.6% students.” Kynard said the top vote-getter in survey two was South Marion High, with 35.2% of responses.

The committee then ranked finalists and ultimately recommended the same option as the public survey: South Marion High School. Kynard said, “The naming committee's recommendation for a school name for high school CCC is South Marion High School.” The board’s chair, Lori Conrad, opened discussion and board members expressed informal support. Board member Dr. James said the geography-based name “makes sense” after comparing local high-school naming patterns; Dr. Campbell said she researched statewide use and found no other South Marion High School in Florida.

Principal McAteer, who joined staff in presenting the item, said the school will begin soliciting student input on a mascot and colors and expects to have a nickname and mascot by mid-October to meet ordering timelines for band and athletic uniforms. McAteer told the board that the mascot and colors must be chosen earlier than elementary-school naming because of procurement and lead times for uniforms and facility branding.

No formal board action was taken at the work session; the staff recommendation will be placed on the Sept. 9 regular meeting agenda for a formal vote.

The district’s timeline calls for the board vote on the name on Sept. 9 and subsequent work on mascot, colors and branding before the school's opening next August.

The decision follows a community-engagement process described by staff and includes two public surveys and input from a naming committee that included parents, community members and educators. The board will finalize the name through its usual agenda and public-vote process.