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Renaming committee narrows General Smallwood Middle School options; board asks for more historically rooted alternatives
Summary
A renaming committee recommended geographic names (Potomac Ridge, West Side, West Charles). The board asked the committee to revisit its 41-name submission list and return with three additional, including historically rooted person-name options, for April consideration.
The renaming committee for General Smallwood Middle School recommended three geographic name options—Potomac Ridge Middle School, West Side Middle School and West Charles Middle School—at a board presentation on March 11, and the Board of Education asked the committee to revisit its submitted list to return with additional options by late March.
Committee chair Jenica Urban and principal Orlina Wadley told the board the committee considered 41 submissions (27 people, 11 place names, 3 other suggestions), did background research and decided to emphasize geographic names because the committee believed a place-based name would be most inclusive for a diverse student population. “When every student walks through that school, what will they connect to?” Urban said, explaining the committee’s focus on names that would resonate across the school’s demographic mix.
The committee reported survey results from staff and students: among staff respondents Potomac Ridge was the top choice; student responses favored West Side, with Potomac Ridge second. Urban said students and staff cited community connection and local geography when explaining their preferences. The committee also held a virtual public meeting and collected additional email input, Urban said.
Several board members and community representatives urged the committee to reconsider some historical person-name options that the committee had initially set aside. Board members asked for additional community input and for the committee to return with three alternatives drawn from its original submissions—not newly invented names—by the board’s work session. Chair Morley and the board also asked the committee to review feedback collected by two district board members who represent the affected area, and to be prepared to provide context behind the top choices.
Superintendent Navarro said the board’s April 28 work session would be an appropriate venue for the committee to present additional options and that the district needs time to make signage, facility-change plans and other preparations if the board approves a new name.
The board and committee agreed on a revised timetable: the committee will review its prior list and bring additional options and supporting research to the board at a March work session or the April 28 meeting, and the board said community comment would be accepted before a final vote.
