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Board presented recommendation to name consolidated 18–22 program 'SoWashCo Headwaters Life Skills Program'
Summary
District staff recommended the name SoWashCo Headwaters Life Skills Program for the new consolidated 18–22 transition program building opening fall 2026, following a steering committee ranked-choice process; the board will consider the recommendation at a business meeting later this month.
Cottage Grove, Minn. — The board received a recommendation on April 9 to name the district’s new consolidated 18–22 transition program "SoWashCo Headwaters Life Skills Program." Staff described a multi-stage naming process that involved program staff, communications, and a steering committee.
Megan Hickey, executive director of student support services, said staff intentionally avoided naming the program after a person and excluded terms such as "center" or "academy" to keep the name plain and inclusive. Program administrator Nikki Lock described the recommended name as reflecting local geography ("between two rivers") and the program’s emphasis on growth, adaptability and outdoor learning space. "We would be very excited for our united school student community to come together in our new building as a SoWashCo Headwaters Life Skills Program," Lock said.
The steering committee narrowed almost 75 initial ideas to four finalists, used mood boards and a ranked-choice vote, and will include students and staff in subsequent logo and branding work. The name will be brought to the board for a formal decision at an upcoming business meeting at the end of April.
Next steps: Staff will solicit any board feedback, finalize materials with students and staff, and present the naming item for action at the scheduled business meeting.
