MMSD renaming committee begins Chavez Elementary scoring after 224 submissions; 73 names advance

MADISON, Wis. — The Madison Metropolitan School District citizens naming committee met July 1 to begin the accelerated process of renaming Chavez Elementary, review ethics and scoring procedures, and assign homework for members to score candidate names ahead of a public hearing and board consideration.

In opening remarks, associate superintendent Chelsea Tubs told committee members the meeting was being recorded for later public posting and reviewed meeting norms and legal requirements. Tubs told the committee, "there were 240 people who submitted names to rename Chavez," and said her initial screening produced "224 submissions" that were then reduced to 76 and finally to 73 names that qualify for scoring.

Why it matters: The committee’s selection will shape the school’s public identity and curriculum references; finalists will go to a public hearing before the committee and ultimately be forwarded to the MMSD Board for consideration in August. Tubs described an accelerated calendar that aims to deliver finalists to the board by early August so the district can finalize names before the school year.

Committee composition and roles Janet Figurero, the committee chair, opened the meeting and led roll call. Members who introduced themselves included Chavez staff and parents: Basa Sonni identified herself as a school social worker at Chavez; Heather Keler said she teaches kindergarten at Chavez; Nate Curley said he is the school's full-time art teacher; and several parents and PTO representatives described personal and community reasons for joining the process.

Research support and public comment Gail Martinson, who the committee described as the primary researcher, said she has compiled biographical and primary-source materials for many candidates and that she will provide additional research on request. "What I try to do is there often times I'll include a researcher's note," Martinson said, describing the kinds of sources committee members may consult.

Tubs summarized written public input: 19 written statements had been submitted about Chavez by the public, all in favor of changing the school's name, and 17 of those explicitly supported a proposal for "Robert G. Sanchez Elementary School." Tubs said a recently proposed local candidate, Michael Johnson, could not be included under the district's current policy but could be considered in later school naming cycles.

Scoring, confidentiality and timeline The committee walked through a two-part rubric committee members will use to score each proposal: one score assesses recognition and basic requirements and a second score assesses the name’s connection to the Madison community and its educational value. Tubs emphasized that individual rubric scores are confidential and that staff will aggregate scores to identify names that "rise to the top." She described a process in which an initial batch of names is scored, committee discussion flags names for further research or debate, then a larger set advances into a public hearing where the community may comment before the committee selects up to four names to forward to the board.

Tubs assigned homework deadlines: members should complete scoring for up to 35 names by 9 a.m. on Monday July 13 and finish all 73 names by 9 a.m. on Monday July 20. The committee plans a public hearing period in late July and to forward finalists for board review in early August, with final board action tentatively scheduled for later in August.

Votes and procedural actions The committee approved the meeting agenda by voice vote with no opposition after a motion and second. At the end of the session, Nate Curley moved to adjourn; the motion was seconded and the meeting concluded at 7:46 p.m.

What’s next Committee members will use the district’s online form to submit two rubric scores for each proposal and may flag names that require additional research or discussion. Staff said they will provide research packets on request and circulate a summary spreadsheet of each member’s scores for their review. The committee will reconvene as scheduled to discuss flagged names and the aggregated results prior to the public hearing.