SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (KMTR) -- Springfield Public Schools (SPS) is looking for your help naming one of its old schools that will reopen next year with a brand new purpose.
SPS has begun a naming contest for the building currently known as Springfield Middle School.
The middle school closed down at the end of last school year in Spring 2011, due to budget cuts. Crews are working now to revamp the school to usher in around 450 elementary school students from Brattain and Moffitt Elementary Schools come Fall 2012.
Right now, kids at both schools are researching local history and making suggestions to the district as part of the school renaming process.
But the district also wants to hear from the public.
SPS opened up the naming contest to the public on Tuesday, November 1st, 2011. Three days later, more than 40 people had already submitted their ideas.
“The best way to give your idea a good shot is to give a strong rational and tell us why you think it's a good idea and a good fit for Springfield, and a good fit for this neighborhood and this school,” says Jeff DeFranco, a spokesman for Springfield Public Schools.
“I think it's a great opportunity maybe to say hey my name is actually the one that got selected here at the end of this process,” says DeFranco.
The naming committee will select its top three ideas that are kid friendly, historically significant, culturally sensitive, strong, snappy and prideful.
The naming contest is open to the public through November 30th, 2011. Ultimately, the Springfield School Board will have the final decision about the school’s new name.
January 23rd, 2011, the district’s naming committee will recommend three names to the school board. The district is hoping the board makes a decision on February 13th, 2011.
To submit your idea online, click the following link: http://www.sps.lane.edu/sps/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=279198.
The last time Springfield Public Schools went to the public for a naming process was circa 1997 and the naming of Agnes Stewart Middle School and Riverbend Elementary.
As for the future of Moffitt Elementary, the district’s facilities committee has recommended that the building be demolished. Brattain Elementary will remain standing and used for other district purposes.
