The Washoe County School District is asking the public’s help in naming a new elementary school planned in two years for the Spanish Springs area.
Submissions are open through Sept. 27. Nominations will go to the district’s School Naming Committee, which will narrow the list and submit several finalists to the Board of Trustees.
The 745-capacity, two-story school will serve students up through fifth grade and is scheduled to open in time for the 2020-21 school year, with a groundbreaking in spring 2019. The projected cost is $23 million.
It will be located at the junction of Windmill Farms and David Allen parkways in the Kiley Ranch area near Sky Ranch Middle School, which is expected to open this fall and serve sixth through eighth graders.
Plans state the new elementary school will have 28 classrooms: one science, technology, engineering, arts and math laboratory; three “hub” spaces for collaborative learning and projects; and drought-tolerant landscaping and a single point-of-entry. The energy-efficient design includes a geothermal heat exchange system.
The school is expected to relieve overcrowding at surrounding elementary schools, and provide capacity for this high-growth area.
Nomination forms ask submitters about the nominees’ role in education, how they impacted children and how they served the public. If suggesting a regional name, they’re asked to provide geographic significance. Committee members then rate each submission based on one’s role in education, impact, public service, history and geographical significance, and contributions to the community.
The 11-member naming committee is made up of one district representative selected by the superintendent, seven members of the public (one from each trustee district), one high school student, and two at-large members. Terms are staggered.
Funds for school construction are coming from last year’s 0.54 percent voter-approved sales tax increase. Such dollars can go only toward construction of and refurbishing of facilities. This money cannot be used for teacher or administrator salaries or other school operations.
For more information or to submit a name, visit
https://www.washoeschools.net/cms/module/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=386
