A list of 25 potential names for a new elementary school in Spanish Springs was narrowed to 10 names on Wednesday by a Washoe County School District committee.
The 11-member School 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.
After reviewing suggestions received during the submission period in the latter half of September, the committee agreed to let the following school names move forward: Marce Herz, Session “Buck” Wheeler, Elizabeth Morris, Evelyn Mount, Artemisia, Kiley Ranch, Desert Valley, John Bohach, Michael Landsberry, Ann Carlson and Debbie Smith.
The naming committee is scheduled to meet next on Nov. 7 and again Dec. 5. Typically a list of three finalists are forwarded to the district’s board of trustees, which makes a final decision on the name.
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 estimated at $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 in fall 2019 and serve sixth through eighth graders.
The school is expected to relieve overcrowding at surrounding elementary schools, and provide capacity for this high-growth area.
HELP FURNISH NEW SCHOOLS
The school district is also asking for the public’s help in picking new elementary school furniture. Those interested in providing feedback can bring their children to try out new student desks and chairs and provide feedback on a form. The furniture evaluation is scheduled from 2 to 6 p.m. at the following elementary schools:
- Oct. 15 at Double Diamond, 1200 South Meadows Pkwy.
- Oct. 16 at Stead, 10580 Stead Blvd.
- Oct. 17 at Verdi, 250 Bridge St.
- Oct. 18 at Maxwell, 2300 Rock Blvd., Sparks
- Oct. 19 at Sepulveda, 5075 Ion Drive, Sparks
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.
