New school named after Ron Larson

MAT-SU - There were simply too many good men to honor the father of the Iditarod or a champion of education. But in the end, the Mat-Su school board chose to name the Valleys newest elementary school after former legislator Ron Larson.

During its last meeting, the board decided to go against a committee recommendation to name an under-construction elementary school after Joe Redington Sr.

Redington was a beloved Knik musher credited with building the Iditarod into the Last Great Race.

Several board members said the decision was one of the more difficult they have had to make while on the board.

This doesnt happen all the time . . . We dont build a school every year, Mike Chmielewski said.

In the end, all but member Dan Contini voted for naming the building after Larson. Bob Johnson was not present.

We need to honor and reward those who have made the commitment to education, said member Helene Antel Brooks.

Member John Fairfield agreed. And I think Ron Larson is a shining example, he said.

The board members said while Redington and his family deserve recognition for everything they have done for Alaska, the naming of a school should reflect the districts principles.

Were about education, member Linda Menard said.

Larson, a longtime Palmer resident, was a teacher and coach but is probably most remembered as a Democratic legislator who represented the Valley for 12 years. Those who knew him said he was a champion of education, always advocating for more support for schools.

It became clear that at least member Brooks vote was in part a political statement. She said she hoped naming the school after a legislator who fought for more school funding would send a message to the Valleys current representatives as to what they should be doing.

Despite their votes to name the school after Larson, however, board members expressed concern about offending the Redington family. And Chmielewski said he was uncomfortable with the process.

When the discussion first arose and Larsons name was suggested, the former legislator was still alive. According to some, the districts policy is not to name buildings after living people. Redington was considered as a possibility, as he had died last summer.

In February, however, Larson died from complications of Alzheimers disease and his name was brought back for consideration.

The naming committee, which included representatives from the district and community, said it was not comfortable with changing its recommendation, however.

We, as a committee, chose to honor a particular man and the passing of another man did not seem an appropriate reason to withdraw that honor, the committee wrote to the school board.

While board members said they understood the committees concern, Chmielewski questioned the original argument. He pointed out that the alternative school in Wasilla is named after retired principal Peter Burchell.

And last time I checked, Peter was alive, Chmielewski said.

Chmielewski suggested the district come up with clearer guidelines as to how buildings will be named in the future.

Larson Elementary School will be located on the same tract of land as Teeland Middle, on Seldon Road. Construction of the $7.7-million facility began earlier this year. The school is expected to open in fall 2001.