Public input wanted for naming of new school

PALMER -- The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District is looking for people interested in choosing names for the new Wasilla-area elementary school, the nutrition services center and the career and technical education high school, also known as the vocational education high school. As site selection for these new buildings comes to an end -- so far the Mat-Su Borough has decided that the elementary school will be located along North Wasilla Fishhook and the career and technical education high school will be near Teeland Middle School -- the district is looking for community input for names of the new facilities.

"We're far enough along in the process to put together an ad hoc naming committee," said district public information specialist Kim Floyd, who will facilitate the committee. "This is a fun committee, it won't take a lot of time but will definitely take some thought and a commitment to have our schools represent our history and our future."

While the school board has the final authority on the names, the facility naming committee will brainstorm ideas for the board to choose from, which could range from area names to that of people who have had an influence on Valley history.

"In the past, if you look at our elementary schools, we have many named for areas," Floyd said. "More recently, we have schools named for people."

The school board recently passed a resolution allowing sites to be named for either living or deceased individuals.

Anyone interested in being a part of the facility naming committee can contact Floyd at 746-9251. The deadline is April 9.