Why we won't know potential names for Sioux Falls' new northwest elementary until April

Morgan Matzen, Sioux Falls Argus Leader
·2 min read

Sioux Falls School District officials won’t be releasing the list of possible school names they've received from community members just yet for the new elementary school to be built on the northwest side of the city by George McGovern Middle School.

The school, which is planned to open in the fall 2025, is set to be named by a committee that will meet in March and tentatively report to the school board by April, according to a response to an open records request for the names files by the Argus Leader, following a district survey that ran Jan. 8-22 for the public to submit possible names.

District in-house counsel Brett Arenz said the district requires more time to create a finalized recommendation, and the finalized summary with an explanation of the survey results will be shared when it becomes a public record.

“All submitted names will be carefully considered and we look forward to keeping the community informed about the progress of the new school,” community relations coordinator DeeAnn Konrad said Jan. 25.

A rendering of the new northwest side elementary school to open in the Sioux Falls School District by Aug. 2025.
A rendering of the new northwest side elementary school to open in the Sioux Falls School District by Aug. 2025.

School naming is done by a committee of parents, teachers, administrators, a school board member, community members and students. The name for the school shall be selected from the following categories and withstand the test of time, according to board policy:

  • Presidents of the United States

  • Persons who have achieved distinction in such fields as art, literature, music, education or science

  • Individuals who have made a significant contribution to society

  • Location of the school, its street, or direction

  • Famous event or location

The committee shall make a recommendation to the board at a regular board meeting for the name of the school. A mascot is set to be chosen for the school the year it opens, which is slated for 2025.

At this time, the district is also narrowing down boundary alternatives and is set to post those alternatives for feedback via Let’s Talk, a feature on the district’s website, and through community engagement sessions. Boundaries are likely to involve Renberg, Hawthorne and Hayward Elementary Schools, according to a work session presentation from Sept. 6, 2023.

In June, boundary considerations will be provided to the school board, which will finalize new boundaries and any special programming at the school prior to July 1, according to the Sept. 6 work session presentation.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Names for Sioux Falls' newest school to come in April