How does a new Clarksville-Montgomery County school get named? Here's an explainer
For the third year in a row, the Clarksville-Montgomery County School district is preparing to open a new school this fall. Next year, the district plans to open another one. It'll be its 26th elementary school.
The 26th school has yet to be named.
So, how does the district decide how to name its schools?
Ultimately, it's up to the school board, but before a decision is made, members hear recommendations from the community.
The district's recommendations
CMCCS Chief Operations Officer Norm Brumblay and his team conducted research by looking at historical maps with preferred locations around District 3.
The list of suggestions included communities, landmarks, farm names and historic school names.
The group settled on a name and presented it to the school board: Freedom Valley Elementary.
According to CMCSS chief communication officer Anthony Johnson, the name recommendation represents the legacy and patriotism of Fort Campbell.
With the future elementary school being in close proximity to the military base and about 30% of the student population being military-connected, the district wanted to pay tribute to the military community, without honoring just one specific person, military unity or element, he said.
At the same time, the name needed to be distinct enough that it wasn't confused with the schools at Fort Campbell, so "Fort Campbell Elementary School" was out.
The "Freedom" part of the name was a focus on Fort Campbell community and the important role Fort Campbell has played in multiple combat missions including Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Freedom's Sentinel.
"Valley" was based on the geography of Clarksville and the symbolic meaning of valleys.
Clarksville has the Cumberland and Red Rivers flowing near the city, making it a significant transportation hub, and Fort Campbell has one of the largest remaining native grasslands east of the Mississippi River.
From a symbolic standpoint, valleys can symbolize both perseverance and abundance and fertility.
"The unwavering perseverance and indomitable grit of our military exemplify their relentless commitment to safeguarding the freedoms we hold dear, ensuring not only our security but also the stability of our economy," Johnson also explained.
Board votes 'no' on name district recommendation
But, when it was presented at the Feb. 20 school board meeting by Schools Director Jean Luna-Vedder, the name did not pass muster.
Although it was meant to be seen as a way to honor the military and its partnership with the local community, the name was voted down because it was too similar to another name, one belonging to an exclusive campground for adults.
"I cannot support the name that was brought forth due to the research that I did," said Carol Berry, of District 1. "The name is not one I think would reflect one of our schools."
Berry also said she disagreed with how the name was selected, believing it should have been a different process.
Community suggestions
As the naming of the new school has become a hot topic, community members have also sought to give their two cents.
Some have gone as far as to appear before the board to recommend the names of some of Clarksville's most notable residents, like Wilma Rudolph and Jimmy Terry Senior.
During the March study session, school board members were told there was nothing in their policies stopping them from naming schools after community members, opening the door for some of those recommendations.
The vote for a school name will be back on an upcoming CMCSS agenda, but it is unclear when at this time.
Kenya Anderson is a reporter for The Leaf-Chronicle. She can be contacted at kanderson@gannett.com or on X at kenyaanderson32. Sign up for the Leaf-Chronicle to support local journalism at www.theleafchronicle.com.
This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: How do Clarksville-Montgomery County schools get named?
