INDEPENDENCE — The Independence USD 446 Board of Education encourages community members, students and school personnel to offer their naming suggestions for the new Independence elementary school.

The 71,000-square foot attendance center, to be built at 13th and Mulberry streets, will serve all Independence public school students in grades three through five.  Construction is scheduled to begin in early November.

District officials hope to have the new building ready for occupancy in the fall of 2011.  Students who are currently in grades first, second and third will be the first to occupy the new school.

Official “school naming” suggestion forms are available at all five Independence public school buildings and the USD 445 Board of Education Office located at 517 N. 10th.  Suggestions can also be submitted by following the school name suggestion link at www.indyschools.com.

In addition, submission forms can be obtained at the following downtown locations:  Neewollah Headquarters, 223 North Penn; the Independence Public Library, 220 E. Maple; the Independence Chamber of Commerce, 322 N. Penn, and Daylight Donuts, 110 E. Laurel.

Completed suggestions forms can be deposited in the collection boxes provided at any of the schools or downtown locations listed above.  The forms can also be mailed to:  USD 446 Board of Education Office, P.O. Drawer 487, Independence, KS  67301.

Anyone with questions regarding the school naming process should contact Washington Principal Debbie Toomey at (620) 332-1875, or Lincoln Principal Rick Boyer at (620) 332-1847.

School board policy says schools may be named for presidents, statesmen, and heroes of national fame, military battles, community and/or civic leaders, community locations, and national and/or local educators.

“In selecting names,” the policy states, “special consideration will be given to those names that will have special meaning to students and citizens and will enhance the education and moral and spiritual values of the particular school.”

The deadline for submitting school name suggestions will be Dec. 1, 2009.  A school naming committee appointed by the Board of Education will then review the suggestions and make recommendations to the board.

The school board’s goal is to officially select a name for the new elementary school in December 2009 or January 2010.