BOZEMAN – The Bozeman School Board has heard the community’s concerns about the naming of the new high school as Bozeman Westslope High School.
The board has decided to hold a special meeting next week.
The decision to hold a special meeting to discuss the name of high school two has come as a result of what the community has expressed.
“It’s been the feedback from the community. We don’t open a high school every year, so perhaps we could look at that process a little closer. The community has certainly been vocal on wanting more input,” Bozeman School Board Chair Andy Willett said.
The school board asked for suggestions from the community on what the name of the high school should be for a couple of weeks at the beginning of February.
Once the suggestion time frame closed, there were 170 names on the table.
Focus groups narrowed the names down and they were then brought to a committee of people in the community including parents, students, and many others.
Three finalist names were brought to the board.
“As a board, we felt very very respectful and confident with the names we received, that the community, in general, should like. Some folks are just disappointed their name wasn’t chosen,” Willett said.
“I think some have assumed it will be a cutthroat trout as the mascot and that is certainly not the case; this has been the name only. I think some people have just thought they’re not clear on what process has happened up until this point and it’s been a very good process, I feel,” he added.
At next week’s meeting, the board could decide to open the decision to the community to vote on. If the school board does decide to open this up for community vote, the community will only be able to choose from the three final names.
The board could also decide that it is sticking with its decision of naming the second high school Bozeman Westslope High School.
That meeting is at noon on Monday at the Willson Building, and the board is still open to hearing feedback. The email is: trustees@bsd7.org
Reporting by Emma Hamilton for MTN News
