D-11 looks to rename John Adams Elementary after renovations
District 11 wants to rename John Adams Elementary after the school completes an $8 million renovation project during the summer.
“We want to provide children in that area with a state-of-the-art facility. Something that is going to be brand new and give them inspiration,” said Devra Ashby, District 11 director of communications.
The board of the region’s largest school district voted unanimously in February to close Helen Hunt Elementary at the end of this school year.
“It was very old and outdated and the money required to update it would have been unfeasible for the district,” said Ashby.
The 400 students at Helen Hunt Elementary would move 2 miles to the new Adams Elementary later this fall.
A naming committee was created last month to gather suggestions from the community and submit them to the board.
Prospect Elementary, Journey Elementary and Jesse Owens Elementary are the top names submitted to the board by students of Helen Hunt Elementary.
“They thought the location of Prospect Lake was good because it was geographically between Hunt and Adams Elementary and would tie those two communities together,” said Ashby.
The district has received more than 20 submissions from parents and interested people.
The school is named after the second U.S. president. Some would like to keep the name the same, John Adams Elementary.
“Why change it? It’s been that way. They’re reopening John Adams; no need to change the name,” said Tammy Estergard.
Others feel a change wouldn’t hurt.
“I love the idea of a new name, that’s going to be great,” said Joe Wells.
The names of former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway and fallen UCCS Officer Garett Swasey were also submitted. Under board policy, living individuals aren’t considered and a person must be deceased for more than five years. However, the board can overrule that. The board can also vote to keep the name the same.
District 11 will hold a public forum from 6 to 7 p.m. April 7 at 917 E. Moreno Ave., in the Helen Hunt gymnasium, to learn about the process, hear all the names suggested and find out the next steps.
