Washington Middle School principal presents community‑led process to rename cafeteria and tech arts hallway
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Summary
Principal Bonnie Hoshka presented the advisory committee's naming recommendations to the Olympia School District board for two Washington Middle School spaces honoring long‑serving staff; the board took the proposal under advisement and said it would schedule action later in the summer
Bonnie Hoshka, principal of Washington Middle School, told the Olympia School District Board of Directors Thursday that a nine‑member advisory committee followed Board Policy 6970 to propose names for two spaces at the school: the cafeteria and the tech/arts hallway.
Hoshka said the committee formed after two long‑serving staff members retired: Paul Anders (19 years at WMS) and Brian "Brian Morris" (39 years at WMS). The committee solicited written name suggestions and rationale statements, held two public hearings (in person and on Zoom), and narrowed options to two proposals for each space.
Proposed names presented to the board included: - Cafeteria area: Paul Anders Cafeteria (or Anders Cafe as an alternative naming option) - Tech/Arts hallway: Morris Arts and Tech Hall (or Morris Tech and Arts Hall as alternate wording)
Hoshka said the committee confirmed proposed names had no obvious negative connotations and followed the district's renaming procedure. Board members praised the community process and asked Hoshka to share committee materials with the full board; the board took the item under consideration for possible action later in the summer.
Why it matters: The item reflects local community recognition practices and the board's required procedural role for renaming school facilities under Policy 6970.
Ending: Hoshka said the school hopes to invite the honorees back in the fall for a formal unveiling if the board approves the names.