City names two new schools

 

By JEFF GILL
The Times

Westside and New Holland elementary schools are the newest additions to Gainesville City Schools.

The city Board of Education voted Monday night to name the schools.

Westside is at McEver Extension and Spring Road. New Holland is at Jesse Jewell Parkway and Barn Street near the New Holland community.

The board members offered no comments before the votes.

They voted after Elfreda McRae, a school system spokeswoman and future New Holland principal, said the system had received five suggestions from the public during a 30-day period.

"It was not an overwhelming response," she said.

The schools are set to open in 2003-04.

Superintendent Steven Ballowe has said New Holland may not be opened on time. In that event, students could be housed at nearby Fair Street Elementary.

In other business, the board:

 

  • Heard from Bonnie Oliver, who complained that seniors will have to pay a $32 sitting fee to have their picture taken and put in the yearbook. She said she believes the practice is "totally unfair and inequitable."

    Ballowe said he would look into the matter and report back to the board.

     

  • Recognized the Gainesville High School boys baseball team, which won the state AAA championship earlier this year.

     

  • Presented plaques to the system's 2002-03 teachers of the year: Sonya Barrett of Gainesville High, Bertha Shields of Enota, Margot Mickle of Centennial, Kim Davis of Fair Street and Renee Morris of Gainesville Middle.

    For winning system teacher of the year, Barrett also received $500.

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    Elfreda McRae