In a special called on Friday, the Normandy School District unanimously voted to name the district’s new elementary school, “Obama Elementary School”. The school, which is under construction in the City of Pine Lawn, is expected to be completed in late fall. Students and staff will move into the building in January after the district’s winter break.

“We selected ‘Obama’ not only because he is the first African-American U.S. President, but because he represents fairness, provides inspiration and is a prime example of being anything and all that you can be,” said Cozy W. Marks, III, the board’s president. “These qualities represent everything our district stands for. This is what we want and feel for our students – with dedication, commitment and hard work, they can be anything they want to be.” Marks went on to say the name was also chosen for President Obama’s strong push for educational reform.

Students from Pine Lawn and Garfield Elementary Schools, the two schools that will close upon completion of Obama Elementary, were polled as to what name they would suggest for the new school. They overwhelmingly suggested Barack Obama. Their suggestion and those solicited from other students, parents and community members were provided to the Board of Education. The board narrowed their selections with Obama Elementary School as the victorious name.

Having a school named after a U.S. president is not new in the Normandy School District. Washington, Garfield and Jefferson Elementary Schools bear the names of U.S. presidents. Lincoln and Harrison Elementary Schools, which are no longer operating as educational sites, were also named after U.S. presidents. The Normandy School District is the first school in Missouri to name a school in honor of the current president.

In April 2008, voters approved a $23 million, no-tax increase bond issue that led the way to building Obama Elementary School. The 65,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility will house up to 400 students in grades kindergarten through sixth. Based on the community school concept, the new school is designed to provide inviting and highly accessible community spaces including a cafetorium, library, gymnasium, computer lab and several meeting rooms.