Newton School Board Considers Elementary School Renaming

Superintendent to provide cost estimates and renaming process options.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 2:57pm

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The Newton School Board has asked Superintendent Tom Messinger to gather more information on the cost and process to potentially rename Thomas Jefferson and Aurora Heights Elementary schools. The main reason cited for the renaming is to recognize the district's transition to a two elementary building structure next school year.

Why it matters

School name changes can be controversial, with some community members opposing the costs and administrative burden, while others see it as an opportunity to better reflect the district's values and changing demographics. The school board is weighing these considerations as they decide whether to move forward with the renaming.

The details

During a recent school board meeting, Superintendent Messinger said the board would need to determine a renaming process and provide a few different options. School Board Member Donna Cook expressed opposition to changing the school names, while Board Member Travis Padgett wants to know the associated costs. Other board members indicated they would be against name changes if it involved significant administrative time. Within the next month, Superintendent Messinger will provide the school board with a general cost estimate and an overview of the potential renaming process.

  • The Newton School Board discussed the potential renaming during their Monday night meeting.
  • Superintendent Messinger is to provide more information to the board within the next month.

The players

Tom Messinger

The superintendent of the Newton school district.

Donna Cook

A member of the Newton School Board who expressed opposition to renaming the schools.

Travis Padgett

A member of the Newton School Board who wants to know the costs associated with renaming the schools.

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What they’re saying

“I would like to know what your thoughts on it are, because if there is interest in that, we would need to determine a process. We would come up with a couple of different options for you on what that process would look like and what the steps would be.”

— Tom Messinger, Superintendent

What’s next

Within the next month, Superintendent Messinger is to give the school board a general cost estimate and idea on how the process for selecting new names would work.

The takeaway

The Newton School Board is carefully considering the potential costs, administrative burden, and community sentiment around renaming two elementary schools, as they weigh whether to move forward with the process.