Subject: Austin ISD Board to Consider Naming of the New Southwest Elementary School

Dear New Southwest Elementary School Community,

Thank you to everyone who submitted names to be considered for our new Southwest elementary school. Of over 50 submissions, over 20 names were determined to have met the naming criteria as outlined in Board Policy. 

I want to again thank the members of the Southwest School Naming Committee for their time and service during the four committee meetings. The committee carefully considered all name submissions and, in accordance with board board policy, recommended the following three unranked names along with rationale to the Board of Trustees, who make the final decision:

• Barbara Beyer Elementary School: The name honors a former well-known and highly respected AISD elementary school teacher of 22 years (1983 - 2005). Ms. Beyer’s final teaching assignment was at Oak Hill Elementary School prior to her untimely death at the age of 61.

• Bear Creek Elementary School: The name recognizes an actual creek in southwest Austin that runs just below the site of the new school. The Bridges at Bear Creek is also the name of a nearby neighborhood/subdivision.

• Lady Bird Elementary School: The name honors Lady Bird Johnson, the First Lady of the United States during the LBJ presidential administration (1963 - 1969). She was also lauded for spearheading the planting of wildflowers along Texas highways and the beautification of Town Lake–now Lady Bird Lake–and the surrounding walking/jogging trails in and near downtown Austin.

The Austin ISD Board of Trustees is scheduled to discuss and potentially vote on the naming of our new school on Monday, May 18. At that time, I will have the opportunity to explain our renaming process and the reasons behind the support for the above three names. You can watch the meeting on AISD.TV or on Facebook Live. Directions for signing up to address the board during public testimony can be found on the board website.

I thank you all for your continued support of our school community.

Sincerely, 

David Crissey

Principal, Southwest Elementary School