PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles School District Superintendent Michelle Olsen reviewed the process, board policy and timeline for renaming Stevens Middle School for board directors.
“We’re considering a name change given that we’re building a new middle school on the current Stevens site,” Olsen said at Thursday night’s board meeting. “It will be a true middle school consisting of grades six, seven and eight.”
Olsen emphasized there are no additional costs associated with renaming the new school, which is funded by a $52.6 million, five-year capital levy that voters approved.
Construction started this summer, and the school is anticipated to open in 2028.
A committee composed of Stevens staff and students, the public and members of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe submitted a list of four proposed names to the board on June 12.
The committee weighed the cultural, geographical and symbolic relevance of names before choosing Hurricane Ridge Middle School, Riverstone Middle School, Elwha River Middle School and Port Angeles Middle School.
After students move into the new middle school, the current Stevens building that currently houses seventh and eighth grades will be demolished.
A second opportunity for public comment on the proposed names will take place at 5 p.m. Aug. 21 in room 208 at Lincoln Center, 905 W. Ninth St. Discussion and voting on the new name is expected to take place Sept. 25.
The public is encouraged to provide feedback, either during the public comment period at meetings or by emailing cmcdonald@portangelesschools.org. The school district has received about 20 responses so far.
Port Angeles resident Signe Charlier, who attended Stevens Middle School, spoke during Thursday’s meeting.
“I really want to encourage you to consider Port Angeles Middle School because it’s simple, everyone in the state will know where we are, and we should be proud of it,” she said.
School board directors chose the original name in honor of Isaac Stevens, the first territorial governor of Washington, according to a story in the Jan. 12, 1960, Port Angeles Evening News,. Other names considered at the time were (Thomas) Edison Junior High School after the inventor, (Jonas) Salk Junior High School after the medical researcher who developed a polio vaccine and (John) Marshall Junior High School after the longest-serving Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1801-1835).
The board will conduct special meetings next week to interview architecture firms for two new schools. Interviews for Franklin Elementary School will take place on Thursday. Interviews for Port Angeles High School will take place on Friday. Both meetings will start at 8 a.m. in room 208 at Lincoln Center. Both meetings are open to the public.
Voters in 2024 approved a 20-year, $140 million capital bond measure to repair and replace the district’s aging schools.
Meanwhile, school board directors unanimously approved the 2025-2026 district fee schedule. The only change from last year is a 25-cent increase in the price of a second breakfast or lunch. The first meal still will be provided free to all students.
________
Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached by email at paula.hunt@peninsuladailynews.com.
