St. Paul magnet school might be renamed for Obama

Webster School
Webster Magnet School, in St. Paul, might be renamed "Barack and Michelle Obama Service Learning Elementary School." Students, parents and staff will vote between that option and "Webster Service Learning Elementary."
MPR photo/Tom Weber

A St. Paul magnet school is considering renaming itself after President and First Lady Obama.

Leaders at Webster Magnet School say they want their name change to reflect the school's renewed focus on teaching students about community service.

One name being considered is the "Barack and Michelle Obama Service Learning Elementary School." The other option is to call it "Webster Service Learning Elementary."

One school in New York has already renamed itself after the President. But Principal Lori Simon says she thinks Webster is the first Minnesota school to consider it.

"I did a survey with staff and our parents to find out if there enough support to even consider looking at a name other than webster," Simon said, in an interview. "77% of my staff indicated some level of support and 85% of parents did."

Webster will now let students, staff and parents formally vote between the two choices. The winning name will be forwarded to the St. Paul School Board, which gets the final say on school name changes.

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