The possibility of renaming Kanopolis Middle School surfaced Monday night at the Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo School Board meeting.

“When you look at what a middle school is, it is traditionally (grades) 6-8,” said principal Kristy Rodriguez. While the grades in the building have

While the grades in the building have fluctuated over the years, the 2022-23 school year will welcome fourth grade to the building, joining fifth and sixth grades.

“It’s an intermediate stage between K-3 and middle school,” she said. “Do we continue to be called middle school, or do we went to be called an intermediate school? I think it’s more age appropriate.”

“I would strongly suggest, because the school is in Kanopolis, we name it the Kanopolis Intermediate School,” board member Darin Holecek said. Board member Jake Svaty asked

Board member Jake Svaty asked about the cost associated with a name change. Rodriguez said the school has envelopes printed, but not stationery.

“The sign needs redone,” board member Gina McGowan said. “If the sign needs redone, now is the perfect time to talk about it.”

The school’s identity was a hot topic. “Are you talking about getting rid of

“Are you talking about getting rid of the Bulldogs?” Svaty said. “Will you call it Bearcats? Bearkittens?

“I don’t think you want to lose the identity of Kanopolis.”

Holecek said the mascot should remain untouched.

“Let’s just face the facts, it hasn’t been a middle school for 10 years,” he said.

The board opted to table any decision regarding the school’s name. This will allow Rodriguez time to gather more feedback from families and the community.