Phoenix-Talent School Board Supports Keeping District Name The Same

The Phoenix-Talent school board is weighing in on the possibility of changing the district’s name. In a press release issued Monday morning, the board is supporting the idea of keeping the current name. The names proposed as alternatives to the current name are Rogue South Schools, South Valley Schools, South Rogue Valley Schools, and South Rogue Schools.

The Phoenix- Talent School District is losing over 50 students to the Ashland School District as the latter has elected to accept open enrollment. One thought behind the name change is the idea of the district being more inclusive  of the multiple communities within the district boundaries. According to the press release, the school board maintains that retaining the present Phoenix- Talent name has always been an option.

Board Chair Craig Prewitt says the board recognizes the passionate response received from the community, including alumni and current students. Prewitt describes an “enormous” response. According to a Medford Mail Tribune article, one Phoenix High graduate had gathered nearly a thousand signatures on a petition asking the school board to abandon consideration the name change.

Votes had been scheduled to take place at Phoenix High School on Wednesday the 16th  and at Talent Middle School on Thursday the 17th.