By Wendy Gragg

Tribune-Herald staff writer

Waco school officials have decided to name the district’s new elementary school J.H. Hines after the school that stands at the site where the new East Waco campus is being built.

The name of the new school has been up in the air for months, but Waco Independent School District trustees put the matter to rest at their Thursday night meeting with a 5-1 vote. Trustee Sammy Smith opposed, and trustee Larry Perez was absent. Smith said he would rather see the new school take a name that combined Hines and Miller.

The new school will combine the student bodies of the current J.H. Hines and Doris Miller elementary schools. The school board also voted Thursday for the new school to take the mascot and colors of Doris Miller Elementary School.

J.H. Hines was the favorite name put forth during community months ago at both of the current East Waco elementary schools.

The school board also voted Thursday night to make a counteroffer to buy more than 10 lots of Paul Quinn Street property. The original price was $147,482, and the board voted to counter with a $10,000 reduction. The property will be used to expand the Hines site where the new elementary school will be built.

The board also approved purchase of three lots on Cleveland Avenue to expand the Bell’s Hill Elementary School site when that campus is rebuilt.

wgragg@wacotrib.com

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