Cesar Chavez High? Credit: Photo by Alan Pogue

As part of the repurposing, the new Eastside high gets a new name. To help ensure community involvement, AISD asked residents to submit suggestions for what their new school should be called. Nominations are now closed, and the board of trustees will announce the winner at its Aug. 11 meeting – just in time for the paint to dry on the signs before the academic year starts. The district received 618 forms suggesting 206 different names. Even though keeping the old name got 31 votes, TEA had already ruled against this new school being called Johnston, New Johnston, Johnston Phoen­ix, or any other variation. As is normal, there were some AISD tributes: Johnston’s former Dean of Women Dorothy Orebo got 23 nominations, while Superintendent Pat Forgione got four.

Some other highlights:

Cesar Chavez: 101

Memorial: 55

Willie Nelson: High?

East Side: 48

Stevie Ray Vaughan: 4

Willie Nelson: 3

Rick Perry: 2

George Bush: 2


This article appears in August 8 • 2008.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.