Rebrand_Pine Ridge (1)

Summary: Presented by: Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr., Board Member, District 6

Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the name change for Pine Ridge Elementary to Stephenson Elementary.

Why: The stakeholders of Pine Ridge Elementary School requested that the name of the school be renamed to Stephenson Elementary a to complete a full academic pipeline alongside its middle and high school counterparts, allowing scholars to walk a unified path from Pre-Kindergarten through graduation with a shared sense of identity and Jaguar pride.

Details: The committee, led by Board member Diijon DaCosta, Sr. was composed of the required Board members and District and School leaders. Then, PTA and PAC leaders, teachers, parents, a student, and a community member were added to make a total of 21 members.

The committee met on the following dates:
1. April 9, 2025
2. April 17, 2025 *
3. April 24, 2025

*Public input meeting was April 17, 2025.

Financial impact: Operations provided a list of potential tasks and accompanying estimated costs for Stephenson Elementary.

Two exterior signs were identified, one digital, and one monumental sign: budget $10,000 to cover the name/logo panels. (This assumes the digital sign readers are retained and only the adjacent panels are replaced);
Interior Signage/Wayfinding--$5,000;
Total school interior repainting-$80,000;
Flooring-$20,000;
Letterhead and stationery-$5,000;

This should adjust the total amount requested to $120,000 for the renaming of Pine Ridge Elementary.

Contact: Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr., Board Member, District 6, 678.676,0722
Ms. Michelle Dillard. Chief of Schools, Division of Schools & Leadership, 678.676.0542
Mr. Derrick Hardy, Area Superintendent for Horizon Schools, Division of Schools & Leadership, 678.676.2845

Effective: Upon Board Approval.
Mr. Derrick Hardy, Specialty Area Superintendent, will work with appropriate divisions to change the school's name.

Status: Attorney Approval Not Required