Update Posted March 24, 2008 -- 9:05pm

The far west side building was originally named after a former Hmong military leader.

Last April, the school board voted unanimously to name the school after General Vang Pao.

In May, came the groundbreaking ceremony, despite accusations of military wrong-doing by Pao.

Then, just 12-days later, another unanimous vote by the board -- to change the name after Pao was indicted on federal charges.

The controversy led to a district policy change. Now, schools can only bear names of people who are deceased.

Monday, nearly 90-suggestions later, the board voted to name the new school -- Paul J. Olson Elementary.

Olson was nominated for his work as an educator and conservationist. He was the first principal at Midvale Elementary and later founded the school district's forest.

Olson served the district for 46-years as a teacher, administrator and board member.

All this, despite being paralyzed from polio. Olson passed away in 1993 at the age of 84.

Several of Olson's family members were at Monday evening's meeting.

His daughter, also a teacher, was very moved by the board's decision.

"He never would have sought something like this for himself," says Karen Sullivan. "He was very humble. But, dad was a really special person. I don't know of a person who didn't love my father."

Olson was one of four finalists suggested by a citizens naming committee. Board members say Olson exemplifies all the criteria put forth by that committee. The other finalists were: Jeffrey Erlanger, an advocate for people with disabilities; Howard Temin, a Nobel Prize winning cancer researcher; and Ilda Thomas, founder of Centro Hispano.

Construction on Paul J. Olson Elementary is well underway. The 13-million dollar building will house around 700 students. It's set to open in the fall.

The Hmong community was not represented at the meeting. There is disappointment that another Hmong namesake was not on the final list.
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Original Story Posted October 19, 2007

After much controversy, the name Vang Pao is out and the Madison School Board must decide from a new list of submissions. Some of the names you may be familiar with, others you may not.

From crocodile hunter Steve Irwin and neighbor Fred Rogers, to the late Packer great Reggie White: 41 names are potential candidates for the newest Madison Elementary.

"The citizens committee will do more research and put together a package and say these are the names we recommend," says MMSD Board President Arlene Silveira.

Some submissions honor fallen soldiers from our area, including Mark Maida and Nathan J. Vacho. Others are icons in black history, such as Coretta Scott King and Thurgood Marshall. Those who opposed the previous school name of Vang Pao, hope the board chooses wisely this time.

"I'm not opposed to naming it a person's name but I just think given all the controversy surrounding the opening of this school, they should really just pick something non-controversal," says Heidi Reynolds. Reynolds 4-year-old daughter will attend the school next year.

One idea--Forward Elementary--adopts the state motto. Linden Park, Badger Prairie and West Side Elementary make reference to the neighborhood. Others were major players in state and federal government, such as Gaylord Nelson, Senator William Proxmire and Ronald Wilson Reagan.

"I think it is going to be the committee's job to look through and do a google name search," says Reynolds.

Some names worth researching: James Doty, who bought thousands of acres along the isthmus and started developing the city of Madison.
Also: William T. Evjue who founded the newspaper 'The Capital Times' in 1917.

"I do like the thought that it is something relevant and something that belongs to Madison, a person or a name that belongs to Madison," says Karen Eigenberger.

Many nominees made a difference in this community, including former East High School Principal Milt McPike, disability rights activist Jeff Erlanger and NBC 15's own Mike McKinney.

"If you're going to put someone's name on, you want to be able to educate the students at that school who that person is," says Reynolds.

"If there is an opportunity to use the name and a place, like a new neighborhood to show some history to Madison, I think that's a great opportunity," says Eigenberger.

Again, you still have until October 22nd to submit names, a form is available through the district by calling 663-1879. A citizens committee will narrow down the list to four. The School Board has the final decision.