A city commissioner in Fargo, North Dakota, has publicly suggested naming a new elementary school after conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The proposal was made on social media in response to a request from Fargo Public Schools for community input on the name for a facility scheduled to open in 2028.
Key Takeaways
- Fargo City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg proposed the name 'Charlie Kirk Elementary' on social media.
- The suggestion is for a new school that will consolidate three existing elementary schools: Horace Mann, Roosevelt, and Madison.
- The new school is set to be built on the current Horace Mann Elementary site and will open in the fall of 2028.
- The Fargo Board of Education has the final authority to select the name and has established a formal process for submissions and selection.
- The final name will be chosen on November 25, following a public review process.
Commissioner's Public Proposal
The suggestion to name the new school after the late conservative activist was put forward by Fargo City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg. On Friday, Fargo Public Schools posted on social media, inviting the community to submit name ideas for its new elementary school. In response, Turnberg commented with her proposal.
“I like the sound of Charlie Kirk Elementary,” Turnberg wrote in her social media post. She added that she believed the name “would be some positive, national news for Fargo!” This comment brings a prominent political figure into a local school naming process, a decision that often focuses on local historical figures or individuals with direct ties to education.
According to reports, Commissioner Turnberg had attended Kirk's funeral on September 21, indicating a personal connection or respect for the figure she nominated.
Who Was Charlie Kirk?
Charlie Kirk was a well-known American conservative activist and media personality. He was the founder of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization that advocates for conservative values on high school, college, and university campuses. His work and commentary made him a prominent, and often polarizing, figure in national political discourse.
School District's Naming Process
Fargo Public Schools has outlined a structured and transparent process for selecting the new school's name. The final decision rests not with the city commission, but with the Fargo Board of Education. The district is actively soliciting suggestions from the public to ensure community involvement.
The Board has established specific criteria for consideration. According to the guidelines, the Board will consider names that fall into several categories:
- Names of individuals with national or state significance.
- Names that hold special significance to the Fargo area.
- Names of individuals who made a significant contribution to education or the local school system.
This framework is designed to guide the selection toward a name that reflects the community's values and the educational mission of the school.
Timeline for Selection
The Fargo Board of Education has set a clear schedule for the naming process. At its meeting on November 12, the board will review all public submissions and narrow the list down to a Top 5. The final selection is scheduled to take place at the November 25 meeting, where the official name will be chosen and announced.
Details of the New School Project
The new elementary school is a significant project for the Fargo Public Schools district. It is designed to modernize facilities and consolidate student populations from three existing schools: Horace Mann Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, and Madison Elementary Schools.
The facility will be constructed on the site of the current Horace Mann Elementary School. This consolidation is part of a broader plan to update educational infrastructure within the district. The project is scheduled for completion in time for the school to open its doors to students in the fall of 2028.
By combining three school communities, the new building will serve a large and diverse student body, making its name a point of shared identity for hundreds of families in Fargo.
The Role of Public Officials in Local Decisions
While Commissioner Turnberg's suggestion was made in a personal capacity on social media, it highlights the intersection of local governance and public education. As an elected city official, her public statements can draw significant attention to community matters. However, the school district operates as a separate entity with its own governing body.
The formal process established by the Fargo Board of Education ensures that the final decision will be based on established criteria and community feedback, rather than solely on the suggestion of a single public official.
The public submission period allows any resident to propose a name, and all suggestions are expected to be reviewed by the school board. The proposal of a nationally recognized political figure, whether from the right or left, often sparks public debate about the role of politics in education. The coming weeks will reveal the range of names submitted by the Fargo community and the priorities the Board of Education considers in making its final choice.
