CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – After almost four months of failed votes, controversy and debate, the 26th Clarksville-Montgomery County School System elementary school finally has a name: Freedom.
On Tuesday night, the School Board voted on the long-awaited naming.
With 11 names to consider, plus a last-minute amendment from Aron Maberry, board members filled out handwritten ballots to cast their votes. Kent Griffy, board chairman, explained that the voting would be done in two rounds. Coincidentally, there was a tie, and a third round was added.
Round 1
In round one, board members were instructed to cast their votes on their top three favorite names.
Board Attorney Mark Nolan tallied the votes, and four names emerged as the top victors:
- Freedom Elementary
- Lettie Kendall Elementary
- Valor Elementary
- Freedom Point Elementary
Round 2
Although it is unclear which names tied, the board adjusted their tactics and made way for round two. In the second round, the board members were instructed to vote on two of the aforementioned school names.
After Nolan counted the votes, two names emerged on top:
- Freedom Elementary
- Freedom Point Elementary
Round 3
With the word “freedom” as a favorite, the third and final round began. This time, board members were instructed to cast their vote on only one of the two names.
A tense silence followed as Nolan tallied the votes on the final round and handed the results to the chairman.
“The name of the new elementary school will be Freedom Elementary,” Griffy announced.