Panel says Central Trail tops list for name of new building

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Central Principal Toni Gerber says the name was chosen from about 60 offerings.

Sylvania's Central Elementary School appears to have a new name to go with the new building scheduled to open in a new location in January, 2013.

Principal Toni Gerber told the Board of Education last week that the name "Central Trail Elementary" was selected from a field of 60 suggestions by a committee composed of four teachers, six parents, and herself.

The board is expected to give its approval at a subsequent meeting, perhaps later this month. The new school is under construction on Mitchaw Road near Timberstone Junior High.

"After much discussion, the committee, whose charge was to make a recommendation to the Sylvania Board of Education, decided to honor both the history and future of our school," the principal said.

She said the committee felt that preserving "Central" in the name was important even though the new school would not be on Central Avenue.

Including "Trail" in the name was appropriate because a running, walking, and bicycle trail of the Olander Park System will traverse the school property.

"Our school site will be a hub for the bike trail that will wind throughout Sylvania. How exciting that is for our school and community," Ms. Gerber said.

Some of the other suggested names were "Central Green," "Central Timbers," "Central Woods," "Central Pines," "Central Brook," and "Central Greenview."

These were all given close consideration "But we kept coming back to 'Central Trail,' " Ms. Gerber said. "That is our recommendation to you as a board, and we hope you will consider it."

Ms. Gerber said the most amusing suggestion was "Waylong Elementary," which came from a girl in the second grade.

She told Ms. Gerber that her father said "This school is taking way long."