WS district considering naming school after late Wally Stevenson

When the district was in the process of establishing the intermediate school, parents and members of the community were asked to pick from a list of names, ultimately choosing White Salmon Valley Intermediate School.

Rather than just approve the recommendation to change the school’s name at the last regular meeting of the White Salmon Valley School District Board of Directors, the panel chose to table the decision until their meeting in October so public input could be gathered.

“If we didn’t care what the community thought about naming the school we shouldn’t have asked them in the first place. I actually agree that we should rename it and believe the community will support the name, but it’s the principle of the thing. We should allow the community to realize we’re considering it,” said District 4 Director David Karlson.

The school district issued a press release last week seeking written feedback on potentially renaming the intermediate school. If approved, the vote would change the school’s name to W.E. Stevenson Intermediate School.

Comments can be submitted to the White Salmon Valley School District office at PO Box 157, White Salmon, Wash., 98672. All comments must be received by Oct. 17.

“It’ll be good to get the community’s input. From what I’ve heard, (Stevenson) was a tremendous supporter of the district and we have an awesome staff and a great group of kids that would rally behind it,” said Intermediate School Principal Columba Jones during the Sept. 25 meeting.

Wally Stevenson, his brother Bruce, and Frank Daubenspeck purchased what is now SDS Lumber Company in 1946. Wally and his wife, Priscilla, lived in their White Salmon home for 64 years where they passed away just one day apart in late August after 73 years of marriage.

Priscilla Stevenson, who died on Aug. 28, was 95, and Wally Stevenson, who followed his wife the next day, had turned 96 three days before his death.

White Salmon Valley School District Superintendent Dr. Jerry Lewis said friends of the Stevenson family were the primary force behind the recommendation to rename the intermediate school.

“Mr. Stevenson was always a strong supporter and contributor to the success of our schools,” according to the district’s press release.

The White Salmon Valley School District Board of Directors will decide on the renaming of the intermediate school at the regular meeting on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Columbia High School Library.