STAFF REPORT

A new elementary school scheduled to open for the 2009-2010 academic year will be named for a veteran San Marcos educator.

Irene K. Mendez Elementary will be located at 1805 Peter Garza Drive, the site of the current Goodnight Junior High School. The school board this week voted to name the school for Mendez over two other locals nominated by a naming committee: Johnnie Armstead and Theodora Scrutchin.

A lifelong San Marcos resident, Mendez “carried herself with remarkable spirit, moving mountains with her teaching, building skyscrapers with her expectations, and changing the hearts of so many children by enriching their lives with endless possibilities,” Travis Elementary secretary Diana Guerrero said.

Mendez graduated from the former Southside Elementary school, the junior high and high school before earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from what is now Texas State University. She became a bilingual kindergarten teacher and taught in the district for 28 years before dying of cancer.

Sarah Lesak, a retired San Marcos principal said, “She was an example and positive role model to her students and taught them the power of education. She was patient, always finding solutions to any situation, especially if it had to do with educating children.”

In December, Goodnight will move to its new campus at 1301 Texas 123. The former Goodnight site will undergo extensive renovations before opening as Mendez Elementary in fall 2009.

RELATED IN THE MERCURY:

• Konecki named new Travis Elementary principal | May 22, 2008
• Neal named assistant principal at Travis Elementary | June 18, 2008
• School district announces teachers of the year | April 21, 2008
• San Marcos school board approves attendance zones | November 18, 2008
• San Marcos CISD fills three administrative posts | July 28, 2008