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Suggestions from the community on the naming of the new schools in Victoria are more than welcome, Ray Walden, school board president, said at the monthly board meeting.

The policy for naming the two high schools, two elementary schools and one middle school was addressed at the meeting.

"We will take the suggestions from the community that are in accordance with our policy," Bob Moore, superintendent, said at the meeting.

The board will consider naming the schools after local, state or national educators, or distinguished and historical persons and events. Additionally, they will consider retired prominent local citizens or educators and the name of the street where the school is located.

On Dec. 1 the board will have a link available on the district's Web site for submitting a name or downloading the submission form. Those wanting to make a suggestion can download the form or pick one up at the administration building or schools. The deadline for applications is Dec. 31.

"The leadership team will review the forms but not make a recommendation to the board," Moore said.

The board will make the final decision on the names of the schools.

The two elementary schools are scheduled to open for the 2009 school year. Scheduled opening for the middle school and two high schools is the 2010 school year.

Ron Leach, the district's chief operations officer, advised the board that bids for needed roof repairs on the Memorial High School-Senior campus gym had been received.

The district has not made any repairs to the roof in 10 years and now is the time to make the needed repairs, Leach said.

Some members of the board were hesitant about approving the contract, but decided the $309,800 in repairs were worth the cost.

"We can't have enough facilities, these repairs will allow us two additional gyms and we need more gymnasiums," Bernard Klimist, vice-president, said. "We have to preserve the gym because we still have two years of students and we just can't let it rain on them."