PUHSD seeks suggestions for new high school name

A sign marks the future site of a high school to be built on Leon Road in southeast Menifee. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

Officials of the Perris Union High School District are still seeking the necessary funding to build what is known as "High School 4", but that isn't stopping them from going ahead with the naming process for the school.

On Monday - a week before the PUHSD board is expected to approve a November bond measure designed to provide the rest of the funding -- the district introduced an online survey to solicit suggestions for the school's name. High School 4 will be built on the eastern border of Menifee, at Leon Road and Wickerd Road.

"Calling it High School 4 is not very intimate when you have the design and are planning for the construction," said Candace Reines, deputy superintendent of PUHSD.

A total of $76.7 million -- roughly half of the amount needed -- was put aside for construction of the school from a $153.4 million bond passed in 2012. At that time, district officials were told that matching funds would be provided by the state of California, but that hasn't occurred and it appears PUHSD is far down the list of districts requesting funds.

PUHSD is in the midst of a media campaign to promote the proposed $148 million new bond measure, half of which would supply the rest of the funding to begin construction of High School 4. Once the Menifee Union School District becomes a unified district, the new high school and Paloma Valley High School would be part of it. Some Menifee students would continue to attend Heritage High School, which would remain in PUHSD with Perris High School.

A meeting between PUHSD and MUSD officials to discuss unification is scheduled for July 17. Meanwhile, residents are encouraged to submit their suggestions for the name of the new school. Reines said officials believe it is appropriate to begin that process, even though the new bond measure hasn't officially been placed on the ballot to be put to the voters.

"We think the plan will come to fruition," Reines said. "As a board, we (PUHSD) can't advocate one way or the other, but we do want the community to see we have a plan. We don't anticipate the board not calling for the election, and we feel like we have heard from the community that it favors the measure."

An additional high school is badly needed in Menifee, where Paloma Valley High already is overcrowded with more than 3,200 students. Reines said initial surveys of residents have shown that close to 60 percent would vote in favor of the bond measure.

The link to participate in the online survey for the school name is here. The survey will close on July 27.

Only suggested names in recognition of geographical or historical significance will be considered. Suggestions to name the school after an individual will not be considered.

An artist's rendering shows some proposed exterior scenes of the new high school planned for Menifee.