A northeast Calgary elementary school slated to open in 2017 could be named after a beloved young politician killed last year in a highway crash.
The Calgary Board of Education has created an online survey, asking Calgarians if the new school in Martindale should be named Manmeet Singh Bhullar School or Martindale School.
A school naming committee, chaired by trustee Pamela King, brought forward the two suggested names and the committee wants citizen input before recommending a name to the Board of Trustees.
The online survey, which the CBE has emphasized is “not a vote, but rather an opportunity for input,” comes after more than 5,000 people signed a petition asking for a Calgary school to be named after Bhullar in the wake of his death.
“(Manmeet Bhullar) was a very well-loved man,” said King, acknowledging his name was a clear choice for a suggested school name.
King said the school in Martindale marks the first opportunity to have a northeast school named after Bhullar since his death.
Bhullar was a 35-year-old Calgary MLA and a rising star in the Progressive Conservative caucus when he was fatally struck by a vehicle on Highway 2 after he stopped to help a motorist last November.
When Bhullar became MLA for the northeast constituency of Calgary-Greenway in 2008, he was the youngest member elected to Alberta’s 27th legislature.
During his years as an MLA, Bhullar served as Minister of Service Alberta, Minister of Human Services and Minister of Infrastructure. He became known as a powerful community advocate, who was especially dedicated to children and their families in northeast Calgary.
The new CBE kindergarten to Grade 4 school is scheduled to open in the northeast community of Martindale in the fall of 2017.
Citizens have until May 31, 2016 to weigh in online with their thoughts on the future school’s name. King said students from feeder schools will also be asked for their input.
It’s expected the Board of Trustees will decide on the name by late June.