On Aug. 26, the School Committee unanimously voted to approve names for the new Wareham Elementary School’s Innovation Hub and the third and fourth-grade academic wing. 

The new school is located at the site of the old Minot Forest Elementary School, and will serve both former Minot students and current John W. Decas Elementary School students.

During the School Committee’s meeting, Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Shaver-Hood said administrators had been discussing how to best dedicate parts of the new building with members of the Decas and Minot families and with school staff members. 

“We started this discussion on September 19, 2019,” Shaver-Hood said.

She explained that William Decas funded the construction of the John W. Decas Elementary School “in honor of his only son who was killed in World War II.” Georgia Chamberlain, John Decas’ sister, also donated funds to support the library and technology. 

“As the Innovation Hub will provide our students of Wareham some amazing opportunities focusing on the arts, STEAM, technology and academics, it seems fitting to name the Innovation Hub the ‘John W. Decas Innovation Hub’ in memory of John W. Decas,” Shave-Hood said. 

School Committee member Apryl Rossi said she thought the name was fitting. 

“I think it’s a wonderful honor for the memory of the Decas family and everything that they’ve done for the kids and the education of the students of Wareham,” Rossi said.

Similarly, to recognize the contributions of the Minot family, Shaver-Hood recommended the committee vote to name the third and fourth-grade academic wing the “Minot Forest Wing.” 

“Minot Forest Elementary originally stood on the site of the new elementary building,” Shaver-Hood said. “The original building was built in 1966 and was home to hundreds of students until the building was closed and then demolished in 2019. The land was donated by the Minot family.” 

To honor the donation of the land, Shaver-Hood recommended the committee dedicate the wing to the Minot family. 

“I think it’s really important that we honor the Minot name in this new building,” said chair Joyce Bacchiocchi. “So I’m really glad that we’re able to do this.”

The committee voted 4-0-0 to approve both proposed names. School Committee member Mary Morgan was not present at the meeting.