Despite continued public outcry to keep the Moira Secondary School’s name intact, it could be rebranded as Eastside Secondary School.

The Operations and Finance Committee has recommended the new names Eastside (High or Secondary) School to the Hastings Prince Edward District School Board it's meeting Monday night.

Moira Secondary School and Quinte Secondary School are consolidating at the Moira site in September.

Last month, the Hastings and Prince Edward District School board voted to scrap the Meyers Creek Secondary School name – the name previously chosen to replace Moira – after it was learned the school’s namesake, John Walden Meyers, had ties to slave ownership.  

The process started over with 1,432 individuals responding representing 3,197 name suggestions and of a shortlist of 10 names of which Eastside was chosen.  

Almost 2,500 of the submissions were to keep the name the same.  Thirty public members voted for Eastside Secondary.

“While the public had spoken and had mentioned the Moira name through school board procedure, a duplicate school name cannot be put in place,” communications co-ordinator Kerry Donnell said. "That was made clear in the form people filled out when they went online as part of the introduction form.”

She pointed to the school board procedure that has been in place since 2008, that states naming a school a duplicate name or the name of an existing school is not possible under the procedure. 

She said the approach the committee took followed the school board procedure about naming board properties. 

“The public input came in and the committee looked at the public input and really had some meaningful conversations of what they wanted the school name to be,” Donnell said. “Through discussion they came to consensus about a name that they thought would be fitting for the school. 

“We appreciate all the work that the committee did to review the names, the public sending in their ideas.  We know when the consolidated school opens in September it is going to be an exciting environment for all.”

Moira student grandparent, Kathryn Brown who has been vocal on keeping the Moira name alive said the board has ignored constituents.

“In this circumstance, the board has repeatedly ignored what the students, parents, alumni and general public have expressed through petitions, voting and vocally at Board meetings,” she said.

“We live in a democracy and are deeply disappointed by the lack of democratic process HPEDSB has chosen to follow. It is now up to us, the public, to use another democratic process - the municipal election - to use our voice and vote for Trustees who listen to and truly represent the residents of Hastings and The County.”

Meanwhile, the report states the new school colours will be purple, grey and black and the school mascot will be the raven.

Donnell said a costing to rebrand the school isn’t available yet.

The following names were shortlisted: Bay of Quinte Secondary School, Bayshore High School, Belleville East Secondary School, Corby High School, East Hill Secondary School, Eastside (High or Secondary) School, Ridgeview Secondary School, Riverside High School, Stanley Park Secondary School and Wenjack Secondary School.

The board meets on June 18th.