What’s in a name? New CMS theater to be called the…

Central Middle School’s (CMS) new 700-seat theater will be known as the Performing Arts Center (PAC), or, in short “CMS PAC”.

The Eden Prairie School Board unanimously approved the recommendation of a school-based advisory group at its Feb. 22 meeting.

CMS students, staff and parents were surveyed earlier this year to generate a list of important words to be included in the theater’s name. A second round of surveys resulted in the final recommendation.

CMS Principal Nathan Swenson expressed some surprise at the results, but said, “This was clearly the preferred option.”

Swenson downplayed concerns about potential confusion with the Eden Prairie High School Performing Arts Center because each facility contains the name of its host school.

The CMS PAC is part of a $28.2 million project that includes the theater, a new gymnasium and lobby, a classroom addition, a cafeteria addition, and a new main entrance for the school. Contractor Knutson Construction also is reconstructing the school’s athletic complex.

In other action the board:

• approved the final version of the 2021-22 school calendar. Earlier this year the board changed a draft of the calendar to move the start date of school to avoid a conflict with the beginning of the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah.
• approved a revised mask policy that adds renters of district property to those who must follow the district’s requirements regarding mask usage.
• approved the minutes of the Community Linkage Committee in which members discussed their visions to improve communication with the community, engage with the district’s diverse population and create a better understanding for community members of the school board’s function at a Jan. 28 meeting. According to meeting minutes, the committee, including board members Kim Ross, Debjyoti “DD” Dwivedy and C.J. Strehl, voted unanimously to not record its meetings, rather provide a summary of “important topics.”

Superintendent Josh Swanson also recognized Bus Drivers Recognition Week and Minnesota School Board Recognition Week.