One of the biggest changes coming to Pioneer Middle School this year is the addition of founding principal N. William O’Connell to its name.
Pioneer School District will hold an official dedication ceremony on Friday, Oct. 16, at 2:45 p.m., at the middle school to add Mr. O’Connell’s name to the building he championed. Students, staff, and friends/family are expected to be in attendance. A class reunion for the four original middle school classes (1980-83) is also planned.
A Legacy and Dedication Committee has been working along with Pioneer administration and Board of Education for over a year on a way to honor Mr. O’Connell. He helped plan the middle school during the early 1970s, while pioneering the middle school concept, and served as principal from 1975-1992. He died in 2024.
The Board of Education agreed unanimously to add Mr. O’Connell to the name of the middle school at its April 21 meeting, two years after his death. There will be related signage and a tribute wall unveiled at the dedication.
A reception will follow at Beer Justice in Arcade.