I would like to applaud the Mehlville Board of Education for finally taking steps to bring our school district into the 21st century.

A new districtwide name change is an excellent idea.

We live in a new subdivision in St. Louis County by St. Anthony’s Medical Center and are in the Mehlville School District. I always find it amusing to see the looks on the faces of people who ask us what school district we are in. It has been my experience that a lot of people think of Mehlville as that stretch of Lemay Ferry Road between the high school and Lindbergh Boulevard.

Mehlville encompasses so many different areas and to refer to all of it as “Mehlville” is ignoring the vast number of residents in the district.

No disrespect to Mr. Mehl — whoever he was — but it is time to move forward and recognize the families who live in new subdivisions off Telegraph, out by St. Anthony’s Medical Center and all the areas springing up in south county and Oakville.

Truman would work well. Any name that refers equally to all would be a good step to updating the district’s image. As a community, we would be one — not “Mehlville/Oakville/Concord/Unincorporated,” which makes for a really silly letterhead.

As far as those who live in the past and say: “My kids went to Mehlville and there is no need to change it”— my guess is these are the same people who would not vote for a much-needed school tax increase to save the district’s life. “I don’t have kids in school, why should I vote to increase taxes?”

So good thinking, board members. It’s about time the school district’s image got a makeover. And as far as the Mehlville Fire Protection District is concerned, we can let them keep their name. After all, when was the last time someone asked you what fire protection district you graduated from?

Beth Liming

south county