Schools Named for Jim Thorpe, Pio Pico

The school board unanimously chose legendary athlete Jim Thorpe over suffragette Susan B. Anthony when naming a planned new elementary school this week.

Trustees also unanimously voted to name a second new school after Pio Pico, the last Mexican governor of California, instead of after former Mexican President Benito Juarez.

“Pio Pico is a very important figure in California history,” said Trustee Robert W. Balen. “I think he’s a man that kids throughout our district can relate to and someone they should know about.”

Trustee Richard C. Hernandez had initially supported naming the school after Juarez, but voted for Pico when he realized he didn’t have the support of his fellow board members. But Hernandez was successful in his push to have a school named after Thorpe, whose life story was portrayed in a film starring Burt Lancaster.

“I have a special place in my heart for Jim Thorpe and supported naming a school after him because of his tremendous accomplishments in the athletic world,” Hernandez said. “I think he was a good choice because he comes from the Native American community and I think we need someone from there as a role model.”

Jim Thorpe Elementary School will be constructed at Alton Avenue and Greenville Street, while Pio Pico Elementary School will be built at 900 W. Richmond St.

The district, which has 43 schools and more than 43,000 students, is the ninth largest school district in the state.

It is in the midst of a $225-million construction program in which schools are being built at a rate of about two per year.