The Highland Park ISD Board of Trustees voted Sept. 10 to officially name the district's fifth elementary school in honor of longtime civic leader, public education advocate and HP alumnus Michael M. Boone. In addition to co-founding Haynes and Boone, one of the nation's premier law firms, Boone served, at separate times, as president of the HPISD Board of Trustees, chair of the SMU Board of Trustees, and president of the Dallas Citizens Council, all high-profile, influential volunteer positions.
"Mike Boone's committed service to the Park Cities and Dallas community, his high level of involvement in state school finance issues, his ethical leadership and his extraordinary vision are unsurpassed," School Board President and member of the school naming committee Jim Hitzelberger said. "Put simply, he is a giant who is deeply respected in our community and beyond."
The naming of the school followed a process that involved more than 300 submissions from the public to name Highland Park ISD's fifth elementary school, which will open with its own attendance boundary at the start of the 2020-21 school year. A committee comprised of trustees Hitzelberger, Kelly Walker and Edward Herring reviewed the nominations, which included several distinguished alumni, present and former staff members as well as other dedicated volunteers.
"Highland Park ISD is indeed fortunate to have so many deserving individuals and names from which to choose for a new school. This was a very difficult decision that was made after significant deliberation," Walker said. "In the end, we believe Mike's profound impact on our school district, community and the state puts him in the same unique class as John S. Armstrong, Robert S. Hyer, Arch H. McCulloch and John S. Bradfield."
Boone is a 1959 graduate of Highland Park High School, a graduate of SMU, and the SMU School of Law. He has been honored by each as a distinguished alumnus.
Michael M. Boone Elementary will be located at 8385 Durham and is currently serving as Hyer Elementary while the school is being rebuilt. A committee is working this fall to draw new attendance boundaries for Armstrong, Boone, Bradfield, Hyer, and University Park to become effective in August next year.