In a split decision, the name of Warner Elementary School was changed to Jessie McGhee Elementary School by the Lewiston School Board last night.

Miss McGhee was the first principal at Warner, beginning in 1948 and ending with her retirement in 1958.

She was a member of the district staff for 38 years and taught for 49 years. She now lives with a sister-in-law, Ruby McGhee at 714 7th Ave.

She taught in rural Washington schools beginning in 1914, and at Leland from 1916 to 1918, when she moved to Lewiston to attend Lewiston Normal School, receiving a two-year certificate in 1920. She taught at the old Whitman School until 1942 when she was appointed principal there and was then transferred to Warner.

She received a bachelor’s degree from Western Washington College in 1936 and had attended classes at the University of Washington, Columbia Junior College, the University of Idaho and Washington State University.

Dr. William C. Mannschreck and Marjie M. Johnson, both board members, voted against the name change.

Mrs. Johnson said that the school would always continue to be known as Warner, and Dr. Mannschreck said he preferred that either a new elementary school or a proposed new school site be named rather than to change an existing name.

William A. Stellmon and B. A. “Art” Poleson voted in favor of the change, with President Wynne M. Blake casting the deciding ballot.

In other action, high school English teacher Ronald Harlow received permission from the Lewiston School Board to run for and, if elected, to serve in the Idaho Legislature next year.

Harlow, who is also chairman of the Nez Perce County Democratic Central Committee, said he does not necessarily plan to act on that permission.

Since last night’s school board meeting was its last prior to the deadline for filing petitions of candidacy, he said he wanted to be in position to run in case either of the two District 6 House members decides not to run.

Neither of the two incumbents, Bruce Sweeney and Joe Wagner, both Lewiston Democrats, has officially announced for re-election. Harlow served six weeks during the last legislative session as a substitute for Rep. Wagner during an illness.

This story was published in the May 14, 1974, edition of the Lewiston Tribune.