The names of a middle school and three elementary schools scheduled to open in the summer of 2010 will honor a former governor turned philanthropist, a beloved educator, a trusted school engineer, and the District's former director of guidance and counseling.

The Northside Board of Trustees voted for the District's newest school namesakes Tuesday night. All four names were submitted by members of the public through the District's "Name A School" process.

• Dolph Briscoe Middle School (formerly "Alamo Ranch" MS) honors a man who, since serving as governor of Texas, has donated millions of dollars to cultural and educational institutions in San Antonio and Austin. Briscoe served as a state representative from 1949 to 1957 and then as governor from 1973 to 1979. During his tenure as governor, Briscoe secured $4 billion in additional funding for public education and increased teacher salaries by the highest percentage in history.
• Bobbye Behlau Elementary School (formerly "Laurel Mountain Ranch area" ES) is named for a woman who spent more than 40 years in education, first as an elementary teacher and then as a reading specialist, vice principal, and principal. Highly-respected, Behlau was a strong and enthusiastic leader who, after she retired, co-founded the Northside Museum Association and wrote the history of NISD.
• Dr. Pat Henderson Elementary School (formerly "Kallison Ranch area" ES) is named for a longtime advocate for children, first as a teacher and counselor and later as the director of Guidance and Counseling for Northside ISD from 1982 to 2001. The author of more than 40 books and publications, Henderson developed Northside's comprehensive guidance program, which now is the model used in schools worldwide.
• Jim G. Martin Elementary School (formerly "Canterbury Farms area" ES) honors a man who dedicated his career to education. As an engineer, Martin spent 30 years working for public school districts, making sure students were educated in modern, durable, and energy-efficient schools and oversaw the renovations and construction of dozens of schools. As NISD's assistant superintendent for Facilities & Operations, Martin's uncompromising character and honesty earned him the respect of colleagues, employees, members of the construction industry.

William Brennan High School, which was named for the U.S. Supreme Court Justice last year by the Board of Trustees, also will open in August 2010. All five schools are funded by School Bond 2007.