Old Waukee Elementary School Gets a New Name

Good news for the old Waukee Elementary School - it finally has a new name.

Built in 1917, the former schoolhouse located at 400 Locust St. once home to Waukee Elementary students, will now be called the Vince Meyer Learning Center. It will open to students for the 2013-14 school year. 

Members of the Waukee school board voted unanimously on the name Monday night.

The Vince Meyer Learning Center came from a list of suggestions from staff, students and the public after the board tabled a discussion about calling the building the Downtown School at its Oct. 8 meeting.

Vince Meyer, according to board members, served the Waukee Community School District for 37 years, including a stint as Waukee High School's principal from 1953-1984. Meyer was also the district's athletic director and was instrumental in forming Waukee's football program in 1969.

Probably most important, say some, was Meyer's service to the United States. He served in the Air Force and was a veteran of World War II. Meyer was awarded the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his work as a bombardier on a B-17.

Clair Eason, a friend and former colleague of Meyer's, said he deserved to have a school named after him.

"His 37 years of service to this district made lasting impressions on many of his students," said Eason. "He was a good man. He was an honest, nuts and bolts...nothing fancy about Vince Meyer."

Plans for the 1917 building include new windows, lockers, an elevator and upgrades to the heating and cooling system. Once redone, the building could house 250 additional students in 10 classrooms with more than 24,000 square feet of learning space. It is expected to reopen in the fall of 2013.

Total cost for the project is about $2 million and is being paid for with physical plant and equipment levy money, tax dollars set aside to specifically repair and remodel schools in the district.