DURHAM

About 1,000 people responded to a survey whose results will help Regional School Unit 5 leaders and school board members decide to change or keep the district high school’s name.

Freeport, Pownal and Durham comprise RSU 5. Grade 9-12 students from these towns attend Freeport High School.

Topics set forth by survey questions for all who live, study or work in the school district include highlighting its strengths. Known as the “Unity & Pride” survey, the questionnaire also asks about the high school’s name. The survey began Nov. 10 and ended Nov. 25.

RSU 5 board member Candace deCsipkes is on the survey committee. After Wednesday night’s RSU 5 meeting, deCsipkes said public comments she has heard to date favor the high school’s current name or a slight variation.

Perhaps Freeport Regional High School would be an option, she said of one suggestion.

Renaming the school could be more likely to draw residents of the three towns apart, is one sentiment deCsipkes said she’s heard. Alumni of the high school may feel disconnected if the name is changed is another concern.

RSU 5 Schools’ Superintendent Becky Foley said she is pleased by the number of people who participated in the survey.

“It’s a great sample,” Foley said.

Next week, Pownal residents will meet at 6 p.m. at Pownal Elementary School to discuss the questionnaire. Results of the survey will be shared during a Dec. 14 public meeting at Freeport High School. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.

lconnell@timesrecord.com