The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has informed the Sedalia School District 200 that Sedalia Middle School needs a new name.

The directive from DESE was an item of discussion at Sedalia’s board of education meeting last week, with no decision made. Supt. Dr Todd Fraley explains that the school, which will bring all fourth graders to the building next year, doesn’t meet DESE’s criteria to keep calling itself a middle school.

DESE currently refers to the school in their reports as Sedalia Elementary School. Board members may consider a new name at their next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 24. The board may also consider increases to the district’s meal prices following a state review.

The Sedalia 200 School Board did approve the low bid from Ben E Keith as the district’s primary grocery vendor for the next school year, totaling $690,067.57, beating out two other bids. Hiland Dairy was the only bidder to become the district’s dairy supplier for the next two years, which the board accepted.