August 22, 2023- The Boerne Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to name two district facilities on Monday night at their regular monthly meeting. Elementary #8 was named Viola “Olie” Wilson Elementary School, while the Board also named the George and Bedelia Mitchell Learning Center.
VIOLA “OLIE” WILSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Viola “Olie” Wilson Elementary School was approved by voters during the 2022 BISD Bond Election and is scheduled to open in August 2024.
Mrs. Wilson was a beloved elementary school teacher in Boerne for over 40 years, from the 1930s into the 1970s.
After attending Southwest Texas Normal School in San Marcos, now Texas State University, she taught at the Balcones School from 1932-1933, and then at BISD for over four decades.
During her career, Mrs. Wilson taught three generations of Boerne children before she retired from the job she loved.
Mrs. Wilson was a charter member of the Boerne Retired Teachers, which was founded on December 14, 1978, and later became the Kendall County Retired Teachers Association.
Mrs. Wilson was born on March 21, 1911, and passed away on October 21, 2006, and was married to her high school sweetheart, Robert Wilson, for 54 years before his passing.
Mrs. Wilson was an active member of Boerne’s First United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Wilson received 74 of the 315 community submissions to name the new school, which was the highest number of submissions any entry received.
BISD will name the Principal of Viola “Olie” Wilson Elementary School this fall, and will unveil the mascot and logo, as well as hire teachers and staff in Spring 2024.
GEORGE AND BEDELIA MITCHELL LEARNING CENTER
The George and Bedelia Mitchell Learning Center, formerly the BISD Administration Center, was approved by voters to be renovated during the 2022 BISD Bond Election. The facility will host the BISD 18+ program, as well as Boerne Academy and Continuing Education courses.
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell were prominent business and community leaders. The Mitchells owned Mitchell Cleaners, a highly successful local business, and Mr. Mitchell was also with the Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Berges Fest, and Boerne Youth Athletic Association. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell participated in many Crusaders Club projects around town, and he was also Boerne’s 1st President of the Crusaders Club. For many of these civic organizations, he was a founding member, a Director, or a president.
Mr. Mitchell was named Boerne Citizen of the Year in 1972.
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell raised five children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren who went through Boerne ISD schools. One of their children, Gabriella "Gay" Polito, worked for BISD for decades before recently retiring. Mr. Mitchell did many great things for Boerne ISD, including dry cleaning the Boerne High School band uniforms for decades free of charge, as well as helping start a scholarship program for students, which impacted countless families in Boerne.
George and Bedelia Mitchell were married for 58 years and had a tremendous impact on the Boerne Community. Mr. Mitchell was born on October 3, 1921, and died on September 27, 2001, while Mrs. Mitchell was born on January 26, 1926, and passed away on May 10, 2019.
The George and Bedelia Mitchell Learning Center is scheduled to open in 2024.
The Boerne ISD Facilities naming committee received over 300 submissions from the community. Per Boerne ISD Board Policy, the committee narrowed the submissions down to three options and presented them to the Board of Trustees who then made the final decision.
