SCITUATE - September 14, 2026 - In a split 3-2 vote following rounds of deliberation, the Scituate School Committee chose “Satuit” as the name for the town’s new consolidated elementary school, selecting an indigenous term connected to the town’s historic brook and harbor over a bid to honor local suffragist and author Inez Haynes Irwin.
The Full Story
The School Committee finalized a multi-month naming process for the new elementary building scheduled to open in September 2027. The committee began deliberations by winnowing three finalist names—Daniel Ward, Inez Haynes Irwin, and Satuit—using an elimination round. After Ward was eliminated, the committee advanced Irwin and Satuit to a final runoff.
The choice prompted passionate debate among members over town representation and identity. Committee member Erika McMahon advocated for Inez Haynes Irwin, emphasizing that the district currently has no public school named directly after an accomplished woman.
“I keep coming back to the idea that we’re naming a school and it’s a place where generations of Scituate children will learn not only about themselves, but the community that they’re part of. And I love the idea that children will could potentially grow up and learn about who Inez Irwin was from the perspective of having lived in their town, loved their town and led change about what’s possible for generations of people who came after her.” — Erika McMahon, School Committee Member at 0:14:30
Member Carey Borkoski also backed Irwin, pointing to student research highlighting her contributions as a suffragist and writer. Vice Chair Maria Fenwick and Chair Nicole Brandolini spoke in favor of Satuit, quoting student project findings that emphasized how an inclusive, place-based name reflects the Native Americans who inhabited the region and connects to the brook running into Scituate Harbor. Brandolini added that community correspondence and five separate student group presentations heavily favored Satuit. The committee voted 3-2 to name the school Satuit, with Brandolini, Fenwick, and Secretary Janice Lindblom voting yes, and Borkoski and McMahon voting no.
In other major business, Superintendent Tom Raab delivered the latest updates on the district’s Athletics Corrective Action Plan following a spring Title IX audit. Raab presented an implementation matrix with over 50 specific deliverables organized across the fall, winter, and spring athletic seasons. The plan tracks coaching handbooks, uniform replacement cycles, equitable facility scheduling, and expanded volunteer programs. Raab also announced that a Booster Night workshop will take place on Tuesday, September 29, at Gates Commons in Scituate Middle School to review 501(c)(3) standards and donation policy compliance with all athletic booster officers.
