Prior to his final day as Superintendent of Harrison County Schools, Dr. Mark Manchin was trying to take care of a final order of business. And it involved Johnson Elementary.

 

Manchin said something he worked on for some time was not going to happen before he left, but very likely could happen before the start of the 2020-21 school calendar year. It is something he said will help put some “finishing touches” on the building that will turn three this August.

 

“We’re in what should be the final steps of putting a logo on the gym,” said Manchin.

 

The logo is not inside of the gym. Rather, it is on the large outer wall of the gymnasium facing Johnson Avenue and the JES parking lot that is bland.

 

“I’ve talked about something needing to be there since before the school opened and I’ve been trying to make it happen for the last two years, and I’d really like to see it happen after I’m gone,” Manchin said. “That could very well be the final touch the building needs.”

 

While the building is easily identifiable to locals as Johnson Elementary and the school’s name is on the building further to the right, it is now extremely clear. Although the school would survive without a name and logo in the area in question, Principal Vicki Huffman said it is going to be an asset beyond just looking better.

 

“It’s really just a gray part of the wall, which could stand to be dressed up,” said Huffman. “With the name being part of what we hope will go there, it will help. You may be surprised at the number of people that come here thinking we’re the high school.”

 

Huffman, like Manchin, said it is not official at this point. However, she said the idea is to have the school name on the top followed by an arrowhead and Indian headdress like the wall padding inside the school that represents the school’s “Little Chiefs” name.

 

“We need to have something there because it’s one of the first things you see,” said Huffman. “It’s a good landmark for those that pass by that may get the schools confused. If this happens, it will be very visible and clearly marked.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Johnson Elementary School and the bare wall to the left, while in the bottom photo former Superintendent Dr. Mark Manchin, left, is shown with Principal Vicki Huffman, center, and Assistant Principal Heather Holbert. Top photo by Ben Queen of Ben Queen Photography.