August 11, 2008 - Austin School Trustees tonight selected Eastside Memorial High School at the Johnston Campus as the new name for the District’s newest high school.  

The new school will open on Monday, August 25, under a repurposing plan for the former Johnston High School campus that was approved back in June by the Texas Education Agency. As of August 11, 435 students have indicated they plan to attend Eastside Memorial High School.  
 
More than 600 Austin citizens submitted approximately 200 nominations for the new name. District 2 Trustee Sam Guzman, who represents the campus, thanked the citizens, students, parents, and alumni who submitted nominations for the new school’s name.  
 
“Eastside Memorial High School is a name that connects us to the past — to the ‘Pride of the Eastside’ — which has special significance for every Johnston graduate. 'Memorial' honors our alumni who valiantly served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice; and naming the site ‘Johnston Campus’ connects each new high school to the history of the site,” he said.  
 
“Yet, the Eastside we know is changing — with new buildings, new businesses, and new opportunities in our neighborhood. I believe this spirit of new beginnings can be reflected in the new beginning for our new high school. ‘Eastside’ is a name that we can all identify with —it reflects our roots in this community — and it will encourage us to continue to look to our high school as an institution that unifies our community. Memorial will remain a part of our roots, but we will change with it.”  
 
Trustees also named Dr. David Kernwein as Interim Principal of Eastside Memorial High School for the 2008-2009 school year. Dr. Kernwein as 27 years of administrative experience in Austin, serving as principal at both Anderson and Crockett high schools, and as assistant principal at Johnston.