MADISON, Wis. -- The Madison Metropolitan School District's Board of Education voted to name the city's new elementary school after Paul Olson, a former teacher, principal and environmental activist.

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The board's decision comes more than a year after deciding not to name the West Side school after famed Hmong Gen. Vang Pao.

Four names were being considered for the new school, including Olson's. The other contenders were: Jeffrey Erlanger, a quadriplegic since birth and a tireless advocate for people with disabilities; Ilda Thomas, the founder of Centro Hispano; and Howard Temin, a University of Wisconsin professor, cancer researcher and Nobel Prize winner.

The school board first narrowed its finalists to Jeffery Erlanger and Paul Olson, but in the end, board members said that they chose the man they feel best represents what education is all about, WISC-TV reported.

"I can't believe it! It's wonderful," said Karen Sullivan, Olson's daughter.

"Dad really loved this city. He loved children. He always said the children were the most important out of everything," she said.

Because of that, his daughter Susan Sullivan said that her father dedicated 43 years of his life to education.

School Board President Arlene Silveira said that the selection of Olson was important.

"Having someone that really has come through and experienced education in the Madison school district at so many different levels is very important," she said.

Olson didn't just teach -- he took his lectures outdoors, helping students understand the importance of nature conservation. These are lessons the school board and Olson's son, Jim, said that they hope will continue with future generations.

"Somebody as personal as your Dad, to have it named after him, somebody that you've been so proud of all your life and to have others recognize it as well, (I'm) very proud," he said.

Olson's name was picked after more than a year of debate that forced changes in the school naming process. It included new guidelines and a lengthy review process by a citizen committee.

District officials had planned to name the school after Vang Pao, but reversed that decision last summer after federal agents arrested Pao on suspicion of attempting to overthrow the Laotian government. The district's decision and his arrest spurred protests at the state Capitol and other places around the country.

Some members of the Hmong community are still critical of the school board for not including the name of another Hmong leader in its final four finalists, WISC-TV reported.

The school board will have more chances to select names in the coming years. Long-term district plans call for two more elementary schools -- one on Madison's East Side and another possibly in Fitchburg.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.