MADISON, Wis. -- Madison area residents voiced their thoughts on Tuesday night to the Madison Metropolitan School District's Board of Education about the four final names proposed for the city's newest elementary school.

TALKBACK: What Should School Be Named?

The school, which is being built on Madison's West Side, was originally named after Hmong leader Gen. Vang Pao, but the name was removed after Pao was arrested last year on suspicion of attempting to overthrow the Laotian government.

Tuesday night's hearing lasted three hours with the school board taking comments from the public about which of the four names school officials should choose.

The four proposed names include Jeffrey Erlanger, an advocate for the disabled and passionate public servant who died in June; Paul J. Olson, a former Madison principal, conservationist and polio survivor; Howard Temin, a Madison resident, cancer researcher and Nobel Prize winner; and Ilda Thomas, a drug and alcohol abuse counselor and co-founder of Centro Hispano. The original list of names contained 87 suggestions, WISC-TV reported.

Many residents on Tuesday night turned out in support of the Jeffrey Erlanger and Ilda Thomas proposals.

Erlanger was a James Madison Memorial High School and Edgewood College graduate who appeared on the "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" children's TV show. His appearances on the program were meant to show that disabled children were no different than any other child, WISC-TV reported.

Supporters of naming the school after Thomas said that through her work as a counselor as well as Centro Hispano, she reached out to people of all cultures.

"She just led a very multicultural life and embodies the multicultural nature of Madison," said Richard Hildner, who said he backs the Thomas suggestion.

Lisa Jameson said that she supports naming the school Jeffrey Erlanger Elementary

"I think he's an inspiration," Jameson said.

A handful of supporters also spoke in favor of Paul Olson during the hearing, WISC-TV reported.

Tuesday night's hearing was the only time the public could give their comments to the school board in person, but residents can e-mail comments on those four names to the board until March 24.

The board is expected to select the final name next month.