Preston High School - Wildcat Yearbook (Preston, KS)

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PRESTON'S FIRST GRADE AND HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING During the fall of 1879, a district was laid out southeast of the town of Haynesville, including part of the district No. 8: and after many protests and petitions concerning its boundaries, the district was approved by the county superintendent. However, it was not until 1882 that a report was sent in. This report showed the enrollment of seven boys and seven girls. We are not certain that school was actually in session until 1885, when Alice Tippie was the teacher, receiving a salary of S20 per month for a term of three months. The boundaries of the district were enlarged several times. In 1885 a school building was constructed at the cross roads north of Preston, and here school was held six months out of the year until it was out- grown in 1889. Then a frame buildingwas constructed on the site of the present brick building used by the grade school. The faculty was increased to three members with E. M. Rowell as principal at a salary of S50 per month. Two years of high school work were maintained until the enrollment had outgrown the frame building, and in 1911 the present brick building was constructed. When the new buildingwas put i.nto service, the course of study was enlarged to four years of high school work and the first graduates were granted diplomas in 1914. Several more additions were made to the district. The most important in 1920 when District 1415, Friendship, Lone Valley, and a part of the New Harmony District came into No. 8. Enrollment increased until in 1921, a brick structure was built to accommodate the junior and senior high. One of the nearby country schoolhouses, Victory, was moved south of the high school building and lunch-room facilities were installed about the year 1943. We do not know which year had the peak enrollment: however, the enrollment for the '25 and '26 year was 280 students. The present school year, '65 and '66, had an enrollment of 149 students. Prospects for next year were for further decreased enrollment. During this year, the patrons voted to join Unified District 382. The next school term, the lunchroom and the first six grades will be moved into the present high school building. Buses will transport the junior and senior high students into Pratt. District No. 8 graduated 52 classes. May you, the alumnae, enjoy the following pages. Due to the time lapse between gathering the ma- terial and publication, there may be a few inaccuricies. We've done our best to bring you a Ulle picture of the doings of your fellow classmates. Sheri Simon Yearbook Editor