Iroquois Central High School - Iroquoian Yearbook (Elma, NY)

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CENTRALIZATION—A Dream Realized The Iroquois Central School District had its advent as the “Elma-Marilla-Wales” Central School District (by a majority vote of the eligible voters present and voting) on June 28, 1952. These voters were from twenty-three former common school districts of the towns of Elma, Marilla, Wales, Aurora and Lancaster, Erie County and Bennington, Wyoming County. The new Central District was the result of a comprehensive study carried on by a Steering Committee of Citizens, the District Superintendent and the State Education Department. The plan followed the pattern of educational progress in New York State, that of meeting the need of better educational opportunities for an increasing population, (espe- cially so in Erie County) through an administrative unit large enough to finance and support an adequate school program. It would equalize opportunity, payment of cost, and guarantee a voice in the proceedings. The village of East Aurora re- jected an earlier opportunity to be in the central unit, so the plan voted in June, 1952, was for the balance of the former common school districts extending to the east, north and northwest of East Aurora. The territory included in this central unit has a true valuation of approximately 1114 million dollars and a pupil population of 1700, of which 250 are in parochial schools. The Central District was organized with a seven member Board of Education, elected in July, 1952. The original members were: Town of Elma — Howard Marshall, President , George Field, Walter Knell; Town of Marilla — Leon A. Piguet, J. Howard Smith; Town of Wales —Kenneth Parkinson and Ralph Peter- sen. (‘Howard Marshall is now resigned.) The Board set up temporary policies to continue the program in the fifteen- overcrowded schoolhouses and transpor- tation for both the public and parochial child, while continuing the secondary pupils in East Aurora and Lancaster High Schools. Plans were begun for a new building program to provide an adequate program of education for all of the pupils. In December, 1952, the Board engaged a District Principal, Mr. A. Donald Bartoo, and in February, 1953, Architect Duane Lyman and Associates. A Citizens Committee of about fifty people from the various P.T.A. and Civic Organizations of the Central District was organized to review the plans of the Board for the new building program. Mr. Warren Wilson was elected chairman of this group, and meetings were held throughout the district. In June, 1953, the people voted a $3,760,000 bond issue for the new building program. The plans called for a 240 pupil capacity K-6 Elementary School in Wales, 210 pupil capacity K-6 Elemen- tary School in Marilla, 240 pupil capacity K-3 Primary in West Elma on Rice Road, 420 pupil capacity K-6 Elementary School and a 700 pupil capacity Junior- Senior High School on a common site on Girdle Road in Elma. These schools are designed to serve also as Community centers. The people of the Central District are proud of their new schools; they feel that their children will have equal opportunities in education with the rest of the nation, and they, the parents, may have a direct voice in the kind of program offered. The Iroquois Central District is unique, in providing new buildings for an entire school system. Many individuals, when seeking good schools for their children in the future, will point toward ours. 6

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IN MEMORIAM Mr. Knell, former member of Board of Education. IN ABSENTIA Mr. Marshall, first president of our Board of Education. Dreams do come true. ’Twas in the late 20’s that Ma- nila folks considered school district reorganization; the middle 30’s that Elma folks figured that something should be considered; the late 40’s that Wales folks joined the entire area and became rather excited about a change in school organization. And then in the early 50’s, a dedicated group of hard working people planned, talked with others, who talked with still others, slaved, sacrificed, pleaded, promised, lost weight and sleep, became discouraged, slaved some more and talked with more people, became encour- aged and finally won the battle. Democracy in action - the majority decided and the minority accepted the decision. New buildings and modern equipment are only a part of a good school. School spirit and cour- teous behavior of the younger generations, interest and encouragement of the older generations, an in- spired faculty and administration, a devoted board of education — these make a good school and an atmos- phere in which to acquire a good education. Iroquois has these. Let’s keep them, and continue to prove that we can achieve goals worthy of our inheritance. 5 Walter Knell, merchant and public servant, was elected to the first Central Board of Education and served until his death July 16, 1955. Mr. Knell was a faithful servant, deeply interested in the new schools and the children; he spent unlimited time and effort in attending to school affairs. As operator of the “Blossom Market” he was known to his multitude of friends as honest and cheerful in his dealings. He served his immediate community with valor, and his devotion to his position in the Central School District was beyond reproach. We pay tribute to this public servant, who is greatly missed by the entire commu- nity. Howard Marshall, with a deep interest in better educational facilities for the central district, served on the steering committee and spent many hours in de- veloping the program. During the in- ception of the district, his devotion to the project many times superseded his own private affairs; but he gave of his resources unselfishly, until the District was established. He was elected the first President of the Board of Education, and served during the early planning stages of the schools and during the Bond Issue Campaign. He resigned in August, 1954, when he moved from the central district. Mr. Marshall now re- sides in Miami, Florida. The people who worked with him will long remember his devotion to duty and his enthusiastic efforts toward our present school system. W. R. Buell, our district superintendent, gave untiringly of his time, counsel, and cooperation to the new Iroquois School System.

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ADMINISTRATION CLASS OF 1956: Of all of the opportunities afforded me during my years in government, in- dustry and education, I deem this the most outstanding privilege of all. To have a part in the initial yearbook of the new Iroquois Central School District, is the culmination of an ambitious dream. This, to me, is the reward of many anxious hours of planning and toil, which has resulted in a new school sys- tem with its excellent buildings and equipment. You the Class of 1956, should feel greatly honored in that your names shall be inscribed for all time on the records of this school, as the first class to graduate from it. In the years to come, may you revere the memories of your brief stay here. For many people in the Central District you represent a manifes- tation of hopes and aspirations for better educational opportunities. I am sure this yearbook will attest to your part in ful- Mr. A. Donald Bartoo, Principal of Disirict filling these hopes and aspirations. As the chief administrative officer of the Central District, I congratulate you and your sponsor, and extend to you best wishes on this, the “maiden voyage” of the Iroquoiati. Congratulations to the Class of 1956: Honor and pride is yours — members of the FIRST graduating class of Iro- quois Central High School! You are making tradition and leaving footprints for all to follow. Your training will be tested by the demands of the world. With knowledge, with the skills to earn a living, with truth and sincerity as your shield, may you become worthwhile citizens of our great nation. I shall recall with much pleasure and happiness each member of the Class of 1956. Mr. Russell E. Corser, High School Principal