Mercedes High School - Bengal Yearbook (Mercedes, TX)

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School Board . . . The Mercedes Independent Srliool District was officially organized on June 13, 1908, at which time the newly elected members ofthe Board nf Education met with the Hidalgo County Superintendent ot'Schoo1s, Mr. R.E. Marsh. Mr. Marsh instructed the Board as to methods and procedures for actually opening a school. On Septemberll, l908the first schoolwas conducted in rented buildings, with four teachers as the initial faculty. During the 1910 school terrn, the first bond issue was voted and a small School was erected to be the property ofthe District. This was the beginning of the Harriet Claycomb School which was located on the block now known as the Sproles Property . At the same time, a school was erected in the North part of town forthe convenience of the children living in that area. The trustees found it necessary to employ nine teachers forthe 1911-IZ school year and at that time officially designated the head teacher or principal as the superintendent. If our records are correct, a 1V1r. J.M. Hamlett was the first person to hold this position. On April 88, 1917, the Thirty-Fifth Legislature, by special enactment, increased the district to its presentsize of 36.4 square miles. Roughly speaking, the District extends from Mile Three on the South to Mile Twelve North and from the Cameron County line on the East to Mile One West. In 1919 bonds were voted to build a new high School--the building now used for the South Elementary School. This building was completedand occupied earlyin 1921. During 1927 the Junior High School building was completed and this unit was opened as a separate school, with a principal of its own. The Senior High Schooland the Cafeteria-Gymnasiumwere occupied in 1931. At this time the old high school was completely renovated, four classrooms were added, and it became the South Elementary School. In the depression yea rs of 1932-33, the .Tumor-Senior High Schools were combined as a six year high school in order that one principal might be utilizedvby both schools and that teachers might be more readily used in both departments. In the opinion of the Board of Education, this organization was not only more economical but seemed to be the most practical and has been continued as a permanent system. The Mercedes Schools were among the first inthe entire State of Texas to adopt the twelve year program. The plan was adopted in 1935 beginning with the primary department and progressed through the system so that the 11147 graduating class was the first to have actually been in school forthe full twelve yea rs. The program on a State wide basis has been in vogue for some five or six years. The first superintendent's report, ofwhichvue have a record, is that submitted in 1915 by Superintendent William Dietel. His report indicatesthfitatotaloffll1 students were enrolled in all grades, 43 in high school and 4 inthe senior class. Mr. Dietel was followedas supe rintendentby Miss Nanriie Mer Buck who held the position until 1924. She in turn, was followed by 1V1r. C.Vl'. Taylor and Mr. H.E. Millsap. Mr. Ernest H. Poteet became super- intendentin l9Z6and served until he moved to Harlingen in 1941. Mr. Leon Grahm was superintendent from 1941 until 1751. Mr. L.W. St. Clair is the present .-dministrative head ofthe Mercedes Schools. 1 I I I SITTING: MR. T.B. EWING, DR. T.G. EDWARDS, MR. JOE WINSTON, PRESIDENTQ MR. L.W. ST. CLAIR, MR. BILL DILLON. STANDING: MR. CLYDE HOLLON, MR. JAMES MCELYEA, MR,FRED JOHNSTON. SECRETARY TO THE BOARD: NIR. E.E. MARCHANT.

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Administration . . . ,111 1..w5M:,,W..M., ...V , ,,1 '17 , gf.. C144-41-' ' -hifi-L 4- MR. L.W. ST. CLAIR MRS. CURTIS REAGAN Superintendent Secretary 1951 - 'g5,::' .... .Sf ,.......... :WSL AT ' 5-Q 4, 'L. I j in , X 5 , Vx I nf VY I K 1-he v X I I ll: if 1 V QM - H uf nf V - N- -1- QTTUIIUITEIIII L I il jg .. N -vnu-uma' 0' ' ' f+'f2f': 5 'N . , -L ,-4 ,fi,.,,A ' H Q 4 , 1 , ,.,.,., fffvsi-fi ,xfgfsfs Vw J,'xwt1,- ., ,- I - , -.-59 . Q MRS. STANLEY F. CERNOSEK MR. STANLEY F, CERNOSEK Secretary 1952 Principal

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