Trumbull County Public Schools - Annual Yearbook (Trumbull County, OH)

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Brookfield HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY First row Cleft to rigbtj: W. 1. jenkins, Doroiby Biggin, Cloarlotte jones, G. E. Wbiferaff, Wade Wfolfe, Mildred Calrlwell, Margaref Elle, W. G. Hopper. Second row Qleff to rigbtj: Guy Henry, j. IS. Wbilcraff, H. D. Cleveland, Russell Caldwell, Plailip Koppel, H. C. Hulme. Sometime near 1900 congestion, not hereto- fore experienced, developed in the schools of the eastern side of the township, and this necessitated the building of a frame structure on Brookfield Avenue in 1904. Only four years later, a similar one of brick veneer was built between Masury and Slope. These, of course, permitted the abandonment of two older schools. Although centralization was in the minds of citizens, the nature of the several centers of population of the township made this out of the question and undesirable. However, the newer popularity of education had fastened itself upon the ambitions of many persons for some time and the opportunities of the Box- well and Patterson examinations did make the establishment of a centralized high school de- sirable- Accordingly, in 1911-1912, a four- room brick school of one story was construct- ed at Brookfield Center for housing the high school and some grade pupils. School expenses and population both stead- ily and rapidly advanced, and four years after the opening of the high school, new rooms be- came necessary. Through political involv- ment, the building of the high school was de- layed until the midst of the war and the ad- vance in prices made necessarymany economies and slashing of plans. After completion and installation of equipment, a first grade charter was granted in 1918. Enlarging the Masury building was the next improvement. John Steveson loaned money to the Board of Education for its construction as well as donating money for additional rooms, cement walks and grading of lawns. The high school museum is also his gift. Further crowding made necessary the addi- tion of the high school, and condemning of the Brookfield Avenue building resulted in the new Addison School. Later, a new building was necessary at Masury and it was named in honor of Mr. Steveson. Portables were con- structed from time to time and the latest de- velopment is the new Curtis building in the northeast corner. Q l l

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- Broolkihielld WADE sum: uoomiltm History of Brookfield School In common with most Ohio rural communi- ties of more than a century ago, BrookHeld's youth had its first Contact with learning in a log house on Big Yankee Creek. This was in 1807, and for a number of years, education seemed to occupy a meager part of people,s thoughts---according to the available historical data. ln the early years, the township was divided into thirteen school districts and one-room schools were built in them. The township trustees functioned as the Board of Educa- tion. A three-month term was the length of the school year and this was held in the win- ter, when children could be spared from the homes. A longer term was out of the ques- tiong the taxes did not permit it. Log walls, slab seats, and windows of oiled paper-such were the appointments of these early structures. Later on they grew more elaborate and real lumber was used through- Out. These schools were mainly under their own direction: the teachers had their own course of study, there was strong discipline, and al- most aitotal lack of supervision. Like lchabod Crane, the teacher was obliged to board with various parents. Many of the teachers were imported from the eastern sections. The first real school boards originated shortly after the Civil War, because of a new law which provided for the election of school boards separately from the trustees. Three men were elected in each of the thirteen dis- tricts, and they were the first and last word of law for the particular school which they governed. Within a short time this plan changed to one by which each district elected one member to a township board which elected its own president and clerk. This was later changed to the present method of electing the school board at the regular township election.

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Brwwkiileld GRADE SCHOOL BUILDING GWO GRADE SCHOOL PRINCIPALS Brookfield, I. E. Wbitcraft ' Elm Street, Dale H. Clevelaml Adclison, Arfie S. Iones Str'-venson, N. D. Kepner E Curtis, Fred L. Groves