Waterloo West High School - Wahawk Yearbook (Waterloo, IA)

Page 17 text:

Administration From its origin, as only the ninth grade in the West Waterloo Public School, to the magnificent institution it is today, the history of West High School has been one of continuous development. Today it stands as an ever-growing monument to those who have made it possible. During its early years, the entire school system was located in the old Central Building, now a landmark in West Waterloo. In 1870 an addition was made to this building to house the high school, and in 1878 a committee was appointed to plan a program of studies. Thus the West High School of today first achieved an entity of its own. From the Central Building, the West Waterloo High School first moved in 1901 to what is now the Sloane Wallace Building, and then to the present building in 1922. In 1876, when the first class was graduated with three members, there were but nine grades in the school. The addition of the tenth, eleventh and twelfth i grades in 1877, 1882, and 1885 respectively gave West Waterloo a four-year high school. The history of the administration of the high school shows the same gradual de- velopment. In the earliest days of the school, the teacher of the highest grade acted as the superintendent or principal, one person serving in both capacities. It is not known just when these two positions were made separate, except that as early as 1898 an annual speaks of a certain teacher as a principal, although the official records do not. In 1906 Sloane M. Wallace, now deceased, was appointed high school principal. He continued as principal until 1924, when Fred J. Kluss, now of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was appointed. He served until 1928, when William W. Gibson was elected to this position. The citizens of West Waterloo, and especially West High's 8955 alumni, point with pride to their high school as one of the most outstanding in the state. WAHAWK

Page 16 text:

Administration Public education in West Waterloo has made vast progress during the past century. Today, our system of public schools comprises eight grade schools, three junior high schools, and one large high school. During the years from 1858, when the first school was held in a log building on the west side, to 1866, there were several subdistricts, but in 1866 an election was held to establish the Independent School District of Waterloo. In 1870 the first brick school building ever erected in the city was constructed at a cost of fl512,765.00. To this Central building additions were made in 1870, 1884 and 1896. The building was also remodeled in 1927. The Emerson grade building was erected in 1896, with additions made in 1906 and 1916. The Lowell building was constructed in 1897 with an addition made later. West High was added to the system in 1901. Whittier grade school was built in 1906, with addi- tions in 1909 and 19l5g Washington Irving in 19135 Edison in 1914, with an addi- tion in 1936 to include a junior high school, Kingsley in 1919. The present West High building was completed in 1922. An annex of the Whittier building, now the Riverview school, was moved to the Lowell district in 1928 and accommodates a kindergarten and first and second grades. The new Lowell building was construct- ed in 1931. Castle Hill school was annexed to the West District in 1987 by vote of the people of both districts. The following administrators have served the West Waterloo Schools since the establishment of the 12-grade system in 1885: 1885 - Chas. D. Moyer 1897 - S. H. Shealzley 1922 - J. C. McGlade 1889 - E. H. Eastman 1899 - A. T. Hulaill 1924 - S. Nl. Wallace 1891 - Geo. Bateman 1919 - H. D. Lee Succeeding Mr. Wallace, Mr. Charles A. Kittrell was elected Superintendent of Schools, in which position he has continued since 1926. The pioneers of education in Waterloo built well for succeeding generations. No pride in our splendid buildings and our fine school system can overlook what they, with their far-sighted ideals, have done for us. The future of civilized life is in the free school, maintained by and serving all the people impartially. Knowing what has been done, and realizing what is still to do, we would carry the torch on toward the goal to which the glorious past of our forefathers urges us. The 1938

Page 18 text:

Administration MR. GEORGE FIELDS, B. A., M. A. MRS. MAUDE PALMER, M. Di., B. Ph., M. A. Assistant Principal English Chemistry MISS DORIS DAVIS MR. DONALD AMES, B. E. Secretary English Public Speaking MR. WILLIAM GIBSON, B. A., M. A. MRS. FLORENCE SCHNASSE, B. S., M. A. MR. GORDON MEETEH, B. A Principal Girls' Adviser World History Social Problems ' Track Xl' MISS MABEL ELLER, B. A., M. A. MR. FINN ERIKSEN, B. S., M. A. MISS AMANDA ANDERSON, B. A., M. A. Social ' nce Physical Education English Wrestling MR. GLEN STROBRIDGE, B. A. MISS BESSIE YOUNG, B. A., M. A. Physical Education Typing Football Basketball MISS LEILA WASSOM, B. A., M. A. MISS MAE HOWELL, B. A., M. A. German Mathematics English Bible The 1958 ' 14