William Chrisman High School - Gleam Yearbook (Independence, MO)

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The Gleam Page 13 i Left to Right-Mr. Ott. Mr. Van Smith, Mr. Hinde, Mr. Street, Mr. Luff, Mrs. Martin, Mrs. Dickinson, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Brown. SCHOOL BOARD Looking back over this successful year of school, we try to find the things that have made it so. The fellowship and friends that have been found is one, certainly. The fac- ulty, the principal, and the community itself have also added to the success, but looking still farther we find that loyal and earnest group of men and women whom we know as the School Board. Through times that have been somewhat trying we Find them giving their time and service so that the children of Independence and vicinity may have a thorough foundation for the future. Through the efforts of the School Board, Independence has one of the finest systems of education in Missouri. There are forty-one credits to receive in William Chrisman besides athletics. The variety of the credits and the high rating of the faculty have made this school one of the ufirst-class schools of the North Central Association. The School Board has charge of the largest business in this community. The property and buildings of this educational system have the value of about one fourth million dollars. The appointment of about two hundred persons for teaching and care of the buildings is one of its many duties. It has given to Chrisman in the last few years a new annex and a new athletic Field of which the school is justly proud. Therefore, the Seniors of William Chrisman, who have sponsored this yearbook, The Gleam, wish to dedicate this page as an appreciation for the service they have received from the Independence School Board. 1933

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Page 14 The Gledfm OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM The first schools of Independence w e r e established in 1 8 66 through the many ef- forts of the towns- people. Each year the enrollment grew and in 1906 it reached 2,000. lt took another fifteen years for it to reach 3,0-12. This was in the year 1921, when our present su- perintendent, E. B. Street, came to Inde- pendence. By 1924 the enrollment had m o u n t e d another thousand, numbering 4,115 students. This increasing enrollment necessitated the build- ing of additional schools. It was not until the ' year 1881 that Inde- pendence was able to keep her schools open for nine months. There was much strife and controversy over the Nl R. S'l'REE'l' school system at this time, so many of the records are not clear and some are completely lost. In 1885 Ott School was built. lt was from this school that the First class of seven members were graduated in the year 1889. The first scholarship medal was awarded by the Board of Education in 1892. In 1894 two steps were taken forward in the progress of the school system. Art and music were introduced in the schools and the library was established. In 1916-17 the original William Chrisman was built. The new annex of this building was built in 1931. The exterior architecture of the annex was copied after that of the old building, so they would match. At Superintendent Street's ofiice in the Iunior High Building there is an amazing amount of work accomplished. This year approximately 30,000 free texts were issued. This work is personally supervised in this office. All supplies in way of playground equip- ment, medical supplies, etc., are kept on hand here to be supplied to the schools on demand. Each year there is a definite program to be worked out. Some of the projects were supervised athletics, personal cleanliness, library books for each child, and reseating of grade pupils to proper sized seats. The enumeration each year has become quite an item. For each child between the age of six and twenty the state pays money to provide school children with free texts. Only by the eflicient management of Superintendent Street and his secretary, Miss Chastain, has this vast amount of work been successfully done. Mr. Dillon, State High School Supervisor, acclaimed Chrisman to be among the most eficient schools in the state. 1933