School District History
by Gayle Henry
March 01, 2007
The first school was a small one-room building that was moved in from the country in the early 1870's and placed on the present school site. School District #56 of Butler County was organized on March 21, 1874. The annual report for the school year of 1876-77 showed the school site valued at $30, and the school building at $400.
The first brick building was constructed in 1874, and a few years later a high school was added. Miss Libbie Westover became the first graduate of David City High School in 1886. The next class, with 5 students, graduated in 1890. When the building was destroyed by a tornado on July 29, 1887, it was replaced with a two-story brick structure in 1888. The three departments in the school were: Primary with90 students, Intermediate with 89 students, and Grammar with 82 students. Professor R.V. Beach, ex-county superintendent of schools took charge of the school.
The North Ward school building, located on 5th Street, between K and L Streets was built in 1888. The building was sold in October 1947, and the site divided into lots which were sold on January 30, 1948. The site is now a residential area.
During the years of 1913-1916, the school became over-crowded and two grades were moved to rooms above the Albright Music Store, on the east side of the town square.
The present high school building was erected in 1916 just south of the former building, and was ready for the opening of school in 1917. The former high school building had been destroyed by fire shortly before opening day at the new building.
The name, "SCOUTS" was submitted to the annual staff by Cecil McCracken, Class of 1926, during the 1927 school year. It was accepted and since that time, our school mascot and nickname has been the "SCOUTS".
After the North Ward building was sold in 1947, students were sent to the South Ward. The second floor of the South Ward was remodeled into apartments for two faculty members. The South Ward building located on A Street, between 5th and 6th Streets, was sold at auction on January 13, 1962, and the lots sold on April 18, 1964 and became a residential area.
The first school bus was purchased in August of 1947 by a group of interested business men. At that time there were 5 bus routes in operation. In early 1973, buses were equipped with two-way systems, with the base in the high school office.
The school lunch program was started in September, 1948 and meals were served at the high school building until relocation at the elementary school after 1961.
An On-The-Farm Veteran program began in March of 1948. During 1950, 1951 and 1952, there were five (5) Veteran instructors hired for approximately 125 registered veteran students. The program ended in January of 1961.
A Shop building was purchased in 1951 and was located one block west of the high school, currently the site of the Senior Center. The Vocational Agriculture and Industrial Arts departments were housed in that building. Previously, these classes were held in a rented building that was Oak Creek Foods, located across the alley south of the Thorpe Opera House.
An active Alumni Association was organized in May of 1951. Graduates are enthused about this organization and lend their support. A new format for the banquet was adopted in 1971. The annual Alumni Reunion is held on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.
E.J. Davis served as superintendent during the formative years from 1955-1971, a time when many changes and improvements took place in the David City Public Schools system, a time of expansion and growth.
In June, 1958, the school received a grant for a music foundation from Henry Cox of Pella, Iowa. The foundation was given in honor of his wife, Queene Snow-Cox, who graduated from DCHS in 1899. Monies from this foundation are used for scholarships for students who wish to go into the music profession, music camps and other related projects. The Queene Snow-Cox Music Foundation trust agreement was signed August 20, 1958 with $2,000 in assets, and by 1964 had grown to $10,500. The first scholarship was presented in 1966.
As the result of a bond levy of $195,000 passed by the voters in District #56 on February 18, 1960, a new elementary building was constructed, replacing the South and North Ward schools. The elementary school was in session by September of 1961, and the dedication was held on November 12, 1961. Board members at that time were: Lillie Magilton, Jerome Rehor, Robert Gingery, Edgar Thomas, Harold Zinnecker, Marjorie Foreman and Mary Robins. Marjorie Foremen was appointed to the Board when Lillie Magilton moved from David City and was later elected to the board where she served many years.
While District 56 traditionally has served a large part of Butler County, a number of school districts in the county have dissolved and joined the district. Many individual land owners have also attached to this district. In 1961, the Bellwood High School closed and since then a large number of Bellwood students have attended David City High School.
The Board of Education participated in the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965, (Title One-Federal Aid) during the 1967-68 School Year, and this program remains a part of the curriculum, now Called Chapter I. The first classes were held in a residential building in North David City, called the David City Public Schools Annex.
In 1968, two additional classrooms were added to the Elementary School because of over-crowding. In 1972, another classroom and Art Department, which was a K-12 program were added. Both additions were paid for through the Special Building Fund.
The school observed its Centennial in 1974 with an Open House which was attended by many former educators, students and friends.
Improvements in the 1970's, 80's and 90's included the refinishing of the exterior of the high school building and the installation of energy efficient windows when grants were available for that purpose. In November of 1982, construction began on the Vocational/Fine Arts addition and was completed in November of 1983. This new addition provided classrooms and space for 5 curriculum areas: Vocatonal Agriculture, Industrial Arts, Vocal Music, Instrumental Music and Art. The total cost was $580,254 and was paid for by the time construction was completed. In February 1985, the Activities Center was built. Fund from the Sinking Fund, Lease-Purchase bonds, and donations made this building possible. Alumni donors contributed more than $38,000 of the $77,500 total donations. The 17,600 sq.ft. addition, at a cost of $795,678 was paid for within 5 years of completion.
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A pride in the maintenance, repair and upkeep of school property and buildings has been retained. School Board members, administrators, faculty, support staff amd patrons continue to strive for improvements in curriculum and educational opportunities for all students.
The above information was compiled by Mildred (Miny) Reddy Smith, a life-long resident of David City graduated from DCHS in 1930. From May 3, 1948 to July 1, 1957 Miny served on the Board of Education. She resigned her seat on the board to accept a job as school secretary, and served in that position until she retired during the 1979-80 school year. Miny remained active in her support of the David City Public Schools system after her retirement. She served as a consultant to the "Support Our Students" Committee to help pass a 2.9 million dollar bond issue that helped fund the improvements and additions at the Elementary and Secondary buildings in 1997. Miny died on February 23, 2007.
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Dr. Victor Thoendel, President |
Tom Hayes |
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Mark Otte, Vice-President |
Tami Osantowski |
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Linda Carlson, Secretary |
Linda Vandenberg |
Heather Yates, Treasurer (non-Board member)
Jerry Phillips, Superintendent
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Bill Lentz, HS Principal |
James Bathen, Elementary Principal Tom Jahde, Bellwood Center & MS Principal |
ALUMNI UPDATE
The annual Alumni Reunion will be on May 26, 2007. The day begins with the Golf Tournament, followed by the Open House at the High School. The activities then move to the City Auditorium for the Banquet/Dance.
Honor Years for 2007 are those ending in 2 and 7
Letters of invitation for the honored years were mailed out in February and the non-honored years will be mailed out in March.
If you know any grad who has not received any mailings, please have them contact me, Gayle, by one of the following:
e-mail: grandmagayle@windstream.net
phone: 402.367.3396 or mail PO Box 336,
David City NE 68632
(since I am no longer employed with the school district mail should not be sent to the school but to the above PO Box)
INFORMATION PERTAINING TO INDIVIDUAL CLASS PARTIES WILL BE LISTED IN THE SECTION "Banquet Information" WHEN I KNOW THE PARTICULARS. IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE FROM YOUR CLASS THAT IS PLANNING ACTIVITIES FOR YOUR CLASS, PLEASE HAVE THEM CONTACT ME SO THAT INFORMATION CAN BE ENTERED.
GO SCOUTS!
