Larger Building Needed as Enrollment
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With an increasing enrollment, a larger building was planned. On March 10, 1913, an election was held to issue bonds. The vote carried 62 to 33. They decided to erect a two-room building using cement blocks manufactured at Lansing. This building still stands and is the home of the Robbie Burrett family.
The Waterville Consolidated School was organized in 1920 with the rural school districts of Paint Creek Township, with Gabe Pederson as the first President of the School Board. This was one of the earliest consolidated districts in Iowa. |
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The Waterville Consolidated School building was erected in 1921-1922. It was a three-story brick building with the first floor having five rooms, the second floor had seven rooms and the third floor had five rooms. It was equipped with a steam heating plant which would take 100 ton of coal per year. The cost of the building was $85,000.
The Waterville Consolidated School opened September 5, 1922, with 43 students in High School, including: 3 Seniors, 7 Juniors, 10 Sophomores, and 23 Freshmen. There were 146 students in the grades. The teaching staff consisted of 5 High School and 4 Elementary teachers. Mr. L. Hagie was the first Superintendent. The school colors were old gold and purple. This was changed around 1933 or 1934 to blue and white. The "Tigers" was the School's team name. Waterville High School was outstanding in sports with the Waterville High School Girls going to State Basketball Tournaments at least 8 times. The Music Department was outstanding in music contests also, and presented many fine musical programs. Waterville High School produced many students who developed very successful careers. In 1952-1953, the new addition was added to the School Building, providing a new gym, four classrooms, industrial arts area, and larger lunchroom and kitchen. In 1959, the Harpers Ferry High School closed. Some of the students came to Waterville High School. In 1960, the last class graduated from Waterville High School. This was a sad ending of an era for many Waterville people, but we are happy to have a fine Elementary School with 151 students in kindergarten through 6th grade here in 1981. -By Margaret Monserud |