History

 

By Mr. Sam Townsend, Superintendent 1968 -1997

 

This history was written in 1997 by Mr. Sam Townsend, as he prepared to retire from his position as longtime Clay Center Public School Superintendent.  The alumni association has made an attempt to update budget figures and names of administrators from 1997 to 2010 in order to make this portion of Mr. Townsend’s original history as current as possible. Sam updated this history shortly before his death in the fall of 2010.  That added history is included and follows the listing of enrollment figures for the Clay Center School District.

 

 

CLAY CENTER PUBLIC SCHOOL

 

     Formal education had its beginning in Clay Center with a subscription school taught by Mrs. Charles Wanser.  Mrs. Wanser’s classes began in the year 1880 with each child being charged fifty cents per month to attend.

     Available records indicate that public education had its beginning in Clay Center in 1881.  In that year Mr. I.D. Newell, the county superintendent, in a letter authorized Mr. George Birge, a local banker, to call a meeting to elect officers and organize school district #70.

     The original school district was comprised of 5 1/4 sections of land contiguous to the town of Clay Center. 

     The organizational meeting for the district was held in W.D. Young’s carpenter shop.  The first officers of the school district elected at that meeting were: C.J. Martin, director; James Urquhart, moderator; and Charles Lunn, treasurer.

     The first annual meeting of the Clay Center School District was held on April 4, 1881, and by a vote of 21 to 9 a bond issue in the amount of $280.00 was authorized.  A short time after the passage of the bond issue Clay Center had its first school building.  This first school, a frame structure, measured 18 by 28 feet and was located on what is now South Clay Avenue.

     The first teachers in the Clay Center School, after it was converted to a public school, were Mr. and Mrs. William Walters.  The school began to outgrow its facilities almost from the day of its opening.  This is evidenced by the fact that only three years after the original building was erected, a 16 by 18 foot addition was built.

     As the population of the district and school enrollment continued to grow in the eighteen eighties, school facilities once again became inadequate.  A meeting of district patrons was called in September 1887 to make a decision about a new school house location.  There were definitely opposing factions present at the meeting which made selection of the school location very difficult.  The opposing groups were able to resolve their differences successfully enough to pass a bond issue in 1888 for construction of a four-room school building.  The amount of the bond issue was $3,000.00.  However, classroom space was still inadequate so the district was forced to rent classroom space in various locations in town.

     In 1903 the district issued bonds in the amount of $7,000.00 to provide additional classroom space for its growing enrollment.  The building constructed with this bond was the first part of the brick building that is still being used by the district.

     Six years later in 1909, another bond issue in the amount of $18,000.00 was passed by voters of the district. Then from 1909 until 1929, the school building in Clay Center remained essentially unchanged.  In January 1929, the Board of Education, recognizing a need for more ground and classroom space, purchased additional ground and completed construction of an addition to the building once again.  This 1929 addition was used primarily as a high school and contained a combination gymnasium and auditorium that was considered to be one of the finest in the area at that time.  The cost of this addition,

which adequately served the public school for the next thirty-seven years, was $75,000.00.  Board of Education members at the time the building was completed were: Hjalmar A. Swanson, president; H.B. Campbell; D.B. Massie; Calvin Rollans; T.O. Ticnor; and Wayne Moger.  These men worked many long hours to secure a building of great quality for the district.

     During the nineteen thirties the district encountered some financial difficulties which were due largely to the small area of the district and, therefore, the small taxable base.  The situation was made more difficult by several years of extremely dry weather, which produced an adverse economic impact on the taxpayers of the district.  The hard times, however, did not deter the efforts of local residents and the school from providing good educational opportunities for the young people of the community.

     Changing enrollment trends in rural areas and a need for an expanded curriculum brought about a large amount of school consolidation in the mid-nineteen fifties.  Small rural schools, usually located only three or four miles apart to make them easily accessible to the rural students, were offering instruction only at the elementary level and were usually staffed by only one teacher.  These schools provided a good basic education to the students for many years and also served a second important function.  They were the hub of the small rural community where the residents would often gather to attend school performances, picnics, community play days, or other community functions.  The closeness with which the schools bonded the communities together created some reluctance within the rural districts when the consolidation movement began.  However, at this time of consolidation, the Clay Center District was expanded by having all or major parts of eleven rural districts attached to it.

     Merging of the rural districts with the Clay Center District created a need for provision of better transportation.  In 1954 the Clay Center Schools began operating school busses to transport rural students to and from school.

     The merging of the rural districts with the Clay Center District was probably one of the more important events in the history of the district.  This action brought added financial stability to the district by increasing the district valuation, which increased from $835,000.00 in 1953 to $3,278,000.00 in 1957.  During this time the school enrollment also increased from 198 students in 1953-54 to 266 students in 1957-58.

     The increased school enrollment and curriculum needs again dictated that the Board of Education consider expanded building needs in the mid-nineteen sixties.  Further school consolidation was a matter under consideration in many Nebraska school districts at that particular time.  Citizens of the Clay Center District discussed the proposal of combining the district with Edgar, Fairfield, Glenvil, and Deweese to form a larger district.  However, residents of the Clay Center District recognized the importance of maintaining a school in their own town and approved, by an approximate majority of three to one, the issuance of $440,000.00 in bonds to construct a new high school.  The bonds were issued on July 1, 1966 with construction beginning shortly afterwards.

     The high school building, constructed by Carmichael Construction Company of Hastings, became available for use in the fall of 1967 and contained a gymnasium, library, band room, industrial arts shop, science laboratory, home economics room, and several classrooms.  The new building was extremely well received by the students because of the large gymnasium and the air conditioning.  Board of Education members

at the time the building was constructed were: Nevin Daniels, Glen McCune,

Howard Dahlsten, Russell Eisenhart, Dale Livgren, and Robert Oates.  Superintendent of Schools was Mr. Edward Reiman. 

     The school district has invested a total of $553,280.00 in bond funds to purchase land and construct buildings as of this date.  Current value of the district property is in excess of four million dollars.

     The Clay Center School used the track area at the county fairgrounds for the outdoor sports of track and football each year the school sponsored these activities until the end of World War II.  After World War II, many civic-minded individuals organized and combined their efforts to secure a school athletic field.  This was a very large project requiring a large sum of money, but once again residents of the community proved themselves equal to the task.  A variety of fund raising projects were undertaken and, finally after many hundreds of hours of donated time and labor begun in about 1946, the new athletic facility with a baseball field, football field and cinder track became a reality.  The entire community took great pride in this outstanding facility and officially named it “Mills Field” in honor of Irvin Mills of Clay Center who gave his life for his country in World War II.  The facility was expanded in 1975 through combined efforts of the school district and the City of Clay Center.  With financial assistance from the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, an additional baseball field, a tennis court, a change of location of the existing field and installation of new backstops and improved lighting were accomplished. The athletic field is used for track and football by the school during the school year.  During the summer, the city uses the field for baseball, softball, tennis, and sand volleyball and for all interested persons in the community.

     The Clay Center Schools have always employed a well-qualified faculty to provide its students with a meaningful educational experience enabling them to become productive members of society.

 

     The following superintendents have served the Clay Center Schools:

 

1885-1886 – B.G. Moulton

1886-1887 – T.J. Cowen

1887-1888 – John McFee

1888-1890 – N.M. Graham

1890-1891 – Milo C. King and A.V. Storm

1891-1894 – J.M. Hersh

1894-1896 – D.W. Curtis

1896-1905 – R.V. Clark

1905-1907 – W.L. Dowling

1907-1911 – H.W. Wendland

1911-1913 – T.E. Spencer

1913-1917 – Clara Schneller

1917-1919 – A.B. Rich

1919-1921 – M.C. Bloss

1921-1924 – Ward Haylett

1924-1925 – Harvey A. Smith

1925-1928 – John R. Muhm

1928-1936 – Mark W. Delzell

1936-1942 – Charles Sanderson

1942-1943 – Roy W. Carroll

1943-1946 – Edwin M. Wieland

1946-1948 – John W. Glock

1948-1950 – Maurice T. McCrory

1950-1955 – William T. Classen

1955-1962 – Charles J. Sanderson

1962-1968 – Edward D. Reiman

1968-1997 – Sam Townsend

1997-1999 – Dan Hoesley

1999-2003 – Larry Marcusson

2003-2010 – Lee Sayer

 

     A number of events have occurred in the history of the school that will be treasured memories for its students.  Some of the events include Clay County Field Days, band contests and concerts, class plays, junior-senior banquets and proms, athletic contests, and commencement activities. 

     Many Clay Center students have brought distinction to themselves and the school while participating in a variety of activities.  One student who won special recognition was Duane Buchtel who was selected as “Athlete of the Year” by the Omaha World Herald in 1956.

     Clay Center High School has graduated a total of 2,153 students since 1896 when members of the first class, Jesse Jessup and Ruth Jessup, were granted diplomas.

     Clay Center’s graduates have proceeded to become successful in business, farming, and such professions as law, medicine, entertainment, teaching and research.

 

 

 

CLAY CENTER SCHOOLS TODAY

 

 

     School enrollment for the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 year is 190 students in grades K-12.  The school is fully accredited by the Nebraska Department of Education.  The curriculum includes a balanced program designed to meet the needs of all students whether they are college bound or interested in vocational education.  The present staff includes a professional staff of 26 teachers and administrators and a support staff of 13 employees. 

     The school program offers a full program in special education for those students having special needs.  Art, music and physical education are also available to all students.  Computers and other technological advances are now available and are widely used.

     The public school was always a focal point of activities in the early years and is even more so in the 2008-2009 school year.  In sports, Clay Center offers football, wrestling, basketball, track, golf and cross-country for boys and volleyball, basketball, track, golf and cross-country for girls.  Basketball for girls in Clay Center was first offered in modern times in 1977-1978.

     Other activities at Clay Center High School include band, chorus, speech, quiz bowl and dramatics.  Students in these activities have received many high ratings in conference, district and state competitions.

     Clay Center High School became a member of the Crossroads Conference in 2000.  The conference includes Clay Center, Dorchester, McCool Junction, Meridian, Hampton, Giltner, Rising City, High Plains, Shickley and Exeter-Milligan.

     The total annual cost of operating the school in 2008-2009 was $3,269,859.00 and this is derived from a local tax levy of about 1.455 cents per $100.00 valuation.  Less than one half of the budget comes from state and federal sources.  The total valuation of the district in 2008 was $105,871,523.00.

     The students of the present day school face the challenge of acquiring the vast amount of knowledge necessary to lead successful lives in the highly technical society that exists today.  Major changes in recent years have been the addition of computers, distance learning and other technological advances in education.  The residents of the community are assisting its young people to meet this challenge by providing the necessary human and financial resources.  The school district like other small districts in rural Nebraska is experiencing a decline in enrollment.  This is due in part to a change in the rural economy and smaller family size.  This issue of lower enrollment may represent a challenge for the district in the future as it attempts to meet the educational needs of its young people in a rapidly changing society.

     Public education has come a long way in Clay Center since the original school was opened in a small one-room structure on South Clay Avenue.  The youth of today are challenged to consider the changes that have been made in the total program, changes that were brought about in an attempt to provide improvement in the educational opportunities available to them.  It is hoped that maximum use will be made of these opportunities.

 

 

CLAY CENTER ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

 

 

    Prior to 1932 several attempts were made to form an alumni association, but these attempts were met with only limited success.  In 1932 the Clay Center High School Alumni Association was officially organized and has met continuously since that time.  The association meets each year on Saturday evening of Memorial Day weekend.  The meeting is primarily social in nature and attracts approximately 100-150 past graduates and their spouses from throughout the United States. 

     The alumni banquet is one of Clay Center’s social highlights of the year and provides an opportunity for the graduates to meet and renew many friendships with former classmates, and faculty, and to relive for a brief time those cherished memories of bygone school days.

     The association awards at least two scholarships each year to seniors from the current year’s graduating class.  The association also donates funds each year for various improvement projects at the school.

     The banquet traditionally recognizes the graduates from the current year and honors classes each five-year interval.  By tradition the meeting concludes with the singing of the Clay Center High School fight song, which seems to remind those present of the many happy times spent in Clay Center High School.

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

 

    Valuable assistance in the original preparation of this material was given by the following people:

 

1. Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Leopold, retired teachers and long-time residents of Clay Center.
2. Miss June Nieman, Clay Center native and local historian.
3. Mr. and Mrs. Russell Swanson who allowed use of notes by the late Hjalmar A. Swanson who was a local businessman, civic leader, and longtime member of the Clay Center Board of Education.
4. Mr. Charles J. Sanderson, Clay Center native and former Clay Center School Superintendent and Clay County Superintendent.
5. Mr. Lee Sayer, Superintendent, Clay Center School.

 

ENROLLMENT FOR CLAY CENTER SCHOOL DISTRICT #70

 

 

1910-1911           264

1911-1912           311

1912-1913           317

1913-1914           270

1914-1915           282

1915-1916           294

1916-1917           296

1917-1918           305

1918-1919           292

1919-1920           277

1920-1921           281

1921-1922           278

1922-1923           273

1923-1924           255

1924-1925           264

1925-1926           262

1926-1927           255

1927-1928           255

1928-1929           264

1929-1930           270

1930-1931           270

1931-1932           255

1932-1933           265

1933-1934           263

1934-1935           240

1935-1936           248

1936-1937           258

1937-1938           220

1938-1939           247

1939-1940           201

1940-1941     195

1941-1942           178

1942-1943           201

1943-1944           222

1944-1945           247

1945-1946           230

1946-1947           219

1947-1948           235

1948-1949           220

1949-1950           194

1950-1951     199

1951-1952           192

1952-1953           213

1953-1954           198

1954-1955           234

1955-1956           248

1956-1957           251

1957-1958           266

1958-1959           271

1959-1960           271

1960-1961           273

1961-1962           278

1962-1963           286

1963-1964           286

1964-1965           211

1965-1966           301

1966-1967           315

1967-1968           317

1968-1969           335

1969-1970           363

1970-1971           329

1971-1972           333

1972-1973           351

1973-1974           357

1974-1975           345

1975-1976           346

1976-1977           328

1977-1978           322

1978-1979           302

1979-1980           283

1980-1981           269

1981-1982           270

1982-1983           244

1983-1984           243

1984-1985           231

1985-1986           216

1986-1987           216

1987-1988           226

1988-1989           230

1989-1990           228

1990-1991      220

1991-1992           239

1992-1993           238

1993-1994           242

1994-1995           249

1995-1996           253

1996-1997           250

1997-1998           260

1998-1999           249

1999-2000           253

2000-2001           229

2001-2002           227

2002-2003           218

2003-2004           202

2004-2005           190

2005-2006           199

2006-2007           203

2007-2008     193

2008-2009     190

2009-2010     190