HISTORY OF EKW SCHOOL DISTRICT 1959-1962
ARTICLES FROM LOCAL PAPERS BACK IN 1959
- WILTON MERGER WITH E-K CREATES 15.5 MILLION DISTRICT
- SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S DENY WILTON/TOMAH MERGER
- SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S DENY KENDALL/NORWALK/ONTARIO MERGER
- CATHERINE COLLINS RESIGNS FROM BOARD
- REFERENDUM FOR $450,000 BOND ISSUE PASSES
- VOTERS CHOOSE GAMERDIGER SITE -- 809-445
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WILTON MERGER WITH E-K CREATES 15.5 MILLION DISTRICT
When Wilton's school district was merged with the Kendall-Elroy district
on July 22nd1960, a new district with a
valuation of approximately 15.5 million dollars was created.
The merger was approved by a 10-7 vote by members of the
Monroe, Vernon and Juneau county school committees.
The same group had previously vetoed the same merger.
August 25th 1960 is the date set for the districts to integrate. The new districts will
operate with two high schools for the time being, one in Elroy and one in Wilton. Wilton
Highschool has and enrollment about 135 students
and Kendall-Elroy about 283.
More than 200 people attended the meeting with about 60 expressing vocally their support of the proposed merger.
Chief controversy at the meeting centered around the fear of many of the people that they might be forced to join forces with Norwalk-Ontario district which is in the process of planning a high school for Oil City a rural location.
Many Wiltonites formed a parade which entered the meeting and had its members each give their reasons for wishing to integrate with Kendall-Elroy. Many thought they could never achieve any real harmony with the Norwalk-Ontario group and would much prefer merger with Kendall-Elroy.
Superintendent Herman Lastach and Board President Wallace A. Brady of the Kendall- Elroy district said that Wilton would be most welcome in their district and pointed out some of the benefits which they would receive.
At its annual meeting held the 25th of July, Wilton adopted a budget of $171,750 with a tax levy of $61,700. Last year the tax levy was $99,261.66. Had the integration not occurred and the district received only basic aids this year, the tax levy would have been $113,700.
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The following articles were taken from July 22nd and July 29th - 1960 Issue
of the Kendall Keystone. Courtesy of Bill Smith - Present Editor.
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NEW WILTON PLEA TO JOIN E-K DISTRICT; HEARING FRIDAY JULY 22nd 1960.
The second try in less than two months for the integration of Wilton and Kendall-Elroy districts will be had when Wilton's new petition is heard Friday night, at the Wilton Gymnasium.
The first petition was denied the last week of May by a count of 7-11, the decision being rendered by the county school committees of the area's counties.
Since that decision the school committees have rejected Wiltons's plea to join with Tomah and a reconciliation attempt of Wilton, Ontario and Norwalk, has failed. Wilton wishes to keep her relatively new school intact rather than build on a rural site purchased by Ontario and Norwalk.
There is considerable feeling that Wilton would be welcome in the Kendall- Elroy setup and would form a school consolidation of such magnitude that these districts would not again be vulnerable to further integration pressures by the state for many years to come and the additional integration would bring a big tax saving to Wilton and further reduction to E-K District No 9.
The public is invited to this meeting to voice it opinion on this great educational integration possibility of Kendall, Elroy and Wilton. The meeting will start at 8:30.
Many responsible people from all three communities are hoping for the success of Friday night's integration petition.
The following week - July 29th 1960 the Keystone carried this report:
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S VOTE 10-7 TO JOIN K-E-WILTON.
The county school committees of the interested counties voted 10-7 on Friday night July 22nd 1960 that Wilton should be allowed to integrate with the Kendall-Elroy, Jt District No. 9. The meeting was held in the Wilton gymnasium.
This historic decision forming one of the greatest school districts of its type in this region of the state, was arrived at near midnight, after all the evidence was in.
The vote was almost exact to that when integration was refused in May, when an 11-7 vote blocked Wilton's petition.
The vote, in addition to making top educational courses possible, will provide a tax relief which will be felt in all three areas.
Presentation of the pleas for the petition's passage was considered a masterpiece of organization, done in an atmosphere of mutual cooperation. Further details in next weeks edition.
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Headlines in July 1st 1960 Kendall Keystone
Courtesy of Bill Smith - Present Editor of Kendall Reporter
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WILTON PETITION TO JOIN TOMAH DIST REFUSED BY SCHOOL COMMITTEES, 10-7 - NEW PETITION TO JOIN K-E.
The door was again thrown open for the possible joining of Wilton with Kendall-Elroy Jt. District #9 when the county school committees of Juneau, Monroe, and Jackson counties voted down the petition of the Wilton High school and grade districts for dissolution so they could join Tomah.
The hearing was held Friday night at Wilton. Supt Herman Laatsch attended from Elroy.
Besides a new petition filed at the meeting, asking that Wilton be allowed to join Kendall-Elroy there were also three other petitions filed:
The two later petitions were filed with W. Earl Zepplin, secretary of the Monroe County School Committee, at Wilton Friday night.
The petition asking for attachment to Kendall-Elroy was presented before the vote on the merger with Tomah was announced, but was not acknowledged by Zepplin until after the vote was taken.
The Wilton District now has no legal entanglments which would prevent its merger with any district. The deadline for appeal which was threatened in the merger of Wilton's grade and high school passed on June 23rd, freeing Wilton from any further action.
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Headlines in July 1st 1960 Kendall Keystone
Courtesy of Bill Smith - Present Editor of Kendall Reporter
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WILTON PETITION TO JOIN TOMAH DIST REFUSED BY SCHOOL COMMITTEES, 10-7 - NEW PETITION TO JOIN K-E.
The door was again thrown open for the possible joining of Wilton with Kendall-Elroy Jt. District #9 when the county school committees of Juneau, Monroe, and Jackson counties voted down the petition of the Wilton High school and grade districts for dissolution so they could join Tomah.
The hearing was held Friday night at Wilton. Supt Herman Laatsch attended from Elroy.
Besides a new petition filed at the meeting, asking that Wilton be allowed to join Kendall-Elroy there were also three other petitions filed:
The two later petitions were filed with W. Earl Zepplin, secretary of the Monroe County School Committee, at Wilton Friday night.
The petition asking for attachment to Kendall-Elroy was presented before the vote on the merger with Tomah was announced, but was not acknowledged by Zepplin until after the vote was taken.
The Wilton District now has no legal entanglments which would prevent its merger with any district. The deadline for appeal which was threatened in the merger of Wilton's grade and high school passed on June 23rd, freeing Wilton from any further action.
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The following headlines appeared in the May 29th 1959 issue of the Kendall Keystone. This information was provided to me by Bill Smith, present editor for Kendall Reporter.
SCHOOL COMMITTEES DENY KENDALL PETITION TO
LEAVE KENDALL-ELROY JT. DISTRICT
By 14-3 Vote
After hearing evidence for nearly four hours last Thursday night at the Ontario Community Hall, 14 County school committee members decided Kendall should not permitted to detach from the Kendall-Elroy system and merge with Ontario and Norwalk. There were 3 votes for detachment in a secret balloting.
Following the meeting there was talk among Kendallites that a petition would be circulated to obtain 500 signatures to bring the matter to a referendum. This plan was later abandoned when it was found it probably would not succeed since it would have to win in both the city and rural districts and would most likely lose in Elroy.
An appeal was filed Monday by five Kendall men with W. Earle Zepplin to oppose the joint committee order which denied the petition of Kendall to detach. Signers of the new petition were Floyd Nelson, E. G. Smith Carl Eberhardt, O.F Schroeder and Clem Walters.
In their appeal the five men charged the committees with adopting their order
under the direction of the State Department of Public Instruction, "utterly
ignoring the will of the majority present at the hearing held in Ontario on
May 21st 1959; abusing its discretion and unlawfully abusing its powers;
and ignoring the master plan of the school organization adopted by the
Monroe County School Committee on June 30th 1951.
About 400 attended the hearing in Ontario Thursday night with Clayton Hemsey, Tomah, as chairman of the meeting.
Those favoring the petition were heard as the meeting opened. Don Jones, Ontario, opposed the argument of the 'Pros' saying he was in favor of the Petition. Robert Dwyer, of Kendall, said it would give a larger school and better school district. Leo Brand, Charles Dwyer and Harold Hogan of Kendall, said the favored it. Floyed Nelson, also Kendall, said the original reason for wanting to break away was the selection of the site. Since that time Kendall has looked in to the possibilities and see much in favor -- each community is the same size and will have the same voice. Elmer Smith, Kendall, citing the bond issue vote in Kendall of 386 against and 46 for it "show Kendall is in favor of it"
H.M. Wallace from Ontario said he was "most heartily in favor of the merger" "It would give more valuation so we could build a good school" and the fringe areas could get out.
Otto Schroeder, Kendall, in sizing up the situation, said the distance to travel would be no greater than it is now, if the new school in the proposed district is centrally located and it would give a larger high school. Clem Walters, Kendall said there was just not enough valuation in the Kendall and Elroy to build a good school. Charles Dwyer, Kendall, asked for a standing vote but this would not add very much and would not be legal said the chairman.
Wallace Brady, Elroy, did not see how a standing vote could have any value, since the vote would not be representative. The informal vote was held and about two thirds stood for the petition with one third against.
The opening speaker against the Detachment petition was Wallace Brady, president of the Kendall-Elroy board, who said, "None of us would be oppossed to a Norwalk-Wilton-Ontario merger but we do oppose the inclusion of Kendall in such a merger. The committee tonight (joint school committee) elected a merger of Elroy and Kendall and there was a lot of work done on the merger in both communities who worked very friendly and cooperatively. At no time prior to the selection of the site did a problem of major proportions come before the board.
Mr. Brady, said that he had information, "that the state Department of Public Instruction is not in favor of detaching Kendall from Elroy at this time.
Elroy Principal, Herman Laatsch said he didn't wish to tell Ontario and Norwalk what to do but the board of (Kendall-Elroy) has worked together very well and cited the many improvements brought about by the integration and said, "There has been no hitch at all."
Referring to Kendall, Dr. Leib of Elroy said, "We consider them our friends and wish Kendall would do the same". John Steffen, Elroy, citing the amount of work involved would like to "see our district carry on"
Mrs. Harold Moe, Elroy teacher, said she had many opportunities of seeing the fine students from Kendall. "They are a credit to Kendall. They have adjusted themselves to their new situation with no trouble. They get along fine together. We should take an example from our children."
"There is not a shred of evidence that rural sites should be sought for over a city location," said George Chute. John Weger, Elroy teacher, said he "found harmony while serving on a joint salary committee" of the two schools.
"I believe all this agitation for withdrawal was a result of the vote taken on the site," said Henry Davis, Town of Plymouth Resident. "The site was recommended by the State Board of Education and was chosen by democratic action," Davis said.
Elroy Mayor, Herbert Gernetzke, "was much surprised when Kendall wanted to withdraw." He cited the fair treatment of Kendall Children in the use of the Elroy pool on the same basis as the Elroy Children, while children from other towns paid the "visitors" fees. Kendall and Elroy got along fine and there was a lot of hard work done by the school board.
Sixty four percent of the student body live closer to the chosen site," said W.C. Clare, "103 in the Kendall area and 183 in the Elroy area , and 103 students within the Elroy city.
Eddie Wolfgram, Glendale, presenting a petition containing 48 names of Glendale township residents who wanted to be in the Elroy district said, "he was opposed to all integration," but that Glendale would like to go to Elroy or be given its freedom.
Karl Schulz said, if integration is planned wisely, it is a good thing. Elroy and Kendall are a natural package. Does it make sense to break up our district?" Wilton, Ontario and Norwalk have 12 million valuation - Can't we have two good districts out of this?" Elroy and Kendall have interviewed 14 architects, and are ready to go, Schulz said.
A Norwalk man speaking against the petition, said, "the new district would be stretched out and it would be a hazard to transport students in the rough terrain.
Mrs. Ted Shrake, Elroy, said, "the Kendall-Elroy school got along so
well last year
and the potentialities are great for the future."
"The site is well served by utilities," said Ivan Singletrary, Elroy, "and there is less danger from the highway, greater safety for the students. The merger could work out and be beneficial to all concerned."
Roger Grawin, Ridgeville, "we have had meetings, but wee no sense in merging with anybody...Why take town children out in the country and country children further out in the country"
Mrs. Wallace Brady, Plymouth, said, "The whole philosophy of school integration is going amiss if a school committee can join a district and then a year later disintegrate it."
Mrs. Neil Schulz was of the opinion that "so much time and effort has gone into this and it seems like a terrific waste to turn it upside down."
"We are not trying to break up a merger," said Don Jones of Ontario, "and do not want to get into a fight, but Kendall's addition would give Ontario an efficient operation."
Wallace Brady brought out the fact that people who were on the school boards one year ago were in favor of the integration.
E-K Board Member Karl Schulz said, "We are on the edge of a desert as far as further integration is possible. Kendall is our natural ally: no barriers, on a black top highway. Truthfully speaking, if we are separated from Kendall it would be a great blow to our education." Schulz said.
Harold Mueske, E-K Board Member from Glendale stated, "our taxes are down $5 a thousand and will still be down if we build a new school. We were once asked to join with Wilton, Ontario and Norwalk in a survey and Kendall said okay, but when the results came back, Kendall was not included.
Mr. Brady called to the attention of the committe that the detachment petition sought to take away from Elroy some territory that was traditionally with Elroy.
Mrs. William Garvin, committee member, asked what provisions would be made for the Kendall students in the next year if the detachment were made. Mrs. Collins replied that he farm shop, the Home EC and the business departmet as well as English and Mathmatics classes were now in Elroy.
Following the school board discussion, the vote was taken and 14 were against splitting the district and 3 were for it of the 17 present of the three county school committees who heard the evidence.
COMING SOON WILTON'S ATTEMPTS TO MERGE WITH TOMAH, BOOKWOOD AND FINALLY WITH ELROY KENDALL
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News Item In May 29th 1959 Kendall Keystone.
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER
CATHERINE COLLINS
RESIGNS POST
Kendall-Elroy School Board Member, Catherine M. Collins, Kendall,
resigned from the board early this week, with her
resignation to take effect June 1st.
Mrs. Collins, the secretary of the board, was an exceedingly able
and conscientious member of the board.
The reason for her leaving the board was contained
in her letter of resignation which read in part,
"In view of the fact that so much dissension has arisen in Kendall
regarding the present integration plans,
my position as a member of the board is almost impossible."
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The articles in this series, so far, came from theApril 17th, May 8th and May 26 issue Kendall Keystone
Courtesey of Bill Smith
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This is the third in a series of articles dealing with
History of the EKW School District.
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Posted on May 21st - 1999
REFERENDUM FOR $450,000 BOND ISSUE OF HIGH SCHOOL
PASSES 723-421
Voters streamed to the polls all day long Tuesday in Elroy and Kendall casting 1144 votes, 723 in favor of the $450,000 of the highschool building bond issue and 421 against the referendum.
There was very light opposition to the referendum in Elroy with only 53 votes being cast against it, compared with 677 favoring it.
The referendum was voted against in Kendall to the tune of 368 votes while 46 voters in the Kendall area favored the referendum.
No immediate action can be taken on the bond issue while the matter of Kendall's petition to withdraw has yet to be decided upon. Bonds can not be sold until 30 days after litigation, such as the Kendall Petition, is settled.
In the meantime and informational meeting on the proposed
merger in Monroe County will be held at the Ontario
Community Hall, Thursday May 7th and a hearing on the
merger will be held at Ontario
Wednesday May 13, at 8:pm.
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THRONG VOTES AS GAMERDIGER SITE IS CHOSEN
BY PUBLIC, 809-445
Probably the largest crowd ever to attend a function at the Elroy gym packed the main floor, the balcony, the home economics room, the upper and lower halls and were lined up to the steps going to the old school, to vote on site Thursday.
The Gamerdinger-Carter site in North Elroy with 809 votes was chosen over the Woolever site in Glendale Township, which polled 445 ballots.
James Sartori, chairman of the site comittee described the procedure which led up to the picking of the two sites.
The cost of the Gamerdinger-Carter site would be $18,000 and the Woolever site $10,000 each about 32 acres. Chairman Brady said that the state has rated the sites and the vote here is final.
Mrs. Collins read the letter from the State Department of Public Instruction which follows:
April 3, 1959
Dear Mrs Collins
Re: Elroy-Kendall High School Site
As per your board's request the writer met with several members of the board on March 31 to evaluate the two sites that are under consideration for your proposed new high school.
The sites visited were the 32 acre Gamerdingeer-Carter property located just south of the north Elroy city limits and the Woolever property located approximatly 4 miles northwest of Elroy on highway 71. The later property also listed as approximatly 32 acres, is also a good site except for its location.
It would require not only the additional cost of its own water and sewage utilities but would mean a permanent charge to the district for the transportation of all pupils from the city of Elroy that may otherwise may be expected to walk or furnish their own.
Then too, the matter of adequate fire protection facilities and their cost, together with the advantage of police protetion, proximity to medical help in an emergency, etc. would in our estimation outweigh the environmental advantages of the rural site.
It is our opinion that if the district electors are given the
facts and make their selection in the best interest of
the district at large, both from the standpoint of educational
opportunity and long range operating economy
they would
select the Elroy site.
Cordially yours,
A.R.Page
Asssitant State Superintendt
A.L. Buechner
Supervisor School Building Services
The report went on to describe the voting procedure, etc.
Continuing from the article:
An unfortunate note crept into nearly a year of close
co-operation and intergration of Kendall and Elroy schools
when a petition was reportedy circulated by some Kendallites,
requesting detachment from the Kendall-Elroy Jt. District
No. 9, following the choosing of the site.
The districts legal bonding limit is about $450,000 or 5%
of total assesed value of $9,500,000.00.
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This Is The First in a Series of Articles Dealing With
History of the EKW School District - Editor
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KENDALL, NORWALK AND ONTAIRO SCHOOL MERGER MEETING
There will be a meeting of the (former) Kendall School
District at the Kendall Community Hall Monday April 27th
1959 at 8:30pm.
The tremendous number of votes cast in this site election
indicates the orgainization and work done by each of the
communities to get the school located near them.
The next step for the district, according to Wallace
Brady, would be to hold a referendum on a bond issue.
No definite plans have been made yet he explained but
the amount asked for could be expected to be in excess
of 400,000.
The article below was from the April 17th 1959 Issue of the
Kendall Keystone- Courtesy of Bill Smith - Current Publisher.
Posted May 19th 1999 -
(PLEASE NOTE YEAR)
This meeting concerns the withdrawl of Kendall from the Elroy-Kendall School District and the merger of the Kendall, Norwalk and Ontario schools.
Kendall Citizen Committee
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