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( .1416 HISTORY
Renton School District 403
FORWARD
This history of the Renton Public Schools has been prepared
to capture and preserve a significant dimension of Renton - their
public schools. It reconstructs as much of our past from records
and memory as possible. Records are frequently incomplete or non-
existart. Memories have a tendency to grow dim with time .
I am greatly indebted to and grateful for the contribution
of Mr. Oliver M. Hazen to the compilation of our history. His
endless; hours of work and thoroughness in reconstructing our past
is truly commendable. The information contained in this publication
is largely the result of the dedication of this most respected past
leader of the Renton schools.
This writing captures Renton School District history from our
beginn:_ng through early 1975. Writing, editing and publication
has been coordinated to coincide with our country' s bicentenial
and our city' s seventy-fifth anniversary.
Gary F. Kohlwes
INTRODUCTION
The history of the Renton Public Schools covers a period
of many years from the time when Renton was a small coal mining
community until 1975 when the Renton area is known as the Jet
Transport Capitol of the World, where the famous Boeing jet
planes are developed and manufactured.
Chapter 11, lists figures pertaining to the number of
students and teachers. The reader is cautioned to remember
that cold figures cannot tell a complete story. The big in-
crease in the number of personnel during the late 1960 ' s and
early 1970 ' s was due to several different developments, such as;
the establishment of kindergartens in all elementary schools,
special education classes for the handicapped, head start pro-
grams for pre-school children and many programs made possible
by special federal funds.
The term certificated refers to those of the professional
staff who are required by law to have a professional certificate
issued by the State Board of Education. The term classified
refers to those employees such as secretaries, custodians , bus
drivers and mechanics, skilled journeymen and so forth who are
so necessary in the operation of the schools.
Many records were not available. The information pertaining
to the early schools is based upon various articles which were
published years ago.
Much information is left out of this history due to the lack
of time and space. It is realized that many individuals have con-
tributed much to the Renton Schools throughout a period of one
hundred years. It is regrettable that their names and type of
service cannot be listed.
The compiler of the information found in this history is
greatly indebted to the present Superintendent of Schools , Dr.
Gary F. Kohlwes and the members of his staff who have made many
records available. The Superintendent' s secretary, Mrs. Nelda
Rockey, capably transcribed all the information dictated.
Mr. Robert J. Marum, Superintendent of Intermediate School
District No. 110 (formerly the King County School Office) and
his secretary Mrs. Kay O'Brien, were most helpful in making the
early records of that office available.
Mr. L. M. Dimmitt, who was a Principal in Renton during the
years 1910 and 1911 furnished much interesting information per-
taining to the schools of that time.
Oliver M. Hazen
CONTENTS
Chapter Page
1 Early History of Renton School District No. 7 1
2 The Original Renton High School 9
3 School Directors - 1890 to 1975 15
4 Early School Baord Minutes and District Elections 19
5 Renton Schools in 1936 27
6 School District Reorganization - 1942 41
7 The Five Elementary Districts 45
8 War Time Activities (World War II) 57
9 Budgets and finances 71
10 Salaries - Then and Now 81
11 Enrollments, Graduates and Teachers 83
12 PTA, School Lunches and Kindergartens 87
13 Athletic Activities 91
14 Transportation 105
15 Vocational Education 115
16 School Sites and Buildings 131
17 Personnel
18 Superintendents of Schools
1/1
CHAPTER ONE
EARLY HISTORY OF RENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7
The first known school in the Renton area was a private
one taught by Miss Adelaide Andrews when there were only three
families with children in the community, namely the Tobins , the
Smithers and the Clymers.
In 1853 the first public school building was erected on
the Christian Clymer Homestead north of the Black River in
Earlington. This first school was built of rough lumber and
cedar shakes. It was a 14 x 16 feet in dimension and was
heated by a rustic fireplace at one end. Rough homemade desks
rested on the coarse wood floor of that first school house.
Even though this was a very humble beginning , it was a start
from which grew the great school system now operating in the
Renton area.
In 1871 a new school building was constructed at the foot
of Renton Hill near the location today of the LaBonte American
Motors Automobile Agency, at 330 Main Avenue South. By that
date, there were about a dozen children of school age living in
the Renton District. This new school was a great improvement
over the first rude cabin and had for its first teacher one of
the pupils who attended that earlier school , Miss Ada Smithers .
By the year 1876 , there were 82 children in the District between
the ages of 4 and 21 . This building was later moved to the site
where the Henry Ford School Building now stands. At a later date
it was again moved to the corner of Wells and Walla Walla to be
used for other purposes. During the 1930 ' s it was used as a
warehouse for the Williams and McKnight General Store. It was
torn down when present modern buildings were constructed.
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The old Central School was built in 1892 , consisting of
,
even classrooms, on the site where the Administration Building
low stands. The front of the building faced South 5th Street .
it had coal stoves for heating the rooms and outdoor plumbing.
he hallway and stairs were very narrow but the children still
anaged to march to the rhythm of the triangle played by the
Janitor.
At that time it was thought that the building was much too
large and would never be filled with children . During the first
;ear of operation 110 pupils attended school in what was con-
idered a modern facility. During the following years portables
it
re needed from time to time. After thirty years of use, the
ld Central School was razed in 1922 after construction of the
my Ford Elementary School in the same block .
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CENTRAL SCHOOL BUILDING
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Faculty of Central School 1911-1912
Seated: Kate Bassett, Miss Tuck, Florence Guitteau,
Mr. Talbot, Superintendent, Caroline Gunn, Mrs. Suydam
Second Row: Emily House, Kate Keown, Mr. Hayes Tully,
Anna Marie Padden, Clara Blonde.
Third Row: Mrs. Ferguson, Edna Bacon, G.W. Beanblossom,
High School Principal, Lulu Bacon, Martha N. Groat
L.M. Dimmitt, missing
/
By 1907 the steady growth of the City of Renton made it
necessary for the School District to construct the Sartori School
in North Renton, located on Garden Avenue North between North
Third and North Fourth Street. This was a two story frame build-
ing consisting of four classrooms and a basement . As the school
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gbopulation increased it was necessary to make use of a portable
1t this site. During the year 1929 a brick veneer, two room
building was constructed, thereby making it possible to have six
classrooms for the operation of six grades. In 1939 an addition
was added on to these two rooms for a complete elementary school
and the old frame building was razed.
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SARTORI SCHOOL
About 1909 a one room portable was put up at Earlington and
ujed for school purposes. A brick building, consisting of four
classrooms on two stories with playrooms on the ground level , was
constructed in 1914 . This school was used until the Depression
years in 1933 when it was closed and the pupils from that area
w re transported to the Henry Ford School . At the beginning of
World War II , the school was remodeled and again put into operation
ii 1943 .
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'Ri EARLINGTON SCHOOL PORTABLE 1909
, EARLINGTON SCHOOL 1914
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In September of 1909 the Renton School Board received a report
to the effect that a school district was about to be formed on the
South side of the Renton School District and would take away two
sections of land from the Renton School District .
The Superintendent was instructed to try to retain this
territory and annex the North half of Section 32 by providing a
school at the home of Mr. Benson and to engage a teacher at $50
per month and make all necessary arrangements . Gladys Kellett
was the first teacher.
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The records show that Miss Celia B. Schultz was a teacher
here in 1921-22 . Later she was principal at the Earlington
' chool for two years and served the District many years as a
eacher in the Renton Junior-Senior High School . The Spring Glen
school was closed in 1925 .
1 The building was then leased to the Spring Glen Community
ilub and for many years was used as a community center .
The School District no longer owns this property. In 1954
' he Village Chapel Church purchased the North two and a half
. cres for $2 ,500. In 1956 the King County Fire District No. 20
',ought part of the land facing S.E. 176th for $900 . The corner
Pas sold in 1959 for $22 , 000 to be used for a service station.
: inally in 1962 the balance of the land was sold to King County
dater District No. 58 for $8 , 775 . Thus the land that originally
•ost $500 in 1910 sold for a total of $34 , 175 , which was deposited
'n the District Building Fund for new capital outlay purposes.
It is interesting to note that the area originally served
•y a one room building with fifteen pupils in grades 1 through 8
'n 1915 now includes the following elementary schools : Benson
ill, Cascade, Renton Park, Tiffany Park and Talbot Hill , serving
-I total of approximately 2 , 800 pupils in kindergarten through
•,rade 6 and 770 in grades 7 and 8 at the Fred Nelson Middle School ,
"br a total of approximately 3 , 600 .
The first modern elementary school to be constructed in this
•rea was the new Spring Glen School at 16244 108th Avenue S.E.
ii 1952. In 1973 this building ceased operating as an elementary
shool and was used as a Learning Center for pupils with speech
a d hearing difficulties. In 1974 it was converted into head-
q arters for the Renton School District ' s Purchasing and Supply
o erations.
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The Superintendent successfully accomplished this assign-
ment. In February 1910 the Board called a special election for
the purpose of approving the purchase of a site and the erection
of a school house in the Spring Glen area. This proposition was
approved by the voters. In July 1910 the District purchased five
acres from State School Lands for the price of $500 . The site
was located at the North East corner of the intersection of the
Benson Highway and the Petrovisky Road (S .E. 176th) . A one room
school house, including a wood shed and outhouses , was built at
the cost of $838 . It was completed in October 1910 .
In August 1918 a decision was made to bring the Spring Glen
students in to the Central School and that a suitable conveyance
be purchased for transporting the pupils . Records do not indicate
whether or not this decision was carried out but it is doubtful
that it was, as the minutes of 1922 show that a teacher for the
Spring Glen School was elected.
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SPRING GLEN SCHOOL 1910
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GEORGE W. BEANBLOSSOM V. W. TALBOTT
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RENTON HIGH SCHOOL 1911 — 1942 /
— 8 —
CHAPTER TWO
THE ORIGINAL RENTON HIGH SCHOOL
About the year 1909 , Mr. George W. Beanblossom came to
Renton to serve as Principal of High School classes in the
Renton School District. Mr. V. W. Talbot was Superintendent
at the time.
Records indicate that only the ninth and tenth grades at
the high school level were provided for students. Mr. Bean-
blossom, with one teacher, taught all the high school subjects
in the Central School . Some old timers report that at various
times classes were held on the second story of what was known
as the Dobson Building at Third and Wells.
On December 3 , 1910 the voters of the District approved
the sale of bonds in the amount of $65 , 000 by a vote of 265 to
77 , and authorized the District to purchase a site and construct
a high school. On February 1 , 1911 the School District purchased
five acres north of Second Street and West of Logan Avenue from
Edward and Fred Smithers at a price of $3 , 500 per acre.
On March 29 , 1911 , the District let a contract to construct
a high school building to C. A. Bartz for the sum of $37 , 987 . In
order to provide access to this school the Smithers Brothers
agreed to extend Second Street to the Western boundary of the
school grounds and open Morris Street from the South up to the
school property.
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The new building was occupied during the school year
111-12 . It was considered to be one of the most modern high
s hool buildings in King County. It was a three story building
w th a large clock tower with the face of the clock on four
s'des. This clock had a large bell and tolled the hours and
h if hours which could be heard throughout the City of Renton.
This building had an adequate number of classrooms to serve
the community for several years to come. On the lower level
there was a domestic science room and space for manual training
classes . In addition there was a small gymnasium which had a
concrete floor, later covered by black asphalt. There were four
posts on the floor which furnished support for the auditorium
above. There was an adequate auditorium with balcony and a very
suitable stage.
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INSIDE OF AUDITORIUM
The faculty during that first year of operation consisted
- 10 -
of V. W. Talbot , Superintendent of Schools; George W. Beanblossom,
High School Principal ; T. H. Hays , Language; Clara Blonde , Algebra ;
Martha Groat, Physical Geography; and Caroline Gunn, English.
The subjects offered at that time were English, Latin,
Algebra, Physiography, Plane Geometry, General History , English
History, Physics , American History, Domestic Science and Manual
Training.
There were 43 students during the first year of operation ,
with 17 in the first year, 19 in the second year , 3 in the third
year and 4 in the fourth year. Those four students which made
up the first graduating class from the Renton High School in-
cluded Allie Grady, Vane Marlowe , William N. Norton and Susie
Wood.
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SUSIE A. WOOD
WILLIAM S. NORTON VANE N MARLOWE
FIRST GRADUATING CLASS OF RENTON HIGH SCHOOL - 1911
ALLIF L. GRACY
- 11 -
In 1913 there were 66 students registered in the school
lut by 1914 it slipped back to 47 . During the following years
41
tie enrollment gradually increased.
In June of 1923 when the auditorium was full of school
•atrons for the commencement exercises, the balcony gave a jerk
."nd sank for a distance of a few inches. No one was injured and
he exercises were transferred immediately to the Henry Ford
school.
The cause of this disturbance was the lowering of Lake
Washington by 12 feet in 1914 when the Ballard Locks were
osened. At that time , a cut was made between Lake Washington
a d Lake Union so as to make the two lakes level . This re-
s, lted in the lowering of Lake Washington . Prior to that time ,
t e water level in the City of Renton was very near to the
s rface of the land. The high school building had been con-
s ructed on wooden piles and as long as the water surrounded
t e piles, they were preserved in good condition . When the lake
s lowered the water level in the ground was also lowered, thus
e posing the piling to air. After about ten years these piles
✓ tted and gave way, causing part of the building to sink. Steps
w re taken immediately by the School Board to support the founda-
t ons and the under pinning of the building. During the early
3 ' s very broad concrete foundations were installed around the
b ilding under a WPA Project.
In 1932 the Senior High School moved into the new Renton
H gh School Building, immediately to the West; the part of the
p esent structure which has a tower on it. At that time the
old high school building was used for a junior high school .
By 1941 it was necessary to raze this old building as the
walls were beginning to bulge and it was deemed unsafe for occu-
p. ncy. The corner stone of the original building was saved and
ws installed on the North side of a new structure that was built
- 12 -
I
on the old site as an addition to the new Renton High School and
known as the Junior High School wing.
Many present citizens of the Renton area have fond memories
of their school days in this structure.
/
T. H. HAYS, Assistant Principal
/
- 13 -
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SCHOOL DIRECTORS 1969
Jack Priebe, Elmer Pistoresi, Myrtle Clymer, Barbara Lally, Roger Lewis
Left to Right:
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A. M. Roberts Rom:
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George Dobson
` IElmer Pistoresi
B. G. Morrison �.;�
Floyd Hughes , ,_" `
H. R. Johnson,
Secretary
Oliver M. Hazen, _.-
Superintendent
SCHOOL DIRECTORS 1953
\ /
- 14 -
CHAPTER THREE
SCHOOL DIRECTORS - 1890 TO 1975
Throughout the years, many citizens have served as
Directors of the Renton Schools. These men and women have
devoted many hours to this duty.
School Directors are responsible for determining the
general policies and guidelines under which the schools
operate. Their most important function is the selection
of the Superintendent of Schools who is the Administrative
Head of the District and operates the schools in accordance
with the policies set up by the School Board.
School Directors serve without pay. Many have served
for a considerable number of years. The public is greatly
indebted to them. Following is a complete list of School
Directors of the Renton School District from 1890 to 1975.
NAME DATES OF SERVICE TOTAL YEARS SERVED
Robert L. Thorne 1890 - 1893 4
Fred Ditlevsen 1890 - 1893 4
Crain Woodworth 1890 - 1895 6
Claus Jorgensen 1893 - 1896 6
1898 - 1901
Dr. A. S. Beach 1894 - 1897
1900 - 1903 9
1906 - 1909
George M. Whiting 1895 - 1898 3
Harold Evans 1895 - 1898 3
/
- 15 -
NAME DATES OF SERVICE TOTAL YEARS SERVED
Lewis D. Jones 1896 - 1899 6
1908 - 1911
T. J. Richmond 1898 - 1901 3
S. J. Williams 1898 - 1901 3
William Hughes 1899 - 1902 3
James Flynn 1900 - 1906 6
William Denning 1901 - 1904 3
John C. Marlow 1901 - 1910 9
A. C. Wilson 1904 - 1907 3
Thomas Harries 1906 - 1909 5
1921 - 1923
Anthony Maddison 1907 - 1910 3
John E. Kendtner 1909 - 1915 6
C. F. Hearl 1910 - 1913 3
William Tonkin 1911 - 1920 9
William S. Millhoff 1912 - 1921 10
George H. Williams 1915 - 1921 6
David Mitchell, Jr. 1920 - 1923 3
Jess R. Storey 1922 - 1937 15
John H. McKnight 1923 - 1941 18
John W. Harries 1923 - 1936 13
Paul Greene 1936 - 1939 3
William J. Jane 1936 - 1939 3
Eugene K. Arnold 1939 - 1945 6
E. P. Wilson 1939 - 1941 2
Jack Browne 1941 - 1945 4
Hayden Williams 1941 - 1943 2
August Schoenbackler 1942 4 months
George H. Hisey 1942 - 1949 7
A. E. Wright 1942 - 1947 5
John H. Swanson 1943 - 1946 3
George Dobson 1946 - 1954 9
- 16 -
NAME DATES OF SERVICE TOTAL YEARS SERVED
Elmo L. Wright 1946 - 1952 6
Louis Gebenini 1947 - 1950 3
Dr. M. J. Schultz 1947 - 1953 6
William J. O'Neil 1950 - 1953
1954 - 1958 7
A. M. Roberts 1951 - 1954 3
Floyd Hughes 1952 - 1955 3
B. G. Morrison 1953 - 1960 7
Elmer Pistoresi 1953 - 1969 16
Clarence L. Bunstine 1954 - 1967 13
Stanley F. Hickok 1955 - 1958 3
Robert H. Hendrickson 1958 - 1967 9
Myrtle O. Clymer 1958 - 1971 13
Gil Duckworth, Jr. 1960 - 1963 3
Roger L. Lewis 1963 - 1975 12
Barbara Lally 1967 - 1973 6
Dr. Jack E. Priebe 1967 - 1971 4
William L. Johnson 1969 - 1972
1973
Dr. Robert Hoffman 1971 -
Susan Ringwood 1971 -
Donald G. Holm 1972 - 1973 1
Margaret (Peggy) Hansen 1973 - 1975 2
- 17 -
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L. M. DIMMITT, Principal
Sartori School 1910
Central School 1911 �. ,
- 18 -
CHAPTER FOUR
EARLY SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES AND DISTRICT ELECTIONS
A perusal of the early minutes of Renton School District
No. 7 shows that School Boards at that time were faced with
many of the same problems that exist in operating schools today.
Since the District was small , with few pupils and teachers,
there was no Superintendent of Schools until 1907 . In the late
' 90s a teaching Principal was employed for the Central Elementary
School.
We find that much of the Administrative work in the early
days had to be performed by the School Board and its Clerk. The
following quotations from the minutes should be of interest :
July 9, 1901 - The Board accepted a bid from H. J. Walker
and Co. to paint the Central School for $250 . The salary of
the janitor was set at $5 for each room.
August 2 , 1901 - The Board engaged a teacher for three
months. If she gave satisfaction, she would be kept for the
full term. Her salary was to be $50 per month.
August 20, 1901 - Authorized payment to James Flynn for
$43 to serve as Clerk of the Board and take the annual school
census.
September 20 , 1901 - The Principal ' s salary was raised to
$100 per month.
- 19 -
March 1902 - The City Marshall was allowed $4 per month
or services as a Truant Officer.
July 1902 - The school house shall not be let to any
erson or persons unless under the control of the teachers.
1
July 1902 - A janitor was appointed at the salary of $35
er month and was also to act as Truant Officer for $5 per
a
onth.
July 19 , 1902 - It was decided that unless the number of
0th grade students was six or more for the coming year, that
• rade would be dropped, making the number of grades in the
-ystem nine.
i
September 1902 - Bids were opened for the construction of
i,wo out houses. The contract was given to M. J. Hilliker for
uphe sum of $95 .
August 1903 - Most of the business consisted of authorizing
',he payment of bills . The Board approved a five mill tax to
Larry the school and a two and a half mill tax to pay interest
in bonds.
February 1909 - A petition was presented, signed by 69
esidents of the town of Renton, praying for free text books.
the Board decided to submit the question to the public at the
`nnual school election on March 6 , 1909 , for a final decision
c�y vote. The Board also decided to ask the people to vote an
Jxtra tax of $4 , 000 for the purpose of placing an adequate
'eating plant in the Central School Building and making other
lecessary repairs (other records show that each classroom in
Ihe Central School at one time had a special heater to help
eep things warm) .
- 20 -
i
May 1909 - Mr. George W. Beanblossom was present at the
meeting. He outlined his ideas of conducting a high school
(Mr. Beanblossom became the first Principal of the Renton
High School when it was constructed and opened in 1911.
July 1909 - V. William Talbot, the Superintendent of
Schools, was present and outlined to some extent the outlook
for the ensuing year and gave his views on manual training
which was looked upon with favor.
March 1910 - The Board discussed the proposition of
selecting a site and erecting a high school for the District.
July 1910 - Mr. L. M. Dimmitt was elected as Principal
of the Sartori School at a salary of $88 per month for ten
months (that year Mr. Dimmitt came from Missouri to begin
many years of school service in the State of Washington) .
He served as Superintendent of Schools at Foster, Eatonville,
North Bend and Highline . For many years he was on the staff
of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction serving as
High School Inspector. He closed his educational career by
serving as Superintendent of King County Schools for many
years. His brother, Mr. A. W. Dimmitt, joined the Renton
School District in 1911 as Principal of the Sartori School.
He also served many years as Principal of the Henry Ford
Elementary School, the Renton High School, Supervisor of
Elementary Schools and contributed much to the welfare of
the Renton Schools. He retired in 1952 .
September 1916 - Coal was purchased at the price of $1 .90
per ton.
November 2 , 1917 - The Superintendent was instructed to
open a night school .
- 21 -
September 6 , 1918 - The budget for the school year 1918-19
wale in the sum of $45 , 910 . 38 which was unanimously approved.
1 November 1918 - It was moved, seconded and carried that the
sa,iaries for substitute teachers be fixed at from $3 . 60 to $5 . 00
pe day according to the work and qualifications of the substi-
tu e and the position filled. The salary was to be determined
by', the Superintendent.
June 23 , 1919 - It was moved, seconded and carried to suspend
the operation of the merit system for the determination of teachers '
saaries during the coming year.
October 3, 1919 - A motion was made by Mr. Tonkin to install
a telephone at the Earlington School House . The motion carried.
Re resentatives of the Earlington Club requested the privilege
ofholding dances at the Earlington School House . Upon motion
of Mr. Tonkin the request was not granted.
October 3, 1919 - The following resolution was passed:
"T •achers expecting to be absent from duty should notify the
P 9
Surl'erintendent of the fact as soon as possible . Several hours
ar! sometimes necessary to obtain a suitable substitute and one
ho ,r should be the minimum time allowed. For each day ' s absence
frlim duty, teachers shall forfeit not less than three-fourths of
th it daily salary either through payment of the substitute or
in compensating the District for sacrifices in filling the
va1ancy. In the event that the proper notification of at least
on hour is not given the Superintendent, the teacher shall
fo feit the full salary for that day. The salary of the sub-
s
sttute shall be fixed by the Superintendent and shall be based
upl,.n the length of time the substitute works and upon the
qualifications of the substitute . Two weeks of continuous
selvice will entitle a well qualified substitute to the full
daily salary of the regular teacher. "
- 22 -
1
January 26 , 1920 - The following resolution was passed:
"It is the sense of this Board that Miss Blank has been guilty
of absenting herself from school duties without leave of absence
and has violated her contract and that the Board considers her
contract null and void. "
March 5, 1920 - The clerk was instructed to reply to the
communication of the County Superintendent, A. S . Burrows, of
February 26, concerning the appeal of Miss Blank from action
of the Board on January 26 , when her contract was considered
null and void.
April 2 , 1920 - The case of Miss Blank: The decision of
A. S. Burrows in the appeal was accepted and Miss Blank was
reinstated to her former position with pay beginning January
12 , 1920 .
May 7, 1920 - It was moved and seconded and carried that
those teachers whose contract reads, "last month ' s salary
forfeited unless they remain in the District as teachers for
another year" be annulled and that they be allowed full pay
of the last month ' s salary.
July 2 , 1920 - The operation of a summer school was
authorized.
October 1, 1920 - It was moved, seconded and carried that
Otto Bronsen be employed as instructor of band and orchestra,
two hours each week at a salary not to exceed $75 per year.
November 5, 1920 - A committee from the Teachers Council
requested permission to hold class dances in the high school.
Action was postponed for two weeks when a special meeting is to
be held to decide the question. In the meantime, the Board
planned to get the opinion of the Seattle P . I . , Seattle Star,
the Union Record, the Seattle Superintendent of Schools,
- 23
R IlWerend J. D. Powers and others who may experience
had ex erience
a Ing this line.
November 19 , 1920 - It was moved by Mitchell and seconded
b Milhuff that the Senior Ball and Junior Prom be allowed in
t high school, also one hour of dancing at class parties to
b held not oftener than once in two weeks . That at least two
o "; the faculty and one patron of the school be present and that
p. ties shall not be held later than 10 : 00 P .M. The vote was
t . to one in favor. It was later decided that the Senior Ball
an• Junior Prom may run to 11: 00 P .M. and may be held outside
o the school building in some other approved place .
1925 - The Board decided to close the Spring Glen Elementary
Sci ool .
1926 - The Board authorized the purchase of a Keystone
sl de set for $425 .
March 29 , 1929 - The Superintendent was authorized to
em.loy a full time office secretary at $100 per month.
I
May 13 , 1929 - The Board agreed to purchase from the
Sm�lthers Estate, five acres west of the old high school for
th • sum of $14, 000 .
August 9 , 1929 - The Board approved a contract for the
construction of two rooms at the Sartori School site, for the
sui of $13, 360 .
For many years the Renton School District conducted the
scool elections each March. The polls were open from 1: 00 P .M.
to 8: 00 P.M. on the first Saturday of the month .
F .11owing is a copy of the clerk ' s minute book which outlines
thl procedure which was followed in those days :
- 24 -
"The annual school election for Renton School District
No. 7, King County, Washington was held at the Henry
Ford School on Saturday, March 6 , 1937 from one o 'clock
p.m. to eight o'clock p.m. The only issue before the
voters of the District was the election of one director
for the District for a term of three years . Mr. William
Jane was the only candidate filing for this office and
his name appeared on the official ballot. Mr. Oliver M.
Hazen, Superintendent of the Schools acted as Chairman
of the Meeting for the forming of an election board. Mr.
A. W. Dimmitt was elected as Clerk of the Board and Mrs .
Alice Davis and Miss Jennie Edwards were elected as
judges of the Election Board. "
"The results of the election were as follows :
For Director of the School District for a term
of three years -
William Jane 328 votes
Arthur Nelson 1 vote
Mrs . Stella Monohan 1 vote
George Pasco 1 vote
Paul Green 1 vote
One Blank Ballot
Signed John H. McKnight, Clerk, Renton School District
No. 7. "
In later years the laws were changed so that all school
elections were conducted under the supervision of the County
Auditor. At the present time, the annual school election for
school directors takes place on the second Tuesday of November
of each odd year. Directors are elected for a four year term.
Special elections are held each year, generally on the
first Tuesday of February at which time the voters consider
the approval of special levies and sometimes bond issues .
If these measures fail the first time another special election
is generally held sometime during the following spring.
- 25 -
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RENTON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
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OLIVER M. HAZEN, SUPERINTENDENT
- 26 -
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CHAPTER FIVE
RENTON SCHOOLS IN 1936
When Oliver M. Hazen became Superintendent of Schools of
the Renton School District No. 7 on August 15 , 1936 , the School
District was operating the following three schools : Renton
Junior-Senior High School, Henry Ford Elementary School and
Sartori Elementary School.
At that time there were 48 certificated employees and
1,200 students enrolled in the various grades . There were in
addition, nine non-certificated employees, including Miss Olive
Guitteau who was a much beloved school nurse for many years in
this School District. Miss Eva Pistoresi, now Mrs . Charles
Camerini, was secretary to the Superintendent and to the High
School Principal . Mr. Charles Mitchell was the engineer of
the Senior High School building, having started at the time
the school opened in 1932 . He was a very mild and lovable man
and served in this capacity faithfully for many years . He was
an outstanding engineer. His assistant, Gomer Williams also
gave faithful service .
The Renton High School was known in those days as having
one of the finest high school campuses in the State of Washington
with very beautifully landscaped grounds . The gardener was
William Reid, who helped to develop the lawn and shrubbery.
One of the most outstanding features of his work was the
beautiful beds of tulips which, each spring added much color
to the surroundings. Most of the tulips were red and white
- 27 -
w ' ch corresponded to the school colors . On Sunday afternoons,
m y cars stopped in front of the high school and took pictures
of these beautiful flowers .
At that time there was a magnificent tall maple tree in
fr.nt of the building. Tree surgeons worked at various times
in an effort to save this landmark, but eventually it had to
be removed for safety purposes . Prior to that time two Chinese
E s were planted near that location. These beautiful trees
ar- still standing. Bill Reid, as he was known, was a favorite
of the students who took great pride in the beautiful lawn and
fl.wer beds . No one was ever seen walking on the grass .
H. E. Rumery was custodian of the Junior High School
Bulding. He too served the District faithfully for many years .
Frank Spencer, another Renton old timer, was custodian at the
Henry Ford School and gave excellent service throughout his term
of service. Claire Shaff was custodian at the Sartori School .
He, too was a faithful employee and was always available to help
teachers and students .
The list of non-certificated staff was completed by Marina
Zili who was secretary to the Principal at the Henry Ford School .
Inflater years she was employed at the Senior High School Building.
I
During the summer of 1936 , before the arrival of the new
Superintendent, the former Superintendent, Mr. Ernest W. Campbell,
to ;ether with the School Board worked out a reorganization of
th . schools in the District. Prior to that time there had been
a .enior High School and a Junior High School served by different
Pr ncipals . Since the two buildings were adjacent to each other,
th . modern facilities in the Senior High School such as manual
tr ining shops , home economic labs, music and art departments
we e used for Junior High classes as well as by Senior High
students . It was deemed advisable and desirable to have both
- 28 -
schools under one Principal. Mr. A. W. Dimmitt, who had been
an Elementary School Principal in the Renton School District
from 1911 till 1932 had been serving as Principal of the Renton
Senior High School from the time it opened in 1932 up to 1936 .
He decided that his preference was with Elementary School children,
so he was appointed Supervisor and Principal of the two Elementary
schools, with his office at the Henry Ford Building. John A.
Thomson, was appointed Vice-Principal with his office at the
Sartori Building.
Mr. Perry H. Mitchell, who had been Principal of the Junior
High School, was appointed Principal of the Junior-Senior High
School and Mr. Stanley I . Thompson, who had been Principal of
Sartori School was appointed to be Vice-Principal of the Junior-
Senior High School with his office in the Junior High School
Building.
Mr. John Thomson became interested in research work and was
soon appointed Research Director for the School District in
addition to his responsibilities at the Sartori School. This
work gradually developed an interest in the welfare of handicapped
children and throughout the years he expanded in this field and
became Director of the Special Services Department throughout the
District. He served with much distinction until his retirement
in the late 1960 ' s . An indication of his success along this line
is verified by the fact that the Skyway School was renamed the
John and Marian Thomson School and is devoted entirely to the
education of handicapped children under the able directorship of
Mr. Miles Goodwin, who worked many years with Mr. Thomson. Mrs .
Thomson served as a Home Visiting Teacher for students at all
grade levels who were confined to their homes due to illness or
accident.
- 29 -
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A. W. DIMMITT PERRY H. MITCHELL
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JOHN THOMSON ` /
— 30 —
It is interesting to note that many members of the faculty
at that time later assumed very responsible administrative
positions throughout the District.
Stanley I . Thompson, Principal of the Renton Junior-Senior
High School, gave very valuable service during the years when
growth was rapid. Later he became Administrative Assistant in
charge of Curriculum and Instruction for the entire School District.
He retired in 1971 . Mr. Thompson had all his educational experi-
ence in the Renton School District. Starting as an Elementary
teacher in the Henry Ford School, he later served as Principal
of the Earlington School and then Sartori School . His services
throughout the many years contributed much to the welfare of the
hundreds of students who were under his supervision.
It is interesting to note that his son, Jack Thompson, is
now one of the Area Administrators . He was educated in the
Renton Schools and has been on the staff since 1959 when he
became a teacher at the Orillia School .
Miss Dusalina Cavaletto, hired in September of 1927 , was
the Renton High School Librarian and Study Hall Teacher. The
library in the new High School was separated from the auditorium
by a glass partition. Opera chairs were installed in the front
part of the auditorium and the back section had study hall desks .
Miss Cavaletto supervised both the study hall and the library
until 1956 . By that time, the new Physical Educational Building
had been constructed and the old gymnasium, which was a part of
the original High School building, was converted into a library.
Miss Cavaletto continued as the Renton High School Librarian
until her retirement in 1963 .
Mr. J. L. Davidson was a typing teacher, physcial education
instructor and assistant coach . After serving as Vice-Principal
- 31 -
i'.
I,
o the Junior-Senior High School, he became the Director of
t e School Lunch Program throughout the entire District until
his retirement in 1967 . Mr. Davidson did an outstanding job
i working with the architects in the planning of the cafe-
t�•rias that were incorporated in the many schools constructed
d' ring this time. He was an efficient Administrator and kept
t e costs of his department within receipts .
1 / \ /
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STANLEY THOMPSON MISS CAVALETTO
J. L. DAVIDSON
Ray Howard was a History teacher and Athletic Coach at
Renton High School . In 1937 he became Principal of the Okanogan
H gh School and the following year became Superintendent of
S.hools at Okanogan. He later served as Superintendent of the
Bellevue Schools and then was appointed as Superintendent of
t e newly reorganized Shoreline School District. He did an
o tstanding job in this new District in planning and implementing
J nior and Senior High School construction and programs . In
a•dition, he was the main mover and planner of the Shoreline
C ' unity College . He was a Renton boy, educated in Renton
S ools. He is now retired and lives near Renton. His brother,
Crl'' Howard served with the Renton School District for many
years as a teacher and Elementary School Principal.
I! - 32 -
I'I
C. G. Meyers, who was called "Pete" by everyone, was a
teacher of chemistry and physics . As the District grew in size
during World War II, he was appointed Director of Maintenance,
Operation and Purchasing. "Pete" did an outstanding job until
his retirement in 1967. He carried a very heavy load with great
distinction.
Hamilton Church was a Social Science Teacher in the Junior
High School. Prior to that he had taught in the Elementary grades
and had been Principal at the Earlington School . Later, he became
Principal of the Sartori and the Henry Ford Elementary Schools .
When Mr. A. W. Dimmitt retired as the Director of Elementary
Schools , Mr. Church was appointed to that position . Mr. Church
completed his many years of service in the Renton School District
as Director of Personnel. He retired in 1969 .
/// \ / . \
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C. G. MEYERS HAMILTON CHURCH
- 33 -
I. Mr. Rudolph Seppi was a Social Science Teacher at the Junior-
h
Se;iior High School. In later years he served as the High School
Basketball and Track Coach . In 1943 he took a leave of absence
to join the Navy. He received a commission and served in the
Pacific area during World War II . When he returned to the
District he was appointed as the coordinator of new construction.
He was instrumental in the selection of sites for new schools
and worked closely with the architects during construction. Many
buildings were constructed during his years of service in this
capacity. Mr. Seppi retired in 1971.
Lewis A. Argano was a teacher at the Henry Ford School.
During the spring of 1942 he served as Principal of the Bryn
Mar Elementary School . After that he was Principal of the
He7iry Ford School until 1946 when he was appointed Director of
the Audio Visual Department . Mr. Argano served in this position
until his retirement in 1970 . He did excellent work in develop-
ing this department.
J Miss Sara E. Sample was a second grade teacher for many
years at the Henry Ford School. Later she became Primary
Supervisor for the District and did outstanding work with the
primary teachers in the various schools . She was of great
help in organizing the Kindergarten Program throughout the
School District. She retired in 1968 .
011,
MR. SEPPI MR. ARGANO MISS SAMPLE MISS TELBAN
- 34 -
Miss Ethel Telban was the only new teacher hired for the
school year 1936-37 . She was assigned to the fourth grade at
the Sartori School . In 1938 she was transferred to the Henry
Ford School and beside her teaching responsibility was in charge
of the school library. In time she became the librarian for all
Elementary Schools in the District and still later, the Librarian
in charge of all libraries throughout the District. She did an
excellent job working with the various school librarians and her
final accomplishment was the development of an outstanding pro-
fessional library now located in what was previously the Henry
Ford School. She retired in 1974 .
It wouldn 't be right not to mention the other members of
the faculty during that school year . In the Senior High School:
L. W. Byers, English and Journalism; Elsie Chandler, English;
Martha Davidson, Oral Expression; Merle French, Social Science;
Laura Hamilton, English (she taught Senior English and was an
advisor to the Senior Class) ; Ralph James , Band, Orchestra and
Chorus; Loretta Loree, French, Health and P .E . ; Lot Peterson,
who was the manual training teacher in the District from about
1916; Gertrude Schlauch, Geometry and Bookkeeping; Celia B.
Schultz, Home Economics; Marian Thomson, Biology and Botany;
Kathryn Watt, Typing and Stenography.
In the Junior High School: Johanna Arps , Music and Art;
Foster Kirk, Health, P .E . and Science (later he conducted the
chorus) ; Hazel McKenna, Health and P .E . ; Frances Merriman,
English and Junior High Librarian; E . H. Pritchard, Mathematics;
Gwendoline Showell, English; Gladys Steel, Science. Mrs . Steel
taught in the District from the middle teens until her retirement
in 1947 . Prior to being assigned to the Junior High School level
she had taught in Elementary Schools and had served as Principal
of the Earlington and Sartori Schools . She still lives in her
little home in North Renton on Pelly Avenue and is beloved by
the hundreds of pupils who were under her supervision. In recent
years she was honored by Renton High School Alumni Association,
and by the Lions Club .
- 35 -
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First Row: Mrs. Steel, Mrs. Nelson, Miss Meyers, Mrs. MacWhirter, Mrs. Lloyd, Mrs. Wycoff, Miss Schlauch
Sepond Row: Mrs. Webb, Miss Schultz, Miss Stewart, Miss Crane, Mrs. Merryman
11
Th_rd Row: Mr. Fox, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Ellefson, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Wilson
„. ,. .. = . .....4tr. „,,., .".., ' *.,,,,, Now
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first Row: Mr. Carr, Mrs. Pringle, Miss Flew, Miss Chandler, Miss Cavaletto, Mrs. Strickland, Mrs. Brown
Mrs. Mort, Mr. Myron
Sec nd Row: Mrs. Skordahl, Miss Gillis, Miss French, Mrs. Strand, Miss Holt, Mr. Tufarola, Miss Stewart,
Miss Singleton, Mrs. Siceloff, Miss Arps
— 36 —
Teachers in Henry Ford School were: Katheryn Allison,
Marion Edgerly (who was a first grade teacher in the District
for many years and for some time served as Secretary in the
Superintendent' s Office) , E . Frances Gallacher, Cecelia Gill,
Aurelia Jo Lakow, Mildred Padden, Mary Phelan, Elizabeth Rolph,
Maple Schleif (now Mrs. Carl Howard) , Marjorie Wicker (now Mrs .
Douglas Fisher) .
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Seated: Miss Phelan, Miss Allison, Miss Schleif, Miss Lakow
Standing: Mr. Dimmitt, Miss Gill, Miss Gallacher, Miss Edgerly, Miss Klepach, Miss Sample, Miss Wicker
Mr. Argano, Miss Padden
Teachers at the Sartori School were Joy Efteland, Mary
McCormick, Pansey McGaughey and Bessie Williams .
At this time the Superintendent' s office was located on
the second floor of the Senior High School, just to the left
of the main entrance to the building. The space consisted of
an outer office, for the secretary and the mail boxes for the
- 37 -
acuity members . Both the Superintendent and the High School
Pi.incipal had their offices in this suite. The combined space
occupied an area about equal to a standard classroom. The Vice-
Piincipal had his office in the Junior High School Building.
It is interesting to note that in 1936 there was no lunch
program in the School District. When the High School Building
w:s constructed in 1932 space was provided for a cafeteria but
equipment was never installed and no program was undertaken.
T e time schedule allowed one hour for a lunch period and the
m=jority of students had time to walk home for lunch.
At this time the School District did not own any school
b sses . They leased two busses from William Thompson, operator
o the OK Garage, who had two pieces of equipment which were
formerly used for public transportation . One bus brought students
i from the Spring Glen area to both the High School and the
H:nry Ford School. Another bus transported Elementary School
c ildren from the Earlington area to the Henry Ford School.
J nior-Senior High School students living in Earlington walked
t.• school .
The Kennydale and Honey Dew School Districts had their
o n busses and transported their high school students in to
R:nton.
PTA did not exist in Renton at this time. One was organ-
i . ed a few years later.
School Board regulations required that all teachers and
e li•loyees of the School District live within the boundaries of
t1- District. Only single ladies were employed. Martha
D- idson and Marian Thomson, who were married, were employed
p-it of 1936-37 as substitute teachers due to the fact that
n• other qualified teachers were available at the time. These
r-•ulations were abandoned in 1942 when there was a great demand
- 38 -
for teachers as a result of the war and the rapid influx of
people into the School District .
It was assumed that teachers would take an active part in
community affairs . Many assumed responsibility for Scouting
groups and other activities for young people .
At that time, it was the custom for teachers recommended
by the Superintendent for employment to meet with at least one
member of the School Board before final action was taken at an
official meeting. The one member who was always anxious to
interview the applicants was John H . McKnight. He was always
available at his general store located at the corner ,of South
Third and Wells Avenue. This was not much of a burden since
very few teachers were employed during the late ' 30 ' s . Only
twenty-six new teachers were hired from 1936-37 to 1941-42 , for
an average of five new teachers each year. Of that total, four
were the result of new positions which had been created during
that time .
;j . KENNYDALE SCHOOL 1942
M
w � h
- 39 -
it
Following you will find a copy of the teachers salary
[schedule for the school year 1936-37 and the proposed one for
1937-38 which was adopted by the School Board.
SALARY SCHEDULES
1936-37
PRESENT PLAN
EARS OF
BRAINING MINIMUM INCREMENTS MAXIMUM
r Yr. 1200 7 @ 40 1480
Yr. 1350 7 @ 40 1630
Yr. 1500 7 @ 40 1780
1937-38
PROPOSED PLAN
Yr. 1200 8 @ 48 1584
Yr. 1296 8 @ 54 1728
Yr. 1404 8 @ 60 1844
Former experience allowed at discretion of Board.
Recommend 2 years for prior experience at $100 per year.
Extra increments should be allowed for special positions
such as coaches, music, etc.
The Board should reserve the right to make any changes
in the schedule which it deems advisable so far as certain
individuals may be concerned.
- 40 -
ry
CHAPTER SIX
SCHOOL DISTRICT REORGANIZATION - 1942
About the year 1940 there were 200 individual school
Districts in King County. A similar situation prevailed through-
out most of the State of Washington. As a result, the Legislature
passed a law which provided for the reorganization of school
districts into larger units which would be more efficient to
operate.
The law provided for a State reorganization committee, and
also such a committee in each county. The county committee studied
the situation in King County and recommended the combination of
various districts into larger ones.
Six districts in the Renton area were considered for re-
organization into one school district; namely, Orillia #5 , which
was organized August 10, 1878; Renton #7 , August 10, 1878 ;
Elliott #47, November 6, 1885; Bryn Mawr #97 , February 5 , 1894;
Honey Dew #125, August 14 , 1897; and Kennydale #147, September 12,
1904 .
The county committee held public meetings in each of the
school districts to explain the plan with its many advantages and
to receive the reaction of the citizens. On January 31, 1942 the
voters of these six districts voted for or against the reorganization
into one district. The majority of voters favored the idea. The
name of the newly reorganized district was Renton School District
#403.
On February 12, 1942 the new School Board for Renton School
District #403 met for the first time. The directors were Jack
- 41 -
loowne, E. K. Arnold, Hayden Williams, A. E. Wright and August
S hoenbachler. Mr. Browne was elected chairman and E. K. Arnold,
c erk. Oliver M. Hazen, who had served as Superintendent of Schools
the Renton School District #7 since 1936, was asked to continue
i' that capacity with the new school district.
Since World War II was underway, and much industrial activity
w: s being developed in the Renton area, people were moving in , causing
a gradual increase in enrollment. The five outlying districts, with
limited classrooms, found it difficult to handle the increasing
e rollment. As a result, on March 24 , 1942, the School Board
d-cided that beginning with the next school year, September 1942 ,
a '1 7th and 8th graders would be transported to the Renton Junior
H gh School, thus relieving the congestion in these smaller elemen-
t. ry buildings.
On July 1, 1942 , Renton School District #403 became a First
Class school district because it had a population of over 10, 000
c tizens. The law requires that a First Class district must have
a ,Secretary of the Board and Business Manager. Mr. H. R. Johnson,
w '. had been principal for several years at the Bryn Mawr Elementary
S•bool was selected for this position. He served in this capacity
i an admirable way until his death in 1970, one year before he had
p ,armed to retire.
As a First Class district it became necessary for the Business
Ma' ager to issue all warrants for payment of obligations instead of
ha ing the County Auditor do this work as was done previously.
At the time of reorganization in January 1942 , the Orillia
Sc ool District #5 had an enrollment of 72 .
Renton School District #7 had 1, 422 students in grades one
th ough twelve at the time of reorganization, with 52 teachers.
Th Directors were Jack Browne, E. K. Arnold and Hayden Williams.
Elliott School District #47, located on the Maple Valley High-
wa . just southeast of Renton, consisted of one classroom and a
- 42 -
covered play shed. There were 25 pupils and the teacher was
Catheryn Besekei . The School Directors were William J. Henry,
John Forsland and Albert Hansen.
Bryn Mawr School District #97 operated two elementary schools,
one at Bryn Mawr with eight classrooms but using only seven teachers
and a two room school building at Campbell Hill, on South 131st and
66th Avenue South. Mr. H. Raymond Johnson had been principal and
teacher of the 8th grade at Bryn Mawr since 1934. There were 160
pupils at Bryn Mawr with seven teachers and 56 at Campbell Hill -
with two teachers. The School Directors were George H. Hisey,
G. A. Morrell and Albert T. Miskimens.
Honey Dew School District #125 was located at the corner of
Sunset Highway and Union Avenue S.E. It was a two room frame building
serving grades one through six, totaling 60 students. The teaching
principal was Mr. Oscar F. Anderson. His wife Jessie handled the
primary grades. As soon as the new district was organized, the 5th
and 6th grades were transferred to Renton to relieve an over crowded
condition which developed. Mr. Anderson then was transferred to
the Henry Ford School as a teacher for part time and also supervised
the administrative problems at the Honey Dew School. The School
Directors at Honey Dew were A. E. Wright, Wallace D. Weger, and
Ernie Bennett.
Kennydale School District #147 operated grades one through
eight with a total enrollment of 209 pupils with seven teachers.
E. J. Beck was principal at the time. A previous principal who had
served the district for many years was G. E. Mitchell. The School
Directors were Albert A. Miller, Paul C. Patterson, and Elmer T.
Warren.
It is interesting to note that after most of the school dist-
ricts in King County had been reorganized, there were only twenty-
one school districts instead of 200.
- 43 -
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ORILLIA SCHOOL
— 44 —
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CHAPTER SEVEN
THE FIVE ELEMENTARY DISTRICTS
ORILLIA SCHOOL DISTRICT #5
The Orillia School District was located in the southwestern
part of what is now the Renton School District No. 403 . The
school was located on five acres of land at the corner of West
Valley Highway and South 180th Street .
The District was organized in 1878 . At that time , a one
room frame building was constructed for a school house . A few
years later a larger building was built. It was the center of
the community. Part of that structure still was used as a
storage warehouse in 1968 .
A four room brick building was built in 1921 with two
additional classrooms added a few years later. In addition,
there was a two story frame building located at the back of
the school which was used for many years . The lower level was
used for assemblies and another section for a lunch room. Many
community groups made use of these facilities . The upper floor
was a gymnasium with a stage at one end.
Fred Nelsen, a pioneer in the area, was a school board
member from 1907 to 1935 . His wife served after his term. His
daughter, Rose Nelsen Anderson was a School Director in 1941
along with William Culliton and August Schoenbachler, who were
members at the time the Orillia District became a part of Renton
School District #403 .
- 45 -
In 1942 this District combined with five other School
D stricts in the area and became a part of Renton School
District No. 403 . At the time the larger District was being
c.nsidered, a public meeting of Orillia citizens was held at
t e school under the supervision of the King County Reorgani-
z:tion Committee .
Prior to this time the high school students living in the
Orillia District were transported by District bus to the Kent
High School. Many citizens as well as Kent school officials
anted the District to become a part of the Kent School District.
ethers were in favor of uniting with Renton. Discussion was hot
and heavy. The committee was perplexed as to what was best to
•o.
Finally the Renton School Superintendent suggested that the
committee arrange for an official election of all registered
Voters in the District to choose between Kent and Renton. The
•uperintendent promised that if the final decision favored Renton,
- 11 high school students attending the Kent School District at
'hat time would be permitted to continue at Kent until they
• raduated, with the Renton District furnishing the transportation .
he majority of voters favored Renton, so the County committee
ncluded Orillia in the proposed new District consisting of
urillia #5, Renton #7 , Elliott #47, Bryn Mawr #97 , Honey Dew
i125 and Kennydale #147 . An official election was held on
ebruary 7, 1942 at which time a majority of the voters favored
V
-the new combined District called Renton School District No. 403.
n accordance with state regulations, all reorganized Districts
in King County assumed a new number beginning with number 400 .
From that date on, the Orillia School was under the super-
vision of the school officials of the new District. Frequent
- 46 -
contacts were made with Orillia citizens in order to know their
opinions on various matters . Mr. August Schoenbachler, a pros-
perous dairy farmer, who was a previous member of the Orillia
School Board, became one of the Directors of the new Renton
District.
The southern boundary of the Orillia District was South
192nd Street. The western line was approximately the present
location of Interstate Freeway No. 5 . The north line went
through the middle of the present site of the Southcenter
Shopping Center and also included Renton Junction and Longacres
Race Track. On the east, the District went up to the foot of
Benson Hill.
Most of the area consisted of low valley land especially
suited for farming. There were several large dairy farms in
the area as well as Ivan Umbedacht ' s large farm where he grew
beans, corn and other types of vegetables . All the land now
occupied by Southcenter Shopping Center and the big industrial
park south of it was used for dairy farms .
Since this was mainly an agricultural area, the number of
families living in the District were few. As a result there
were only 72 pupils enrolled in the school when reorganization
took place. There were four teachers with each one handling
two grades . Mr. Roy Stratton was principal and taught grades
7 and 8 . Previous principals were Gerald Molden and Elmer Kennedy.
During the year 1942 , the Renton area began to grow due to
war activities . This brought more school pupils to be educated.
The Orillia school gave the District some extra space to which
students could be transported from the Spring Glen and Benson
Hill areas. Six teachers were assigned, making full use of all
classroom space with a total of 180 students compared to 72 the
previous year. Gerald G. Long was Principal and taught the 6th
Grade .
- 47 -
During the following years, the land in much of the Orillia
ar-a was taken over for industrial and commercial purposes . This
el' minated farm homes from which former pupils came, thus the
n •er of pupils gradually declined and most pupils had to be
tr=nsported from other parts of the District. Fewer than 10
ch' ldren were within walking distance of the school.
In the meantime, new schools had been constructed at Spring
Gl-n, Cascade and Benson Hill which could adequately care for
the pupils from those areas which had been bussed to Orillia.
As a result, the Orillia School was closed in February 1968
after 90 years of school history .
In 1973, the five acre site and buildings were sold by the
School District for $124, 281 and deposited in the building fund
0 be used for capital outlay purposes .
- 48 -
ELLIOTT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 47
The author has not been able to find any records per-
taining to the former Elliott School District. At the time
the Elliott District became a part of Renton School District
No. 403, there was a one room school located in Cedar River
Valley. The teacher was Kathryn Besecker who taught 25
students from grades 1 to 8.
Beside the school building, there was a large covered
play area which was used to good advantage during bad
weather.
The members of the School Board at the time of re-
organization were John Forslund, Albert Hansen and William
J. Henry.
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ELLIOTT SCHOOL 1911
- 49 -
BRYN MAWR SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 97
Bryn Mawr School District No. 97 included that area
between Renton and Seattle city limits along the west slope
of Lake Washington and extended westward across the hill to
Empire Way, formerly called the Dunlap Canyon Highway. The
District included those areas now served by the Bryn Mawr,
Lakeridge and the Campbell Hill Schools . Records are vague
'as to the construction of the original buildings in this
;District. It is known that there was a one room Elementary
school on the old Campbell Hill site during the year 1910 .
About 1915 a two room school was constructed on the same site.
This building had two classrooms with play space in the base-
ment. During the early ' 50s it was necessary to convert the
;basement play rooms into classrooms so that four teachers could
serve the number of students available. This frame building
ceased to operate for school purposes in 1956 when the new
Campbell Hill School was constructed.
In 1942, at the time of reorganization, the Bryn Mawr
School consisted of a three story frame building with two
classrooms on the third floor, two on the second and restrooms
and storage place on the lower level . In addition, there was
a large gymnasium with a stage at one side. Some notes indicate
.hat this building was constructed in 1915 . This fact cannot
6e verified, however.
In 1931 a two story brick veneer building was constructed
adjacent to the old frame building. There were four classrooms
On the upper level and play rooms and other facilities on the
lower level. About 1950 four additional classrooms were added
to this structure on the west side . In 1956 a new building
consisting of six classrooms, library, multi-purpose room with
kitchen, office area and new boiler room was constructed north
of the old frame building which later was razed.
- 50 -
It is interesting to note that prior to reorganization in
1942 , most high school students from the Bryn Mawr area attended
the Franklin High School in Seattle . It was convenient for them
to ride on the street car which ran from Renton through Bryn Mawr
into Seattle. After reorganization the high school students came
to Renton due to the fact that bus transportation was then provided.
•
11 111111 III II
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CAMPBELL HILL SCHOOL 1942
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1"11,44, 'II t."
BRYN MAWR SCHOOL 1942
- 51 -
HONEY DEW DISTRICT NO. 125
At the time the Honey Dew School District became a part
of Renton School District No. 403, it was having problems taking
c.re of all the students living in that District. Prior to this
t 'me, arrangements had been made to have the students in 7th and
8 .h grade taken into the Renton Junior High School.
Due to war activities in the Renton area, the population
wiz increasing and in February 1942 , immediately after reorgani-
z4tion, Mr. Anderson recommended that grades 5 and 6 be trans-
pdrted to the Henry Ford School, thus relieving the crowded
condition.
It was a very fortunate thing that reorganization took place
w1en it did, as at that time the Federal ,:,cvernment, through the
R=nton Housing Authority, was making plans to construct 2 , 000
1 'ving units in the Highlands area. Three fourths of that
h.using project was within the old Honey Dew boundary. Imagine
t e problems that this old two room School District would have
i trying to meet this great influx of students .
The area previously served by the little two room Honey Dew
S.hool now has the Renton Highlands School, Sierra Heights, the
nefa Honey Dew School and Maplewood Heights .
During the second year of reorganization, it was necessary
to operate a class in the Grange Hall which was located immediately
in back of the school. This building was owned by the School
Di trict but leased to the Grange . That made it possible for
th ee teachers to function at that location. After the new
Honey Dew School was in operation, the old building ceased to
function as a school. In later years the Grange purchased the
building and land so that it might continue to use that facility.
At{ a later date, the rest of the property was sold for commercial
purpose s.
- 52 -
Early History of Honey Dew School from notes written by
Lillie Beale who came to Renton in 1905 and was one of the school ' s
first Board members:
"First record of any school in this District dated back
to 1898 . The school term at that time was three months,
and it was held in Mr. Morgan ' s house during the first
year and later in various homes . There were from three
to ten pupils . In 1900 the school site at the corner of
132nd and Sunset Highway was purchased. A frame building
20 x 28 ft. was built in 1901 . The school term was three
months, but in August 1902 the School Board decided to have
a five month term and in 1903 a six month term. In 1904
a five mill levy was asked, to enable the District to
furnish free text books . By 1909 it was possible for the
school to hold school for eight months , and the following
year a nine month term was established.
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HONEY DEW SCHOOL 1942
- 53 -
During these years the school grounds were cleared and in
1911 maple trees were planted in front of the school . In
1914 an organ was purchased. The first record of having
a janitor was in 1916 . At this time the enrollment was
about forty. This included all eight grades . In 1919 the
one room school could no longer accomodate the fast
growing enrollment. After voting bonds, etc. the
modern two room school was built just north of the
old building. Well equipped and housing some sixty-
five pupils, things were going beautifully until
August 5, 1924 , when from some source the school was
burned to the ground and all equipment lost also.
Once more the little old school was temporarily used
until a new building similar to the one burned was
built in 1925 , except this had a larger basement.
Later a new addition to the old building was used for
school programs and graduations . The last eighth
grade graduation was held in 1933 and after that the
seventh and eighth grades were sent to Renton. In
September, 1965 the little two room school was torn
down and the property sold. The Elementary pupils
are now occupying a large new school located at 800
Union Avenue Northeast formerly known as 132nd.
Early teachers, teaching alone: Mr. Morgan, Mrs. Gardner,
Lena Sherman, Rose McNeal,
Mrs . Dodge and Mae Atwood
Later teachers when couples were needed:
Mr. and Mrs . Wm. Boyce Mr. & Mrs . Vilas Berto
Mr. and Mrs . Geo. Hall Mr. and Mrs . Manfred Wallace
Mr. and Mrs . Lloyd Barrett
Mr. and Mrs. Oscar F. Anderson"
- 54 -
KENNYDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 147
The original Kennydale School District was located north
of Renton along the eastern shore of Lake Washington. The
gradual slope up from the lake afforded many choice view lots
for homes . This area was called Hillman ' s Garden of Eden in
early days .
At one time there were two schools operated in this
District. One was called the Kennydale School located at the
present site of the new school. The other was a two room
school located in the northern part of the District in an area
called Hazelwood. Records show that the Hazelwood School was
in operation in 1915 . Facts are not available as to when the
building was constructed, or when it ceased to operate with the
students being transferred to Kennydale School .
Records are not available as to the number of different
buildings at the Kennydale site or the sizes . Old timers report
that there were at least two frame buildings at different times .
During the middle thirties there was a very large frame building
being used for school purposes . There must have. been eight
classrooms since there was an enrollment of 209 students .
During the latter part of the 1930 's , the Kennydale School
Board wisely decided to construct a fireproof building. They
applied to the Government for a WPA Project which granted them
money to purchase material and made it possible for them to hire
unemployed men to do most of the labor. That building was dedi-
cated in 1939 at which time a corner stone was installed.
This structure had eight classrooms, a large gymnasium with
a stage at one end, an adequate cafeteria in the basement level
plus large indoor playrooms under the classroom wing. There were
ample auxiliary facilities such as office space, nurses room, and
storage facilities .
- 55 -
About 1948 additional classrooms were added to this building
to take care of increased enrollment. About 1970 a complete new
Elementary school was constructed for the Kennydale area and the
former building razed.
After the Hazelwood School ceased to function as a school ,
the building was taken over by the Hazelwood Community Club. At
a later date, part of the land was sold to the Fire District which
installed a modern structure to house its fire fighting equipment.
At a still later date, the Community Club purchased the re-
maining property along with the old school building and since that
time it has been used as a community center.
In the early ' 60 ' s, a new Hazelwood Elementary School was
built about a quarter of a mile east of the old site. At one time
this facility served nearly 900 pupils.
• - 56 -
CHAPTER EIGHT
WAR TINE ACTIVITIES - (WORLD WAR II)
The effect of war time activities first hit the Renton
School District in July of 1940 . One Friday afternoon in that
month, the Superintendent left his office to begin his vacation.
When he arrived home he found a copy of the Seattle Times on the
front porch with big headlines, "Boeing to build in Renton: "
From that time on, the occupation of being a Superintendent of
Schools in a static area ceased and the future held many inter-
esting challenges of growth and development .
Actual construction started at the Boeing Plant during the
Fall of 1940 . Employment gradually increased resulting in a
slow but steady increase in the number of students in the School
District. A special problem developed due to the fact that the
old high school building, which was being used as a Junior High,
was condemned as unsafe and it was necessary to tear the building
down in 1941. This meant that all the Junior High School classes
had to be crowded into the Senior High. Three temporary class-
rooms were made in the lower level in space that was originally
designed for a cafeteria. All classrooms were crowded and many
adjustments had to be made .
Construction of a replacement for the old Junior High School
began during the summer of 1941. This structure was a two story
building which was connected with the Senior High School. It was
- 57 -
difficult to get building materials due to the fact that much
construction was going on throughout the area and special permits
head to be obtained from government agencies , especially rein-
forcement steel to be used in the construction of concrete piles
to support the building. The outside walls were nearly completed
by December 7, 1941, when World War II began for our country.
01.1
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL WING 1942
414
4rt mom
Soon the Government stationed troops throughout the Renton
area. Barracks were constructed along the Cedar River in North
Renton to house them. An active USO Center was established on
the second floor of the building now occupied by Santi ' s Furni-
ture Company. The schools cooperated in many ways to make this
program of value . One contribution was authorizing the use of
the Henry Ford School gym for basketball teams from the various
service units .
As previously mentioned in another section, the School District
reorganized in the early part of 1942 adding to the District ' s
- 58 -
responsibilities with additional students and faculty.
The new wing for Junior High school classes was completed
and occupied by the Fall of 1942 , thus giving us additional class-
room space for the months ahead. Soon after the War started, it
was necessary for the District to take steps to black out all
skylights in the various buildings . Regulations prohibited any
light showing which could be seen from above . This was an
especially big job at the Henry Ford School where there were big
skylights in each classroom. All outside lights had to be adequately
shielded so that the rays were directed downward. Many outside
lights had to be eliminated altogether.
The War Department was concerned about the possibility of
airplane raids against Boeing and other industrial areas . As a
result, a system called "air watch" was established with obser-
vation posts being set up in various parts of the county. One
such post was on the top of Renton Hill. This was manned 24
hours a day. Many citizens volunteered for this service in-
cluding those connected with the schools . It was necessary to
watch for all airplanes flying in the area and call in by means
of a direct telephone line to a central place in the County-City
Building. This headquarters then tracked the flights of every
airplane entering and leaving the Seattle area.
By this time the Boeing Plant in Renton was in operation and
employment was gradually increasing. The big problem for the area
was the need for housing facilities . This was provided by means
of a local Housing Authority which purchased many acres of land
in what is now the Renton Highlands and constructed 2 ,000 living
units . An additional 600 apartment units were built on property
now known as the Cedar River Park. As these units became available
for occupancy during the latter part of 1942 and the early part of
1943, school enrollment began to increase very rapidly. For in-
stance, in the Fall of 1943 there was an average increase of 35
new students at the Junior-Senior High School each week. Most
- 59 -
,II
I
Is
1'
s . udents reported on Monday mornings . It was necessary to enroll
tilem, assign them to various classes, occasionally create new classes
a1d hire new teachers.
The existing Elementary schools began to fill up rapidly to
o, er-capacity. The School District bought land from the Housing
A thority in the Renton Highlands and constructed a 20 room frame
b ilding which was the old Highlands Elementary School. It was
known at that time that two such schools would be needed in the
hiusing project. However, due to the scarcity of building
m.:terials, the Government required that all new schools would
hve to be used at double capacity. That meant complete double
shifting of all classrooms .
/
t
W <
' 3
l
HIGHLANDS SCHOOL 1943
The District was fortunate in being able to secure the
services of Mr. William C. Tucker, a former Superintendent of
Schools at Enumclaw, to assume the Principalship of the High-
1' nds School. His knowledge, experience and ability made it
p ssible for the Superintendent to turn over to him the
responsibility of opening and organizing and operating the
Highlands School.
- 60 -
Six classrooms were available for use the second week of
school in the Fall of 1943. Each additional Monday the Con-
tractor turned over two more classrooms and there were enough
new students to fill those additional classrooms each week .
This continued throughout the Fall until all 20 classrooms were
completed. When they were filled, it became necessary to double
shift beginning with the primary grades . Eventually, there were
more than 1, 000 students in this school and part of the time it
was necessary to double shift all six grades . Soon after the War
ended, it was possible to add four more classrooms to this build-
ing and use four classrooms nearby in what was previously a
structure built by the Housina Authority to house nursery school
units . This made it possible to limit the double shifting to the
primary grades until such time as the Hillcrest School was built
at the north end of the housing project .
Mr. Tucker and his faculty members worked out the details
of the double shift program which proved quite adequate and
successful.
W. C. TUCKER
One group of students would report /
at 8 : 00 A.M. and were dismissed at _.
12 : 15 . One teacher handled this class
during the morning hours . At 12 : 30110
8,
another group of students reported to
the classroom and continued until 4 : 45
with another teacher in charge . The �.
afternoon teacher reported to the
building at about 10: 00 A.M. and in
space provided, worked on planning for
her afternoon session. The morning ` /
teacher continued in the building
till about 2 or 2: 30 , working in space provided making her plans
for the following day. Many teachers indicated that because of
this planning session, they found themselves much better prepared
for the classroom work than they did under the normal plan of one
- 61 -
t: acher having a classroom for the entire day. The conclusion of
t ie teachers was that students did not lose out in their educa-
t onal program in the primary grades .
This double shift system was unpopular, however, with parents
a-. it meant that the children were at home and under foot a greater
length of time. It especially worked a hardship where both parents
wire employed during the day. This problem was overcome in some
cases where the father would work the day shift and the mother the
s ing shift, or vice versa, thereby making it possible for one of
t eem to be home at all times .
Due to the fact that the housing units were close together,
i ' was possible for all students living there to walk to and from
school so there was not the problem of furnishing bus transportation.
Another one of the many problems faced by the Administrators
d aring these months was that of securing an adequate number of new
t:achers to take care of the increase in enrollment. Since married
teachers could now be employed by the School District, many former
teachers applied for work . Each week applications were received
f om teachers from throughout the United States, many from the
D. kotas, Montana and Idaho. During the summer months many pros-
p: ctive teachers came to the Seattle area to seek positions . We
would employ them at that time for the opening of school in
S ptember even though we did not need them then, realizing that
during the Fall and Winter the number of students would increase
rpidly and we then would have the teachers available .
It was during the early years of the war that the old
E rlington School building was renovated and put back into use
finishing the District with four additional classrooms.
Soon after the War started, the Government requested the
S hool District to operate nursery schools for children between
t e ages of 2 and 6 so that their mothers might work in war
- 62 -
industries. The District was fortunate in securing the services
of Mrs . Emily Neighbors Dullahant, a local resident who previously
taught home economics in the old Renton High School building, to
assume the responsibility for organizing and operating this
program. Units were operated in the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Hall, the K-P Hall, the Community Building in the Highlands, the
Presbyterian Church, the North Renton Community Building and two
housing units in the Renton Highlands. Parents left their children
at the nursery school on their way to work and picked them up on
their way home at the end of the day. A small fee was charged each
parent but the biggest part of the cost was furnished by the Federal
Government in order that sufficient employees might be available
for the war effort. In the Fall of 1944 , the Government requested
us to operate a swing shift nursery to take care of children from
late afternoon until midnight. This unit was operated in the old
Highlands nursery school building.
Another problem facing the working parents was the care of
their school children before and after school hours when no one
was home . The Government authorized a program known as "The
extended school services" where the School District, with financ-
ing from the Federal Government, took care of these children
before and after school. Many ladies of the community were
employed to operate the nursery schools and the extended school
services.
Early in the Spring of 1942 , soon after the War started,
the State Department of Vocational Education together with Boeing
and Pacific Car and Foundry requested the School District to
operate what they called "National Defense Vocational Classes"
for the training of employees in industry. The entire cost was
funded by the Federal Government. Mr. A. R. MacFarlane was
employed to administer and set up this program. This was the
beginning of what is now known as the Renton Vocational Tech-
nical School.
- 63 -
lip
The first problem facing Mr. MacFarlane was the leasing of
l s.11lce for class purposes , the securing of necessary equipment and
t e employment of instructors .
The old OK Garage owned by William Thompson on Main Avenue
b=tween South Second and South Third was leased by the School
District and the Government furnished $250, 000 worth of machine
e•uipment for the training of machinists . After the war, this
e•uipment was deeded to the School District and it is still in
u+ in the Vocational School.
1
j Mr. MacFarlane also leased the former Plymouth Garage
b 'ilding located on the south side of Bronson Way just east of
t e old City Library. Here classes were established for teach-
i g welding, riveting, bucking and many other skills that were
n eded by the various industries in this immediate area. This
b ilding operated 24 hours a day and all the applicants for work
a the Renton Boeing Plant were required to take instruction
h�re for a two week period before beginning employment.
Additional space was rented at the northeast corner of
N•rth Fourth Street and Factory Street, where Mrs . Peterson
h.d several roofed parking stalls which were leased out, prior
t• that time, to employees of Pacific Car and Foundry. Siding
w.s installed around the building and a heating unit provided
s.'Ithat additional welding classes might operate therein.
Due to the fact that it was practically impossible to buy
ne automobiles during the war years, it was necessary for
i i•ividuals to maintain and operate the cars which they had
p '; or to the war. Consequently, automobiles needed considerable
re°.air and maintenance creating a big demand for car mechanics .
T School District operated a school for this purpose under the
able instruction of William Brown who continued with the School
Di-trict for many years .
it
- 64 -
Ii
One of the first instructors in this program was James
McCormick who is still with the District. He plans to retire
on June 30, 1975 . Arnold Hagen was the instructor of the
machine shop. He continued with the School District for many
years until he resigned to accept employment with the Boeing
Company.
Thousands of individuals were trained in these various
classes during the war years . The Vocational program continued
after that time and details concerning this will be found in
that part of this report entitled "Vocational Education. "
While all these extra activities were going on, it was
necessary for the School District to take care of the many new
students that enrolled at the Junior-Senior High School . This
was accomplished in various ways .
In order to double the capacity of the gymnasium, a heavy
canvas was installed across the middle. This made it possible
for two P.E. classes to carry on at one time, thus doubling the
number of students who could make use of that facility during
each class period. Space was leased in the Lutheran Church across
the street from the High School where several classes were held.
Space was also secured in the basement of that building for the
operation of a cafeteria to serve high school students. The
number of students assigned to each class was increased so as to
absorb a greater number in the building.
One serious problem was how to make full use of special
departments such as science, typing, home economics, where the
classrooms were set up to handle a definite number of students.
Mr. Stanley Thompson, Principal, worked out a plan to solve this
problem by setting up a school day consisting of 8 periods in-
stead of the normal 6. In this way these special facilities could
be used for an extra two hours each day.
- 65 -
The plan divided the student body into three equal groups.
T e first group attended school for six periods from 8 : 00 A.M.
to, 2 : 30 P.M. The second group were in class from 9 : 00 A.M.. to
3 30 P.M. and the last group began class at 10 : 00 A.M. and were
d smissed at 4 : 40 P.M. Thus, all students had a six period day.
Sl'udents who finished school at 2 : 30 P.M. were in a position to
s:cure jobs in the latter part of the afternoon, thus assisting
i the economy of the area.
The students who started at 8 : 00 A.M. were half of those who
came to school by bus. The 9 : 00 A.M. students were walkers. The
balance of the bus students were the 10 : 00 o' clock students. This
r..ther complex schedule made it possible to transport elementary
p pils to school from 8 : 00 A.M. to 9 : 30 A.M.
The details of this program
will be outlined in another
saction under the heading of "School Transportation. "
Due to the scarcity of gasoline , during the war years ,
ii
s hool busses could be used only to transport students to and
f om school. No longer could they furnish transportation for
t 'e athletic teams when they played away from home. This
p oblem was overcome by an authorization by the School Board
for the teachers to use their private cars to transport
a hletes .
School personnel contributed to the war effort in many
w ys . From May 4 to May 7 , 1942 , all Elementary schools in the
D strict opened at 10 : 30 A.M. and closed at 2 : 00 P .M. This was
d ne so that Elementary teachers might be available in their
c assrooms from 3: 00 P .M. to 9 : 00 P.M. on those days for the
r gistration of citizens for rationing stamps for sugar, gasoline,
s oes and so forth.
Many teachers gave of their time during evening hours work-
ig at ration headquarters where many details had to be handled.
- 66 -
Mr. Hamilton Church, who was then Principal of the Sartori
School, served as the head of the ration program for the area.
He also found time to head up the District-wide recreation
program authorized by the Federal Government to keep young people
busy after school hours .
During these years the roof of the high school building was
used as an observation post when needed by the local air warden ' s
group. The School Board authorized the use of school buildings
for any purpose by the Civil Defense Authorities such as holding
meetings for instructional purposes and for first aid stations
in case of air raids .
Early during the year of 1942 , the United States Government
requested high schools throughout the country to construct model
planes of various kinds to be used by the Armed Forces. The State
Superintendent's Office assigned a quota to each high school in the
State. Renton' s quota was 150 models. These were constructed in
the Industrial Arts Department.
During the year 1944 , more than 500 houses were built in the
Skyway area. This over-crowded the Campbell Hill and Bryn Mawr
Schools. Special classrooms were equipped in the basement of both
of those schools so as to take care of additional students. Some
double shifting was carried on in some of the grades in Bryn Mawr
and also at Earlington and Henry Ford Schools.
When the new Junior High School wing was completed, the Super-
intendent moved his office into that building, thereby making room
for a vice principal and two secretaries in the original offices.
The Business Manager had his office adjacent to the Supetintendent' s.
A switchboard connecting all District schools was installed in the
outer office, operated by Helen Lines who served as receptionist
and continued in these capacities until her retirement in 1970.
As growth continued, it was necessary to employ Mr. C. G. Meyers
- 67 -
a* Administrator in charge of maintenance, operations and purchasing.
Tle School District leased the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Pritchard
a ross the street from the high school which was used by Mr. Meyers
aid others connected with his department.
Duringthe war years, the Pacific Car and FoundryCompany
P Y
p oduced many General Sherman tanks. The Ordinance Department of
t e Government built a two-story building on North Fourth Street
a ross from the Pacific Car and Foundry Company. This was used
b officers who carried on the inspection of the manufacturing of
t e tanks. When the war was over, the government wished to dispose
o that building which had been built on four lots owned by the
P cific Car and Foundry Company. The company sold those lots to
t e School District at a cost of $4, 000. The District then
purchased the building from the government for $7, 000. Thus,
fr an investment of only $11, 000. the School District had an
" 'nstant" Administration Building which was used for that purpose
u til the present Administration Building was built in 1970. This
I'
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.a e
', W/O//,///.'„ ;„a, _ �. £._�.. °$""
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.„,,,,,,,„:„ „,.., ''''''''''-'''-''''--'''' -*''.,,-,.. 1
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ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
- 68 -
made it possible for the School District to use what capital funds
it had for the construction of classrooms without having to construct
an Administration Building.
The World War II years were exciting times and very challenging
for everyone connected with the school program. It is interesting
to note, however, that enrollment increased more in the years
following the war than during the war and reached its peak in the
early 70 ' s (refer to table showing enrollment figures from year to
year) .
- 69 -
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y
r-' 'ill: r °f
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HENRY FORD SCHOOL
- 70 -
CHAPTER NINE
BUDGETS AND FINANCES
As everyone knows, it takes a considerable amount of money to
operate school districts these days. There are several reasons
why schools are more costly now than they were in the past.
First of all, throughout the years the State Legislature has
passed many laws and the State Department of Education has issued
many regulations concerning the operation of schools. There are
also many courses offered today which are of great value to students
which were unknown at the turn of the century.
Another important reason is the great amount of inflation
which has taken place since 1900. In 1916 the School District was
able to purchase a ton of coal for $1. 90. Salaries for teachers
and other employees were low.
One example of state laws and regulations can be found in the
preparation of the annual school budget. At the close of this
chapter you will find the budget for the school year 1922-23 for
Renton School District #7, which consisted of one handwritten
page showing a total expenditure of $80, 697 . Another simple budget
is also shown for the year 1937-38. This budget also covered only
one page and shows a total anticipated expenditure of $118 , 874 .
This was sufficient to employ 48 teachers and 10 other employees.
Now let us take a look at the budget for the school year
1974-75 in accordance with state regulations. This is a published
document consisting of 242 pages. It contains two pages of the
Superintendent' s message to the Board of Directors, citizens and
staff.
- 71 -
11 It goes into great detail as to anticipated revenues from
v ',rious sources, a summary of general fund expenditures , statistics
pertaining to anticipated enrollment and staffing, transportation
s rvices and many other summaries.
In addition the expenditures are listed in various classifica-
t ons, pertaining to all departments, schools and so forth. Such
a budget is a very worthwhile document as it makes it possible for
a yone to see where school funds come from and how they are expended.
1
It is easy to understand why it takes several employees to
compile, duplicate and keep records pertaining to such a budget.
In lookingthrough old minute books, one comes to the con-
clusion g
clusion that the citizens of Renton have been good supporters of
t eir schools throughout the years. During the late teens and the
t 'enties, the School District had difficulties in having the
r:venues equal the expenditures and in some years went in the red.
Between 1916 and 1919, the voters approved a four mill levy
e-ch year. In 1921 an extra 7 mill levy was approved by a vote of
342 to 102 . In 1923 an extra ten mill levy was voted.
In 1926 when the total assessed valuation of the School
District was only two and a half million dollars, the voters
approved 4 mills to raise $10 , 000 for the general fund, two extra
'I m 11s to raise $5, 000 for the building fund and 4 extra mills to
r.`ise $10 , 000 for the bond redemption fund.
il
41
The same number of extra mills were approved in 1927 for the
t ' ee funds with the vote of 587 yes and 225 no. The same proce-
t ' es were followed in 1928 and 1929.
Reference was made above to three different types of funds.
T 110
general fund covered the operating costs of the School District.
,,u
T state allowed the School Directors to assess a certain number
oil mills to raise money for that purpose. In addition, certain
allowances came from county and state sources.
- 72 -
l
The building fund contained money for capital expenditures
with which the District purchased land, built buildings and
furnished equipment. Monies for this fund came either from a
special levy voted by the people or the authorization by the
public of the issuance of bonds.
Bonds are generally sold at a time when low interest rates
can be secured. The money is then put into the Building Fund of
the District and is paid out gradually as needed.
Sometimes it might be six months or a year before a given
construction program begins. It generally takes at least one year
before a given building is completed and furnished with equipment.
The contractor is paid each month for the amount of work completed
during the previous thirty days. As a result, a great deal of the
money in the Building Fund is intact. The law allows the School
Directors to invest that money in U. S. government bords for a
period of 90 days, six months, etc . The rate of interest on the
government bonds is always higher than the interest on the School
District bonds. This interest, from government bonds, is added
to the Building Fund.
During the past twenty years, the School District has realized
many thousands of extra and much needed dollars for its building
program by following this procedure. The bond fund was maintained
for the purpose of retiring bonds and paying interest thereon.
A few examples will show how these various funds operate.
For instance, on December 3, 1910, the voters approved a bond
issue of $65, 000 by a favorable vote of 265 to 77 to construct the
first Renton High School building. The bonds were sold to the
lowest bidder and the money received from the sale of the bonds
was placed in the building fund, from which the District purchased
land, paid the contractor and secured necessary equipment.
When the voters approved the issuance of these bonds the
authorization made it possible for the School District to make a
- 73 -
leviy every year sufficient to pay off the bonds, some of which
were due each year plus interest. The money received from this
le y went into the bond redemption fund and the County Treasurer
pa d it out as the bonds were retired and interest was due.
It is interesting to note that on May 21, 1921, the voters
ap roved a bond issue to construct the Henry Ford School by a vote
of 342 to 102 .
I In 1929 the Puget Sound Power and Light Company constructed
the Shuffleton Steam Plant on the lower end of Lake Washington.
This added a considerable amount of valuation to the School Dis-
tr{ict and helped to relieve it of some of the problems it had
fajced the previous ten years. In 1930 the voters approved a bond
Hsue in the amount of $200, 000 for the construction of the new
Renton High School which still stands on South Second Street.
Again, to show the interest of the public in their schools,
the voters approved in 1938 a special 10 mill levy by a vote of
1,102 to 158 for the construction of a brick building to house
t e Sartori School, replacing the old frame structure. Again, on
S ptember 27 , 1940 , the voters approved a 22 mill special levy to
✓ ise $101, 699 to replace the old original high school building
w ich had been condemned and authorized the construction of what
wy known as the Junior High School wing to the Senior High School
biilding.
ili
During the years of World War II , enrollment in the Renton
Sdiools increased very rapidly. Building materials and labor to
cc� struct new schools was very scarce, so the District got by the
be' t it could by means of double shifting. The School Directors
c.;l' ld see however, that as soon as the war ended it would be
il
nil essary to start a building program as soon as possible. As a
r4,-ult, on November 7, 1944, a year before the war was over, the
v+ers approved a bond issue in the amount of $645 , 000. These
be ids were sold at the very low rate of 1. 25% interest.
u
- 74 -
From that time on, as the population and enrollment continued
to increase, there were various special levies and bond issues for
the purpose of buying land and constructing of new buildings. An
outline of these projects will be found in another section of this
book.
Prior to the early 1940' s, school districts in the State of
Washington were on their own so far as raising funds for capital
outlay purposes. In the early 40' s when school enrollment began
to increase, the District was without any money in the building
fund so was unable to build additional facilities. Due to war
activities and the pressure of increased enrollment, the state
legislature and the federal government provided some money for
school construction. The cost of the remodeling of the Earlington
School and the construction of the Highlands Elementary School in
the housing project during the early 40' s was covered by state and
federal money.
Since that time, all capital outlay by various school districts
within the State of Washington has been done by means of local,
state and in many cases, federal funds.
For many years following the war, the citizens of Renton
School District #403 were very fortunate due to the fact that the
federal government had constructed the Boeing plant and the big
foundry at the Pacific Car and Foundry Company. Federal law pro-
vided special money to the School District for each student whose
parents worked on federal property. Also, additional federal money
was available to the District for each student who lived on federal
property, which included all 2 , 000 units in the Renton Highlands
and the 600 units in Cedar River Park.
In addition, the Renton School District had a very high
assessed valuation per pupil enrolled since it was an industrial
area with many manufacturing sand commercial plants and miles of
railroad running throughout the District. Since there was con-
siderable valuation back of each child, it was unnecessary for the
School District to ask the voters to approve special levies for
- 75 -
operating costs until the later part of the 1950' s. At that time
th - special levy was voted every other year for a small levy of
4 or 5 mills.
Gradually the Boeing Company purchased from the federal
go ernment, all the facilities it was occupying at the south end
of Lake Washington and constructed many new buildings. The Pacific
Cal and Foundry Company also purchased the foundry from the govern-
me t. The government also sold to private individuals all the
houses in the Renton Highlands. As this occurred, all this property
went on the tax rolls. This eliminated, almost entirely, the
federal money that had been coming to the School District for many
years. The new taxes, however, did not make up the entire loss of
I
thle federal funds which had been paid previously. So, beginning
witth the 1960' s it was necessary to vote a special levy for operating
costs each year.
\The method of financing new buildings has also changed from
the procedure followed in the earlier years. When the federal
government owned so much property within the District, it contrib-
uted a considerable amount for the construction of new schools .
Th State of Washington also had a special fund for school con-
st uction. This was distributed to the various school districts
th oughout the State in proportion to the need based upon the
assessed valuation back of each school child. Local school dis-
trcts furnished the balance of money needed. This was accomplished
byl means of bond issues or the approval of special levies for the
building fund.
The taxpayers of the Renton School District are still very
fortunate when compared to most other school districts throughout
the county since it is an industrial and commercial center and
hap a high assessed valuation. As a result, the special levies
which are required to keep the School District on a par with other
di tricts throughout the State are much lower than those in other
school districts which have little or no industrial or commercial
property but consist mostly of residential areas.
11
- 76 -
1
Due to the solid support of the community, the Renton Schools
have been able to build, maintain and operate schools which provide
an outstanding educational program for its young people.
- 77 -
BUDGET
School District No. 7
a- filed by County Superintendent of Schools, August 21, 1922 .
I. General Control
1. Secretary Office $ 370.
2. Election and Census 75.
3. Superintendent' s Office 3, 660.
4 . Truancy None
5. Other Expenses None $ 4 , 105.
II Expense of Instruction
1. Salaries of Teachers 59 , 000.
2. Text Books 1, 400.
3 . Supplies 1, 000.
4 . Other Expenses 900. 62 , 300 .
III{ Expense of School Plant
1. Wages of Janitors 6, 000.
2. Fuel 1, 350.
3. Water 125.
4 . Light and Power 450.
5. Janitor Supplies 200.
6. Other Expenses 100. 8 , 225.
IV. Expenses of Maintenance
1. Repair of Buildings and Grounds 200.
2 . Repair & Replacement of Equipment 200.
3 . Insurance 875. 1, 275.
V Expense of Auxiliary Agencies
1. Libraries 150.
2 . Promotion of Health 50.
3. Transportation of Pupils 1, 000. 1, 200.
P P
V. Miscellaneous Expenses
1. Rent None
2 . Other Expenses 2 , 482 . 2 . 482 .
CAPITAL OUTLAY
• idl
Addition to Old Buildings 1, 000.
Equip. of Old Buildings 110. 1, 110.
$80 , 697 .
Signed: Thomas Harries, Clerk, August 19, 1922
- 78 -
RENTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Budget 1937-38
GENERAL CONTROL
1. Secretary' s Office $ 950. 00
2. Elections and Census 15. 00 4 . 6%
7. Superintendent' s Office 4 , 500. 00
5,465. 00
INSTRUCTION
13. Salaries of Principals 8 , 004. 00
14. Expenses of Principals 300. 00
15. Salaries of Teachers 72 , 000. 00 72 . 0%
16. Textbooks 2 , 500. 00
17. Supplies 2 , 800. 00
85, 604 . 00
OPERATION
20. Wages of Janitors 8, 850. 00
21. Fuel 2 , 000. 00
22. Water 400. 00 11. 4%
23. Light and Power 1, 200. 00
24 . Janitor' s Supplies 1 , 000. 00
13, 450. 00
MAIf1TENANCE
27. Rep. Bldgs. & Upk. of Gr. 3 , 000. 00
28 . Rep. & Repl. of Equipment 2 , 000. 00 4 . 8%
29. Insurance 700. 00
5,700. 00
AUXILIARY AGENCIES
33 & 34 . Libraries 1 , 750. 00
35 & 36. Promotion of Health 1, 540. 00 5. 1%
37 & 38 . Transportation 2, 800. 00
6, 090. 00
MISCELLANEOUS
44 & 45. Rent, Tuition, etc. 200. 00 . 2%
200. 00
CAPITAL OUTLAY
47. sand 100. 00 1. 9%
51. Equip. Old Bldgs. & Gr. 2, 265. 00
2, 365. 00
TOTAL $118 , 874 . 00
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ASSESSED VALUATION
RENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7
1915 $1, 988, 535
1920 2 , 191, 440
1925 2 , 553, 212
1930 3 , 928 , 350
1935 3, 982, 841
1940 4 , 622 , 702
RENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 403
1942 7, 686, 692
1945 15, 919, 127
I 1950 19, 061, 988
1955 26, 104, 182
1960 72, 036, 853
1965 112 , 154 , 288
1970 244 , 043, 893
1975 *255, 620, 000
1
a
*Pior to 1971 assessed valuation was based on about 22% of actual
m rket value of property. In 1975 the assessed valuation was
based on 100% of market value. The figure for 1975 above is based
o , the system used prior to 1971 so a true comparison can be made.
'1
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CHAPTER TEN
SALARIES - THEN AND NOW
The comparison of salaries paid teachers and employees in
1975 with those paid many years ago shows the great effect of
inflation on the cost of operating school districts.
The teachers salary schedule for the year 1901-02 provided
that a teacher would be paid $50. a month for the first three
months. If he or she gave satisfactory service, the salary would
be raised to $52. 50 for the balance of the first school year.
The second year if the same teacher was in the District he or she
would receive $55. and $57 . 50 for the third and following years.
In the section of this book entitled, "Renton Schools of 1936"
you will find a copy of the salary schedule for teachers for the
year 1936-37 and the proposed plan for the year 1937-38 . That
schedule shows that the minimum salary for a teacher was $1 ,200
and the maximum $1 , 880 per year.
The salary schedule was very simple and did not provide the
many details that are included in the contracts existing today
between the School Board and the teachers ' association. For
instance , the proposed schedule for 1937-38 provided that former
experience outside the District would be allowed at the discretion
of the Board. The schedule recommended the allowance of two years
so far as placement on the salary schedule was concerned. It is
also interesting to note that the School Board reserved the right
to make any changes in the schedule which it deemed advisable so
far as certain individuals might be concerned.
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j At the same time the engineer at the Renton High School received
a monthly salary of $132. 50 and his assistant $110. per month and
t e gardener $110 per month.
It must be kept in mind that during those years the country
w.: s just recovering from the great depression and jobs were scarce
a d living costs very low.
It is interesting to note that the agreement for the school
y:ar 1975-76 provides a minimum salary of $9 , 400 per year and a
maximum of $18 , 800.
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it
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CHAPTER ELEVEN
ENROLLMENT, GRADUATES AND TEACHERS
The numbers of students, teachers and high school graduates
tell an interesting story pertaining to the history of Renton
Schools. The following figures offer an amazing record of growth
and development:
RENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7
ENROLLMENT AND NUMBER OF TEACHERS
Year Number of Students Number of Teachers
1893 110 3
1895 72 2
1900 158 3
1905 210 8
1910 537 19
1915 721 27
1920 866 33
1925 1, 154 38
1930 1 , 211 41
1935 1 , 271 44
1940 1 , 219 48
1942 1, 422 52
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RENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 403
ENROLLMENT AND NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
K-12 Employees
ear Enrollment Certificated Classified
1
1942 1, 999 71 24
1945 3, 740 151 49
1950 5, 673 209 32
11955 7 , 097 283 133
1960 9, 426 358 186
1965 12, 344 544 239
1970 15, 464 881 344
1975 14, 863 745 467
ENROLLMENT OF SIX DISTRICTS AT TIME OF REORGANIZATION 1942
Students Teachers
OJrillia District No. 5 72 4
R nton District No. 7 1422 52
E liott District No. 47 25 1
B yn Mawr District No. 97 211 8
H ney Dew District No. 125 60 2
K nnydale District No. 147 209 6
TOTAL 1999 71
- 84 -
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES OF RENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 403
Class No. of Graduates Class No. of Graduates
1911 4 1944 146
1912 3 1945 133
1913 8 1946 149
1914 10 1947 218
1915 6 1948 190
1916 9 1949 239
1917 13 1950 214
1918 20 1951 210
1919 10 1952 266
1920 8 1953 265
1921 24 1954 248
1922 12 1955 284
1923 29 1956 314
1924 37 1957 292
1925 49 1958 357
1926 59 1959 351
1927 42 1960 439
1928 51 1961 523
1929 58 1962 529
1930 54 1963 496
1931 71 1964 590
1932 93 1965 809
1933 95 1966 734
1934 105 1967 773
1935 111 1968 781
1936 138 1969 801
1937 115 1970 851
1938 129 1971 895
1939 124 1972 886
1940 149 1973 839
1941 115 1974 860
1942 110 1975 881
1943 132
- 85 -
GRADUATES BY SCHOOLS
Renton Hazen Lindbergh Total
1968 781 781
1969 801 801
] 970 539 312 851
11971 541 354 895
1972 526 360 886
1973 502 337 839
1974 307 328 225 860
1975 292 353 236 881
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/
CHAPTER TWELVE
PTA, SCHOOL LUNCHES, AND KINDERGARTENS
Old records do not contain much information concerning Parent
Teacher Associations. The minute book of the Teacher Council
Organization had a notation as of January 9, 1922 to the effect
that, "the group voted its approval and backing to any forward
steps towards the organization of a PTA for each of the schools in
the Renton School District. "
Another notation dated January 30, 1922 showed that a committee
report on the advisability of PTA was favorable. It pointed out
that the membership dues would be 25�' a year with 15 going to the
state and national organizations and 10 to the local group. "The
objects of the organization would be to advance home life and
develop good citizenship, to distribute literature, carry on practical
activities and cooperate in raising the standards of education in the
public schools both as to variety and scope of literature. "
In the late 30' s, a group of mothers organized a PTA unit for
the entire Renton School District. Two leaders whose names are
recalled were Mrs. S. M. Wiberg and Mrs. George Artus, both still
residents of the Renton School District.
The main activity of that group was the establishment of a hot
lunch program at the Henry Ford Elementary School. The School
Board authorized the Superintendent to cooperate with them in any
way possible. Tables and benches were provided in the east and
south sides of the gymnasium balcony at the Henry Ford School.
A large storage room adjacent was converted into a kitchen. The
school carpenter, Mr. A. Grossi constructed cupboards and working
surfaces. A second hand gas range was purchased and installed.
/
- 87 -
When everything was ready, PTA members volunteered their
services and hot soup and sandwiches were prepared and served to
he students. This was the beginning of the hot lunch program for
the School District which developed rapidly during the following
years, with fully equiped kitchens and cafeteria space in every
school throughout the District under the capable administration and
supervision of J. L. Davidson.
Prior to the reorganization in 1942, the Kennydale and Orillia
PTA' s operated hot lunch programs at their schools.
The first lunch program to be operated in its entirety by the
School District was at the Highlands Elementary School in 1943,
where a kitchen had been provided and folding tables were made
available for use in the adjacent multiple purpose room.
During the war years, the District leased the basement of the
Lutheran Church across the street from the High School and installed
equipment so that a good cafeteria program could operate. Since the
space was limited, a complicated system of six lunch periods was
esjtablished with a new group of students arriving every 15 or 20
miputes, making it possible to maintain a continuous line for
serving and keeping all tables occupied.
In the fall of 1942, Mr. Karl Weber, /
who was the vice principal of the Junior
High School, volunteered to take over the
management of the cafeteria in addition
to his other duties and responsibilities .
The cafeteria operation had a deficit of
about $1,000 by the end of November. 4.y
Under Mr. Weber's management, the deficit
was made up before the end of the school
year and the operation ended in the black
when school closed in June. /
KARL WEBER
- 88 -
In 1946 the District took over the operation of the lunch
programs at Kennydale and Orillia and established hot lunches in
all the schools throughout the District. Mr. J. L. Davidson took
over the management at this point.
Many of the parents who moved into the area in the early 40 ' s
had been active in PTA work in their home communities. It was only
natural that they should continue this interest in Renton. As a
result, there was much interest displayed, and with the cooperation
of the principals and teachers, PTA' s were organized in all existing
schools and as soon as a new school was opened one of the first
things to happen was the development of a PTA organization.
As the number of units increased, it became time to organize
a Renton PTA Council. Some very capable women have served as the
head of the Council throughout the years. Under their leadership,
the Parent-Teacher organization thrived and accomplished much for
the welfare of young people throughout the District.
KINDERGARTENS
For many years the kindergarten program was not a part of the
School District. As people moved into the District during the
early 40' s, interest in kindergartens developed rapidly as these
newcomers were used to kindergartens in their former locations.
Due to the lack of space in the schools it was impossible for
the School District to give any consideration to the establishment
of a kindergarten program. In 1942 the School Board did authorize
the Superintendent to inform parents in the community that Miss
Mary Hamilton was conducting a private kindergarten which was up
to standards in every way.
In the fall of 1948, the District began an experiment with this
program and opened kindergarten centers in the North Highlands
Community Building, the Cedar River Park Community Building, Henry
- 89 -
Ford and Bryn Mawr Schools. These facilities made it possible to
bare for 340 children of kindergarten age. Since 400 applications
ere received it was necessary to give preference to the older
nes during that school year.
This limited program was carried on until the school year
952-53 when the State Legislature decided that state money would
of be allocated for kindergartens. Without this state support it
as impossible for the School District to carry on the program.
i
Various pre-school groups throughout the District became
interested and assumed the responsibility for carrying on the
kindergarten program. The School Board authorized this procedure
end the pre-school groups hired teachers and charged a fee for each
Student. This system continued for several years.
As new elementary schools were built provisions were made at
each school, for a modern kindergarten center. Finally, in 1964 ,
the School Board adopted a policy whereby kindergarten became a
regular part of the educational system of the Renton School District
with bus transportation furnished.
Id
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1 - 90 -
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES
Throughout the years, the Renton School District has had a
history of outstanding athletic teams under the able direction of
many capable coaches. No history of the Renton School District
would be complete without a section dealing with this activity.
When the first high school building was put into operation in
1911, a gymnasium was available for the first time. Even though it
was very inadequate compared to present day standards, it made
possible the existence of basketball teams. This old gym had four
steel supports located in various parts of the floor. The court
was small but the players developed much skill in maneuvering
around the posts and taking advantage of the opponents who were
not familiar with this situation.
Soon after the opening of the school the teams began to excel
in various sports. The boys' basketball team won the County basket-
ball championship in 1916 and the girls ' were champions in 1917 .
The boys ' team won the County title in basketball again for two
straight years in 1919 and 1920.
Even though the student population was small during the first
four years, averaging around fifty, the school carried on a varied
athletic program. An old copy of the 1914 Duwamish, which was the
school annual, reported that the school had a basketball team, a
baseball team and participated in tennis matches with the other
schools of similar size in the County.
Mr. C. H. Bergstrom, the instructor of manual training and
agriculture, organized a few gymnasium classes and gave general
supervision of the athletic teams. It was reported that a Mr. Rogers
- 91 -
from the Chehalis High School would assume that responsibility the
following year.
notbe found concerningthe athletic program
Records could p g
from 1914 to 1920. It is known that Claude French was athletic
coach at the high school from the early teens until 1921. Just
wh:n he began his service is not known. After that date it is
retorted that he went to the Kent High School where he was coach
lan. athletic director for many years until his retirement.
The reader will find a list of athletic directors and coaches
of the major sports such as football and basketball at the end of
th' s section.
The Henry Ford Elementary School, which opened in 1922, had
an excellent gymnasium for that time. The floor was large and of
ad=l'lquate size. Bleachers with three or four rows of planks were
on Done side and at the two ends. There was a stage on the other
si.e of the floor where bleachers were also installed. A balcony
ex.ended along the south side and the two ends, which offered
ad.itional space for spectators. It is recorded that the building
wa- filled to capacity on many occasions.
From that time on until the new Renton High School was occupied
in 1932, the high school basketball teams played their games in the
He dry Ford gym. In fact, the county basketball tournament was held
in that facility at various times.
When the first section of the present Renton High School
building was put in use in 1932, it provided one of the best gymna-
si s in the area. It was still larger than the one at the Henry
Foe. School and had a greater seating capacity. There were several
ro of bleachers on one side and smaller bleachers on the other
si. under the balcony which ran around three sides of the floor.
La e crowds could be accommodated. This facility was used until
19 " when the present physical education building was completed.
- 92 -
This new facility was dedicated December 4 , 1956 when the
Renton High School played the Highline basketball team. Tippy Dye,
who was basketball coach at the University of Washington at that
time, was the principal speaker at the dedication.
The program stated that the facilities offered in this building
were the best in the State, perhaps the Pacific Coast. It was
designed to give service to over 2, 100 students enrolled at that
time. More than 800 boys and girls were taking part in after school
intramural programs of different types. The directors of the
physical education staff were Miss Agnes Stewart, for the girls,
Mr. Wilbur "Shorty" Luft for the boys. These two individuals were
instrumental in planning the details of these facilities.
� n
Ar
AGNES STEWART WILBUR E. "SHORTY" LUFT
The main gymnasium floor was large enough so that a folding
door could be run down the middle, providing space for two physical
education classes to operate at the same time on the main floor.
For athletic contests, the door was pushed back into a recess and
folding bleachers were brought out from each side, leaving an
official size playing court in the middle. There was a balcony on
each side which also had folding bleachers that came forward to the
edge of the balcony. There were also folding doors at the edge of
each balcony. When the bleachers were folded up it provided another
physical education space in each of the balconies.
In another part of the building there was a girls gymnasium
- 93 -
wu th a folding door making it possible for this area to be divided
iilto space for two classes at one time. There were also two smaller
rroms that provided space for gymnastic activities of various kinds.
A!. a result, eight physical education classes could be conducted in
i!i the building at the same time. Of course, there were adequate
slower and locker rooms and plenty of space for storage and office
f.:cilities for the staff. This space will be used to good advantage
fltr many years to come.
At that time there were eight physical education teachers
h.ndling 41 classes each day.
Football has played an important part in the athletic program
tiroughout the years. In the early days the athletic field was
located back of the high school building. There was a regular
s zed football field surrounded by a quarter mile track. On the
north side there was a small covered grandstand which seated two
0— -
limit .
s
RENTON HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC FIELD
- 94 -
or three hundred spectators. The rest stood along the sidelines.
The High School football games were played in the afternoons at
this location until 1937 when the City of Renton installed lights
at Liberty Park.
Night football games for high school teams, under the lights,
was a new feature at that time. Renton belonged to the Puget Sound
Athletic League, consisting of eight schools, namely; Renton, Kent,
Highline, Auburn, Sumner, Enumclaw, Buckley and Puyallup. Rivalry
was very keen and the other teams hesitated to play at night under
lights feeling that the Renton boys would have an advantage. The
League voted, however, to authorize Renton to play its games at
8 : 00 p.m. on Friday nights. As a result, large crowds began to
attend the games. There was a very large covered grandstand at
the south end of the playing field and many bleachers along the
two sides. Later the grandstand burned to the ground. One cham-
pionship game between Renton and Highline was played on the afternoon
of Armistice Day and a crowd of seven thousand people was present.
Immediately after the war, the fans began to grumble because
most of them had to sit out in the open bleachers in the rain and
cold. As a result, agitation and interest developed in the community
for the construction of a larger and more modern football facility.
Shortly thereafter, the voters approved a building bond issue for
such an expenditure.
A careful study was made as to where would be the best location
relative to ease of access from main highways and streets that would
have space for plenty of parking. The District finally purchased
the old Tanelli Dairy Farm in north Renton. The site was located
north of the Cedar River, east of Logan Avenue and south of North
8th Street. The new facility was ready for use during the fall of
1948.
Again, the Renton School District came up with one of the
largest and finest facilities of this type in the State of Washington.
- 95 -
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_, x
RENTON HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION BUILDING
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+,..oH+MnMw'n.'."-4 kph ( ,'
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INSIDE VIEW OF RENTON HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION BUILDING
— 96 —
That same year, the Seattle School District dedicated its Memorial
Stadium.
The main feature of the Renton Stadium wasa concrete reinforced
structure with cover, capable of seating 5, 000 people. Underneath
are found ample shower rooms for both the home and visiting teams,
large rest rooms, concession stands, a health center and plenty of
storage space. Bleachers were placed on the north side of the
playing field capable of seating 2, 000 spectators. Thus, 5, 000 can
be seated under cover and out of the weather and 2, 000 in the
bleachers for a total capacity of 7 , 000.
/ �
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AAA 1
STADIUM
The School District owns sufficient land north of the playing
field so that there will be plenty of room to construct another
covered stand on that side should there be a need in future years.
At that time, there was only one high school in the Renton
School District so open dates were available. The Foster High
School played its home games in the Renton Stadium. The Tahoma
- 97 -
,igh School also occasionally played games there. Semi-pro teams
ade use of the field on Sundays. The track facilities were used
p capacity during the spring months. Since the location of the
s adium was just a few blocks north of the Renton High School, it
s easy for students to reach it. In fact, during pleasant weather,
any physical education classes walked over to make use of these
acilities.
When the stadium was completed, the District hired Frank Bonnell,
t e local nurseryman to landscape the grounds. A high chain link
f-nce was installed around the entire complex. Adjacent to the
f-nce, Mr. Bonnell planted poplar trees, which at this date have
g own to a tremendous height and add much to the general appearance.
B-autiful azaleas and rhododendron plants and other types of shrubbery
w-re planted at the east end near the street.
By the time the stadium was completed, the graduating classes
Ire so large that the commencement exercises could not be held in
tie High School auditorium. As a result, a portable stage was
iistalled each spring in front of the grandstand and commencement
exercises were held each June at this location until the new physical
elucation building was available for use in 1957. The portable
stage was used to hold the orchestra and other participants of the
piogram. The members of the graduating class sat in the middle
s-ction of the grandstand and their parents and friends on each
s' de. Patrons enjoyed these outside exercises during the first
w:ek of June when the weather was pleasant and the view of the river
a d Lake Washington appealed to the eye.
Throughout the years, these facilities were leased for various
g
o utside activities such as a big dog show one weekend every August.
Diring the years when employment at the Boeing plant was very high,
alrangements were made for employees to park in the parking lot
s4uth of the stadium.
Now that there are three high schools in the Renton School
- 98 -
District, each one uses the stadium for their home games. As a
result, the field is often used twice each weekend during various
times of the year. This heavy use is detrimental to the turf
playing field. Installation of artificial turf is being considered
to improve the service of this outstanding facility.
When the three junior high schools and the various elementary
schools were built, facilities were provided in each building for
a physical education program and intramural athletics.
A long list of capable coaches have served the schools in the
Renton School District for many years. As a result, there have
been some very outstanding athletic teams from time to time. Many
championships have been won in the Puget Sound League, also State
championships in basketball and track. The equivalent to the State
championship in football was won when the Renton High School team
defeated Roosevelt High of Seattle in the Memorial Stadium in 1958
under the coaching of John E. Suzick.
About 1930, when Perry Mitchell was the coach at Renton High
School, his basketball team won the Puget Sound championship and
went to the State Tournament and played in the final game for the
State championship. In those days the State Tournament was held
during three days and the teams that played in the finals on
Saturday night had also played a regular game Saturday morning.
This was a great drain upon the physical powers of team members
and they were completely exhausted after the final game. As a
result, the authorities of the Puget Sound League, decided that in
the future no team from the Puget Sound League would go to the State
Basketball Tournament.
About 1934 or 1935, when Ray Howard was basketball coach,
the Renton High School had another outstanding basketball team.
The players averaged 6 ' 3" in height which was quite unusual in
those days. They won many games and the championship of the Puget
Sound League. There was great pressure on the part of Renton fans
- 99 -
b have them go to the State Tournament, but school officials abided
•y the ruling of the Puget Sound League and refused to be pressured.
A few years later the League voted to again allow teams to go
the State Tournament when the four days were used, therefore
= iminating two games on the last day, with all teams going to the
' nals playing only one game each of the four days.
Iry Leifer, who began coaching basketball /
-[t Renton High School in 1947 and is still
.baching in 1975, has been exceedingly
-liccessful with his teams. He has won three
'tate Championships, winning two of them in
. nsecutive years. His teams have generally
•pne to the State Tournament each year and
r. /sere excellent representatives of the
•bmmunity. IRV LEIFER
Dwight Felton coached many outstanding track teams, one of
hich was a State Champion.
Myron Huckle, basketball coach at Hazen High School, had a
•,'uget Sound Champion team in 1972 and took it to the State Tournament.
'hey played in the final game for the State Championship, losing by
.lily one point to Richland. This was an outstanding performance
-br a new high school
Renton has also been very successful with its football teams.
miring the early 40 ' s , under the coaching of "Shorty" Luft, the
am won the football championship in the Puget Sound League for
veral years in a row. When Mr. Luft asked for a leave of absence
join the Navy in 1942 , his place was taken by William Wilson,
-nother outstanding coach, who continued winning titles. Many
Paget Sound Championships were won during the following years and
he Renton teams have always been strong contenders.
- 100 -
The high schools in the District have developed teams in
various sports for inter-school competition. For many years the
Puget Sound League did not have baseball teams. After World War II
baseball was added to football, basketball and track.
Since that time, the High Schools have expanded their inter-
school athletic programs to include teams in cross-country,
wrestling, golf, gymnastics, tennis and so forth. This, in turn,
has increased the number of boys and girls who are now able to
participate in these important activities.
In addition to inter-school sports, the District has supported
an extensive intramural program in all schools from elementary
through high school. This gives additional youngsters the opportu-
nity to participate in extra-curricular physical activities, to
learn game skills and to play on an intramural team. These two
programs have been utilized by thousands of young people over the
years. All aspects of physical education have traditionally
received strong support from Renton School District patrons.
A well rounded athletic program does a great deal in developing
positive personal qualities in young people. Many boys would not
have graduated fromhigh school if they had not participated in
sports. Those who had problems were very often "straightened out"
by a coach who was perhaps more concerned about character than
he was about winning games. Boys who attend school all day and
turn out for a sport for two or three hours after school, have very
little time and energy left to "get in trouble. " In addition, they
have an incentive to keep up their school work in order to be
eligible for team play.
Many of the outstanding players on Renton teams have been able
to continue their education in colleges and universities through
athletic scholarships. In many instances, they would not have had
the opportunity for a higher education if it had not been for their
athletic scholarship. There have also been a number of young men
- 101 -
f om Renton who have played in professional sports. In some cases,
t eir success in this field has enabled them to finance a business
c.: reer when their active participation in pro sports came to an end.
A well managed athletic program for all students under the
1-adership of capable teachers and coaches has indeed paid benefits
to the community. Much credit for the success of the Renton School
District athletic program is due to work of Wilbur E. "Shorty" Luft,
w o began his career as a coach in 1937 and was athletic director
from 1946 until his retirement.
ATHLETIC DIRECTORS
1946 - 1948 Wilbur E. "Shorty" Luft
1951 - 1973 Wilbur E. "Shorty" Luft
1973 - John E. Suzick
RENTON HIGH SCHOOL COACHES
1 S orts
- 1921 Claude French
1921 - 1925 Otto Bardarson
1925 - 1928 Frank Hargerty
1928 - 1932 Perry H. Mitchell
1932 - 1933 Jerry Robinson
1933 - 1937 Ray W. Howard
Potball
1937 - 1943 Wilbur E. "Shorty" Luft
1943 - 1946 William S. Wilson
1946 - 1948 Wilbur E. "Shorty" Luft
1948 - 1952 Leo Ward
1952 - 1953 Raymond H. Smith
1953 - 1956 Wayne R. McKee
1956 - 1968 John E. Suzick
1968 - James C. Heck
- 102 -
RENTON HIGH SCHOOL COACHES (Continued)
Basketball
1937 - 1939 Rudolph H. Seppi
1940 - 1942 Wilbur E. "Shorty" Luft
1942 - 1944 Harold Heidenrich
1944 - 1946 Dwight Felton
1946 - 1947 Wilbur E. "Shorty" Luft
1947 - Irving T. "Irv" Leifer
HAZEN HIGH SCHOOL COACHES
Football
1968 - 1975 Don D. Anderson
1975 - Dr. Isaiah "Ike" Keiffer
Basketball
1968 - Myron S. Huckle
LINDBERGH HIGH SCHOOL COACHES
Football
1972 - William Diambri
Basketball
1972 - James A. Greer
- 103 -
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SECOND BUS PURCHASED BY SCHOOL DISTRICT 1940
- 104 -
/
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation has become one of the major departments of the
Renton School District. This can be easily understood when one
realizes that the District covers forty square miles of area.
The first record we have concerning transportation is a notation
in the minutes of the School Board dated September 4 , 1925, when a
contract was made with the OK Garage and Stage Company to transport
children from the Spring Glen area on Benson Hill at a price of
$100 per month. At the same time, arrangements were made with Mr.
William J. Thompson, owner of the OK Garage and Stage Company, to
transport children from Earlington at $2 per day.
The School District continued with Mr. Thompson' s service until
1940 when there were two District owned buses which were sufficient
to meet the needs at that time.
In 1937 the School Board decided, after much deliberation,
that it was time for the District to buy a modern school bus with
enough capacity to handle part of the needs of that day. This bus
was used to transport students from the Benson Hill area and the
Talbot Road area to the Junior-Senior High Schol and the Henry Ford
Elementary School. Mr. William Thompson continued to transport
students from the Earlington area to the Henry Ford Elementary School.
In 1940 the School Board authorized the purchase of a Mack
school bus from Frank Rhodes, a local garage man, thus providing
our District with a fleet of two modern school buses. Both were
stored at the OK Garage which was owned by W. J. Thompson and
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located on the east side of Main Avenue South between South Second
a la_ South Third Streets. Mr. Thompson serviced the buses and acted
a- general supervisor of their operation.
As enrollment increased, it was necessary to purchase two
additional White buses in 1941, giving the District a total of four.
I
I When Renton School District No. 403 was organized in the early
p*t of 1942 , by the consolidation of six school districts in the
immediate area, five additional buses were added to the fleet.
These buses had been owned by the individual elementary school
districts such as Orillia, Honey Dew, Kennydale and Elliott. Thus,
thie schools had a fleet of nine buses when rapid growth began as
al�result of war activities in the immediate area.
1
1 As enrollment increased during the war years, the need for
additional transportation equipment was very great. Most of the
new students were living in the Renton Highlands and had to be
transported to the Junior-Senior High School in downtown Renton.
It'i
was impossible for the District to buy new equipment as none
wa available. Relief came through the Lakeshore Bus Company, a
to ally owned system. Due to the fact that gas rationing prohibited
ma employees throughout the area from driving cars, the government
sa to it that the Lakeshore Company was able to purchase or lease
maiy buses for their business. Since their peak loads were early
in the morning and late in the afternoon, these buses were available
fo' contracting with the School District to transport pupils.
During the early part of 1942, all the District buses were
still stored at the OK Garage. Mr. Lloyd Miller was in charge of
bu!. maintenance besides driving a regular run. During that time,
thl• government requested the School District to operate a vocational
sc,r:iool to train employees for Boeing and the Pacific Car and Foundry
Co pany. The federal government agreed to pay all costs for operating
a ocational training program. Before classes could start it was
ne essary to find space throughout the city for class purposes.
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Mr. Thompson' s OK Garage appeared to be the best place for a
machine shop. It had the necessary floor space area so the School
District leased this property for the duration of the war.
It was then necessary to find other facilities for the storing
and maintenance of the school buses. A facility with less floor
space area was leased from Frank O' Hara, who operated a garage
which was located on South Third Street between Main Avenue South
and Mill Avenue South, just west across the alley from the Renton
Fire Station. Mr. O'Hara serviced and maintained the buses for the
District.
In 1943 the Pacific Car and Foundry Company found it necessary
to locate additional space for its operation. It purchased the
School District lease with Mr. O' Hara and took over that facility
for manufacturing purposes. This made it necessary for the School
District to again move its place of operation and arrangements were
made to use the east part of Clarke Brothers Garage on Bronson Way.
By 1944 the many problems pertaining to the operation of the
bus fleet and the heavy turnover in drivers made it advisable for
the Superintendent to assign Mr. Oscar F. Anderson to be an admin-
istrator in charge of transportation. Mr. Clarence Franks served
as mechanic at that time.
In 1945 it became apparent that more space was needed to
properly store and maintain the buses. As a result, the District
leased what had been the garage which was owned by the Lakeshore
Bus Company on Bronson Way. That facility is now occupied by the
Value-Village Thrift Store. This building had been the headquarters
for the Lakeshore Bus Line. However, with the rapid growth in
its business during the war, it was necessary for the company to
construct a much larger facility which was located at the corner
of North Fourth Street and Garden Avenue North. The School District
was very fortunate in having this facility available for its use
since it had been set up for the maintenance of buses.
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Mr. William E. Weigelt became head mechanic and shop foreman.
H:: served in this capacity for a period of three years.
After the war years, in 1946 , new school buses became available
so► the District began purchasing one or two buses each year and
giiadually built up a fleet which in 1975 consisted of 42 busses and
1 ; carry-ails.
In 1947, after gas rationing was abolished, and there was
p_illenty of gasoline available for private cars, the business of the
L4keshore Bus Company fell off to a "normal operation. " As a result,
they did not need the large facility which they had constructed on
North Fourth Street. They decided to build a much smaller garage
aid office space on Park Avenue. Since their large facility had
ben especially designed for the maintenance and operation of buses,
ilt was an ideal set-up and opportunity for the School District to
o n a permanent bus garage facility. The School District then
pLrchased that property from the bus company. The building itself
f4ced on North Fourth Street but the property extended on the north
tO North Fifth Street. This gave the School District ample land
ulon which to park a large fleet of buses and other equipment. The
f*cility also included gasoline storage tanks capable of holding
sdme 6 , 000 gallons which made it possible to purchase gasoline at
a considerably lower price. There were also modern electric pumps
for pumping gasoline and an adequate shop for the maintenance of
the equipment. One third of the building was used by the transporta-
tion department and two thirds for the Vocational School.
For two years, Mr. Oscar F. Anderson had been in charge of
b 'th the transportation department and the vocational school. As
t ' ese departments grew in size it was impossible for one man to
h andle both assignments. As a result, Mr. Anderson was appointed
full-time Director of Vocational Education and the District employed
Mr. Arthur H. Towne to assume the responsibility of the transportation
d partment. Mr. Towne had been superintendent of schools in Auburn
for several years and prior to that at Burlington and Bainbridge
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Island. He resigned his Auburn position due to poor health and
after a few months time he was able to assume this transportation
assignment on a half-time basis. Throughout the years his health
improved and as the transportation department grew and developed,
he was assigned to full-time duties.
In 1948 Mr. Stanley W. Palmer became head mechanic and shop
foreman. He ably served in this capacity until his retirement in
1968.
In 1960 Mr. Towne retired and his place was taken by William
0. Belmondo, who had been raised in Renton, went through the Renton
Schools and was a teacher at the Renton High School. In 1967 he
was given the additional responsibility of maintenance and operation
of all buildings and grounds. His new responsibilities made it
necessary for him to give up the details of operating the trans-
portation department. Mr. Eugene E. Brown was employed as super-
visor of the transportation department. He served for four years
and since then the position has been held by Mr. Walter Ballard.
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WILLIAM O. BELMONDO AND TRANSPORTATION CREW, OCTOBER 1961
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Throughout the 1960' s the program of Special Services for
Hl:ndicapped Children had grown very rapidly. Many of these children
wlre not able to walk to bus stops to catch the regular buses to
go to school. In 1968 the School District began the purchase of
carry-alls to transport handicapped children. These vehicles go
d rectly to the home of the students and pick them up, take them
to their school and return them to their home at the end of the
s hool day. At this time (1975) the District has 12 of these carry-
alls, two of which have lifts which make it easy to load and unload
children in wheel chairs. Three of these carry-ails transport
some pupils into Seattle where they attend special education classes
t at are not offered in the Renton School District.
In 1968 when Mr. Palmer retired as head mechanic and shop
fpreman, the position was filled by Mr. Penhart S. Lampe who had
bfen with the School District from 1946 . He started in the trans-
portation department as an apprentice mechanic and became a journey-
min mechanic. He is doing an admirable job in working with and
supervising four other mechanics and two servicemen.
The School District presently (1975) owns and operates 42
school buses, 34 of these are used daily to make regular runs taking
students to and from school. Eight buses are used as standby. This
i'6 necessary when other buses need to be laid up for repairs and
servicing. Also, these standby buses are used to take students on
field trips and transport athletic teams.
1 As of 1975 the inventory of equipment owned and operated by
the School District is varied. As previously mentioned, there are
4 school buses with 34 being assigned to regular daily runs and 8
f r standby purposes. There are 12 carry-ails used to transport
handicapped students to and from school.
Other types of transportation equipment are necessary in the
o' eration of the District. There are seven cars owned by the Dis-
trict which are used by employees who must travel from school to
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school to carry on their responsibilities. These vehicles are also
used when school personnel need to make trips throughout the State
such as to Olympia and other cities to attend official meetings and
conventions.
There are eight driver training cars which are loaned to the
School District by various car dealers in the Renton area. These
cars need to be maintained and serviced by the School District
transportation department staff.
A fleet of 40 vans, panels, pickups and trucks are owned by
the District for the purpose of maintaining and operating the
various schools and grounds. These are used by carpenters, plumbers,
electricians, glaziers and so forth. Some of the vans are used to
transport inter-district mail and supplies to the various schools
throughout the District. In addition hot food from central kitchens
is transported to the various schools for use in their cafeterias.
The District owns three tractors which are used to haul gang
mowers and two fork lifts and one back hoe. That makes a total of
115 vehicles which must be maintained and serviced by a relatively
small staff of five mechanics and two servicemen.
From 1952 to 1971 Mrs. Jean Connell very capably served as
secretary and office manager of the transportation department. She
was a very efficient individual and accomplished much in setting up
the many details of the office. She retired in 1971.
Another important staff member is Mr. Lawrence F. "Smokey"
Dickey, who began service with the School District in 1947 as a
mechanic apprentice and bus driver. Since 1960 he has served as
dispatcher of buses and has been in charge of training new drivers.
His service is of great importance as 34 buses must be ready to roll
on time each morning properly manned by capable drivers.
At this date there are 34 regularly assigned bus drivers and
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81lsubstitute drivers available to be called on a moments notice.
Each school day morning these buses start out to make three
tips, hauling students to high school, middle school and elementary
slhool. These three trips are also made in reverse in the afternoon
a . the close of the school day. A few of the buses make a fourth
t ip both morning and afternoon. Eight buses are used at noon for
k*ndergarten students who attend half-day sessions. On many days
special trips are made for field trips and other purposes.
I There are 225 regular trips each day covering a total of 3 , 000
miles and 2, 500 stops. A total of several hundred thousand miles
ale traveled each school year by these buses.
When parents send their children from home each morning to
c tch the bus to school they want to be sure that the driver of
t at bus is capable in every way. The District has endeavored
t roughout the years to employ individuals who are patient, mature,
a d have had good driving records.
Each new driver is required by state regulations to go to a
gaining school for 20 hours under authorized state instructors.
Eight of those hours consist of practice driving a bus under direct
supervision.
In 1975, all drivers were women except for four men. This
tend began during the war years when men were scarce for that type
o work. Many of the women drivers have been with the District for
m ny years, some averaging 25 years of service. At the present
t me, the average length of service of the drivers is about 12 years.
The safety record throughout all the past years has been remark-
aIle. There have been no serious accidents of any kind. Due to
this wonderful record and the service longevity of the drivers on
the job, the insurance premiums on buses are discounted by 45%.
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This record of safety is one of the benefits from having a
capable administrator and outstanding personnel.
About forty five hundred students are transported to and from
school each day. Two hundred of these youngsters are handicapped
students. The percentage of bus students in relationship to the
total school population in the District has gradually gone down
throughout the years. At one time 47% of all students enrolled in
the Renton schools were transported. As of this date 30% are bus
students.
New school buildings constructed throughout the District have
made it possible for more students to walk to and from school. For
instance, at one time all students in grades 7 to 12 attended school
at the Renton Junior-Senior High School in downtown Renton. That
meant that a great majority of them had to be bussed from the outlying
areas. When the McKnight Middle School was constructed at the north
end of the Renton Highlands it made it possible for all students in
that area to walk to school. The same thing happened when Dimmitt
and Nelsen Middle Schools were completed.
Naturally, it takes a great deal of money to purchase all the
transportation equipment and hire people to operate it. Studies
have shown that it is less expensive for the School District to own
and operate a well managed fleet of buses than it would be to con-
tract this service to outside companies or individuals.
Sixty two percent of the actual annual cost of operating the
school buses is paid by the state government and ninety percent of
the capital investment in buses is returned to the School District
in depreciation allowance over a maximum of twenty years. As a
result, the local taxpayers have been relieved of a major portion
of school transportation costs.
It has been the policy of the School District throughout the
years to buy quality equipment. Studies have shown that with this
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t e of buses there are fewer breakdowns and less maintenance,
t lereby requiring fewer mechanics. School buses with proper power
p nts make it possible for the buses to negotiate the many hills
i the Renton School District without impeding traffic. In addition,
b',g-engined buses save time on their runs.
Good solid chassis and bodies increase the safety factor so
i
f.r as accidents are concerned. All of these items help to con-
ti1ibute to a low unit cost of operation and maintenance. This type
o f equipment also can be operated for a greater number of years
t an cheaper buses, thereby reducing the capital investment.
For many years the Pacific Car and Foundry Company manufactured
e lif
cellent school bus bodies at its Renton plant. All of the early
loses the District purchased used these bodies. In later years this
o eration was transferred to the Kenworth Motor Company in Seattle
w ich manufactured a combined chassis and body unit. For many years
t is was the only type of equipment the School District used. How-
e er, in time the Kenworth Company discontinued the manufacturing of
school buses so it was necessary for the School District to purchase
other makes.
I
The School District presently owns ten Crown buses, sixteen
Glligs, ten Carpenters and still have on hand six Kenworths.
The above information clearly demonstrates the magnitude and
i portance of the transportation department. The citizens of Renton
S hool District #403 can take pride in the accomplishments which
h ve been made.
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CHAPTER FIFTEEN
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
The School District records show that the first class in
vocational education was authorized in December of 1941, when an
evening class was set up under a federal program to teach elec-
tricians. Mr. Jay Holmes, who now operates the Holmes Electric
Company, was the instructor.
During the first part of 1942 when the Boeing Company was
getting underway to build B-29 bombers, there was a great need
for training their employees. A short time later the Pacific Car
and Foundry Company, which had a contract with the government to
construct General Sherman tanks for the army, had a great need
for welders.
The State Department of Vocational Education in Olympia re-
quested the School District to establish a War Production Training
School for the purpose of training workers in these two industries.
The government paid all the costs for this program.
Mr. A. R. MacFarlane was appointed director of Renton' s War
Production Training School. He worked very closely with industry
and the State Department of Vocational Education.
The first problem facing Mr. MacFarlane was to find space in
which to conduct the training program. None was available in any
of the school facilities.
The first step was to lease the old Plymouth Garage building
which was located on the south side of Bronson Way just east of
the old library. This location is now a part of Liberty Park.
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The federal government furnished all the tools and equipment
t 'at were needed to carry on the instructional program.
Mr. James McCormick, a welding expert, had been an instructor
al the Edison Vocational School in Seattle for several years . He
w. s employed to remodel the garage building so that it would be
s 'itable for shop instruction. Under his supervision all of the
equipment was installed and tool rooms were set up for hand tools.
H% also set up a shop for the instruction of welders and installed
tie necessary equipment.
When everything was ready, the two industries were notified
a they began to send new employees to the school for training.
Eery Monday morning the Boeing Company sent 500 people to the
s hool for one week of instruction in the five basic skills of
r4veting and other minor metal work. This group of 500 were
divided into three groups and each group received instructions for
eight hours a day. That made it necessary to operate 24 hours
around the clock. At the end of the week they were sent to Boeing
where they began working.
The Pacific Car and Foundry Company also sent men to the school
t receive instruction in welding. This was a longer course and
o ly a limited number of men could be trained at one time.
In 1943 both of the major industries in Renton had a great
n ed for machinists, so the School District was asked to begin a
p ogram for this type of training. Mr. MacFarlane was able to
1 ase space in the old OK Garage building which was located on the
e st side of Main Avenue South between South Second and South Third
S reets. The government installed $250, 000 worth of machine shop
a d heat treating equipment. Mr. Arnold Hagan was employed to be
t instructor. He, together with Mr. McCormick, arranged the
✓ rious pieces of machine equipment in the shop and set them up
f lr operation. Many machinists were trained at this location during
t e World War II years.
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Other key instructors in the program at that time were Mr.
William J. Brown, who continued for many years with the School
District as an instructor of auto-mechanics and Mr. Ralph Helgesson,
who was the instructor in sheet metal work.
Mr. James McCormick has been with the
Vocational School ever since those early
days and is a vital part of the operation ter;
k P
as a supervisor at this date in 1975 .
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Without his knowledge, skill and devotion �;• ,.#
the Renton Vocational Technical Institute
wouldn't be what it is today. v, e"
When the war was over in 1945 , the need
for training war workers ceased, but there
was a great need to train war veterans under111
the G. I . Bill of Rights so that they might
develop skills and thereby be employed. JAMES McCORMICK
As a result, the School District changed its
type of operation and conducted its vocational instruction under
the State Program for Vocational Training.
The United States Government was still interested in this type
of activity and deeded over to the School District all the equipment
it had furnished during the War Production Training days. The
District continued to lease the old OK Garage for the machine shop.
The Plymouth garage, however, was not available for further use by
the District. As a result property was leased at the southeast
corner of North Fourth Street and Factory Avenue North. A Mrs.
Peterson had installed some roofed parking stalls in this area
which she leased to employees of the Pacific Car and Foundry Company.
Under Mr. McCormick' s supervision, sides were installed and a
concrete slab poured for the floor. The welding equipment was
transferred to this building and welding instruction continued at
this location.
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After the war a great deal of war surplus equipment became
a' ailable for donation to schools. The District received from this
source all the necessary machinery and equipment needed to establish
a class in auto mechanics. Space was found in a warehouse building
which was located back of the two story frame Army Ordinance building
o North Fourth Street across from Pacific Car and Foundry Company.
Going back a few months to February 12, 1944 , the School
District in cooperation with the State Department of Vocational
Eiucation and Pacific Car and Foundry Company established a variety
o e National Defense classes to be conducted in the Company' s
f.:cilities. Here employees were instructed in blueprint reading
aid various skills in management.
In 1946 there was a great demand for training of war veterans
u der the G. I . Bill of Rights, whereby the veterans were entitled
to instruction which was funded by the government. Due to the
e cellent air field located in Renton, which by that time had been
d:=eded to the City of Renton, the District was authorized to develop
a aircraft school for the purpose of training men in the operation
a d maintenance of aircraft engines and the maintenance of the
a '�rcraft itself.
In order to get this program underway, the School District
ased land in the southeast corner of the air field facing Airport
1W 'y for a period of twenty years. Surplus government buildings from
P.ine Field in Snohomish County were secured from the government and
ml ed to the Renton Airport where they were installed on concrete
s .bs and arranged and remodeled for instructional purposes. It
w.sl necessary to build a small boiler room and install an adequate
boiler and heating system.
Again, all the necessary equipment and tools were secured from
w. surplus supplies. In addition, two twin engined surplus UC-78 ' s
w=1e obtained from the government as surplus items. These planes
I we!le located in Texas so the District sent two pilots who flew them
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I.
to the Renton Airport where they were used a great deal in the
instructional program.
Since Mr. McCormick was a pilot himself, he was of invaluable
help in setting up this school and supervising its operation.
By the year 1951 there were few veterans who desired this type
of training so it was deemed advisable to close out the aircraft
school. At the same time the Edison Vocational School in Seattle
had been operating a similar instructional program at the north
end of Boeing Field. It was determined that there was only the need
to operate one school of this type in the area . The decision was
made to turn this type of instruction over to Edison Vocational
School along with the transfer of our equipment to them.
After that date, these facilities at the Airport were leased by
the School District to the Boeing Company which conducted a part-
time instructional program for its employees under the general
supervision of the School District. There was such a demand for
these classes that the building was operated three shifts a day
around the clock. This program continued until 1966 when the
District' s lease with the City of Renton expired.
By 1947, the Renton School Board and the Administration had
decided that it was advisable for the School District to continue
with vocational training, with the thought of eventually developing
a separate building for this purpose.
Mr. Oscar F. Anderson, who at that time was Director of Bus
Transportation, was given the additional assignment of administering
the vocational program. A few years later, Mr. Anderson was relieved
of his bus transportation responsibilities and gave full-time service
to the vocational program. It was under Mr. Anderson' s adminis-
tration that the program developed to a place where it ranked third
in the State of Washington. He was instrumental in working with
the school architect along with Mr. McCormick in planning the details
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of the Renton Vocational Technical School /
now located in the Renton Highlands which - ,:
first opened its doors in September 1966 .
Mr. Anderson retired in 1969 after many ', ,
,•
years of faithful and efficient service. °r 1fw��
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In 1947, the School District purchased 4— �
from the Lakeshore Bus Company, property may ,.-
located on North Fourth Street at Garden g Y , ,)
Avenue North which had been used by the
Bus Company for its operations during
the war years . The demand for busit
service after the war was greatly reduced ` % _ /
so that these facilities were too large
for their needs . The Company built a smaller OSCAR F . ANDERSON
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VOCATIONAL SCHOOL 1947-1966
- 120 -
building on Park Avenue North, thus making the large facility available
to the School District. Two-thirds of the space was devoted to the
vocational shops and one-third for school bus maintenance. The voca-
tional program continued to operate in these facilities until moving
into the new building in 1966 .
Soon after the end of World War II the Boeing Company moved out
of the Renton plant. A few years later the Company started operations
again and soon developed the first commercial jet plane, the 707 , which
was the forerunner of present day air transportaion. During the
1950' s and 60' s employment increased considerably and the Company
built many additional buildings in Renton.
Employment was high and the Company was desirous that its
employees improve their skills and abilities so that they might
operate in an efficient manner. To bring this about the Renton
School District was asked to conduct what was known as extension
classes for the training of these employees.
The employees attended class six hours each week, generally
three hours two evenings each week. The entire junior high school
wing at Renton High School was used for this purpose beginning at
five o' clock in the afternoon. Daytime classes were held at Boeing
facilities for those who worked the swing shift. Many subjects
were covered, such as blueprint reading, mathematics, and details
pertaining to the work in the plant. Instructors were selected
from Boeing supervisors. Some daytime classes were held in church
basements and the community building in North Highlands. At the
peak of this activity there were as many as 8,200 students enrolled
at one time. As a result of these classes many of the Boeing
employees were able to increase their classification in the plant
and thereby were entitled to a higher rate of pay.
At the same time the School District was conducting apprentice-
ship classes for a period of six hours a week. These classes were
for those who were working as apprentices in various industries such
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it
af5 auto mechanics, carpenters, line men, boiler makers, machinists,
pllumbers, electricians and pipefitters. This type of class has
a ways been in demand and this instruction has been offered through-
o t the years. Instructors are men from each of the various lines
o work.
Throughout the years, vocational classes have also been offered
t high school students in such fields as home economics, distrib-
u ive education and auto mechanics. These courses help to arouse
i terest on the part of students while they develop certain skills,
gh
s
loy-
terebDyurmiankgintheit19possibltehefroerwtahsema tcoonsseicduerreabelmeplaomyomuennttoafftuenrempg aduation from hi chool.
4nt throughout the country. The United States Government was
axious to train unemployed people in certain skills so that they
might be employable and thereby taken off the welfare rolls. As a
result, the Congress appropriated money for this type of instruction
under a program known as the Manpower Development Program. Under
Olds program the government furnished money to cover the cost of
instruction without any expense to the individual student.
The School District cooperated with the BoeingCompany and the
P P Y
P cific Car and Foundry Company and trained people for skills that
were needed in those facilities. Classes were held in the Vocational
building on North Fourth Street and at the airport facilities. The
S hoot District received a grant of $180, 000 for the purchase of
e uipment for this type of instruction. Mr. Gerald A. Leen and
M . Alonzo Odem were employed to head up this activity.
Such a large educational program naturally required a lot of
p= perwork especially when one is working with state and federal
aencies. The District was fortunate in having some very capable
wumen who served as secretaries throughout this period such as,
Blanche Miller, Mary Brownlee, Blanche Brown, Margaret Cunningham,
Eana Gallagher and Lelah Knudsen.
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In the 1960 ' s the Vocational Department assumed responsibility
for another important program which was known as the Cedar Hill
Project located in Maple Valley. The purpose of that institution
is to rehabilitate alcoholics . The School District has assumed the
responsibility for job training of those individuals at Cedar Hills .
About 180 different people participate in this program during a
year' s time.
During the early 1960 ' s the School Board and Administration
began planning for a modern permanent building for use by the
Vocational Department. One of the first decisions that had to be
made was whether or not the District would apply for a community
college or for a vocational-technical institute. It was known
that other areas in King County were especially interested in the
community college approach, such as at Highline, Auburn and Bellevue.
The decision was finally made that since Renton is an industrial
center, it would be best for the Renton School District to plan the
development of a vocational-technical institute. Enrollment would
be on an area wide basis, drawing students from throughout King
County who desired this particular type of instruction. It was
thought that young people in the Renton area desiring a community
college program could easily attend at Highline, Auburn or Bellevue.
When that decision was made the District applied to the State
Board of Vocational Education for financial assistance in construction
of the facilities. The District also provided a considerable amount
of money from its building fund.
The next decision was the location for such a facility. The
School District owned 27-1/2 acres of land in the Renton Highlands.
The southern part of that site faced on Northeast Fourth Street and
was easily accessable from Interstate Highway 405. This appeared to
be an ideal site for such a school.
Plans and specifications were developed and a contract let in
1965 for the construction of three separate buildings. One structure
- 123 -
w$1s planned to house the administrative offices and the food prep-
atation facilities. Another building included shops for the instruc-
t_on of welding, machine shop and auto mechanics. The third one was
a two story classroom building where various subjects could be
te.ught, such as electronics, principles of civil engineering, various
office occupations, sewing, mid-management instruction and so forth.
These facilities were first occupied in September of 1966. The
School Board decided that the name would be The Renton Vocational
Technical Institute.
Throughout the years enrollment gradually increased until it
ws evident that additional facilities were needed. In 1974 an
addition was added to the original shop building, furnishing more
room for the auto mechanics classes. A separate building known as
Building E was built to house a shop for instruction in automobile
tee:
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RENTON
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RENTON VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE 1966
- 124 -
body work and a classroom for appliance repair. At this time
covered storage was also provided adjacent to the machine shop area.
Even with these additional facilities, it was necessary for the
District to install portable classrooms on the site to meet the
demand for needed facilities.
With the new buildings available in 1966, it became possible
for the first time to give full time instruction during the daytime
in various skills. The general procedure was for students to
attend class for six hours per day for a period of one to two years.
After completing this course of instruction, students were generally
able to find employment in their chosen field.
Beside the full time day classes, the facilities are used in
late afternoon and evening for many extension courses similar to
the ones previously described. These are for people already
employed who desire to take six hours of instruction a week to
improve their skills.
In 1971, the Renton School Board
appointed Dr. Robert C. Roberts as
permanent director. Dr. Roberts had a r
number of years of experience in this
type of work in the State of Montana .
both in the Department of Public In- El. 41$
struction for the State of Montana
and in the city of Missoula. While
serving in Missoula, he organized a
vocational school and served as its
director for four years before coming
to Renton. The Renton Vocational Tec
Technical Institute has continued to `
grow under Dr. Robert 's capable leader-
ship. DR. ROBERT C. ROBERTS
It takes a large staff to run an institution such as the Renton
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Vocational Technical Institute. In 1975 there were 58 full-time
e ployees such as administrators, supervisors, instructors and
s: cretaries. The instructors have been selected from the various
o. cupations and skills where they have served capably in previous
y�•ars. In addition to the full time instructors, there are another
5� on a part-time basis who work from four to six hours per week
giving instruction to the extension classes held in late afternoon
a d evenings. These instructors also come from the various industries
a d business concerns.
In order to receive a vocational certificate from the State
D:partment of Vocational Education which authorizes individuals to
t4ach in such an institute, one must have served four years as an
apprentice and have three years of actual experience in his or her
f ' eld. He or she must also be recognized by both management and
1!bor as a top person in their particular skill. The school looks
tIl' the various industries, business concerns and advisory committees
for recommendation as to potential instructors.
An explanation should be made concerning the advisory committees.
F:.deral and state regulations pertaining to vocational c,iiication
r::quire that an advisory committee must recommend the establishment
o f a course before it can be put into operation. Ther' is an
aovisory committee for each individual skill which is taught. The
committees consist of representation from management and from
o ,ganized labor on an even basis. In 1975 there were 24 advisory
committees functioning in connection with the Renton Vocational
Tochnical Institute.
The function of the various committees is to recommend personnel
f•,r employment, to direct the scope and sequence of the curriculum,
a d assist the instructor in placing graduates and give general
e 1aluation to the program. In addition to the many separate
a• isory committees, there is one general advisory committee which
his jurisdiction in concern to overall policies, procedures and
- 126 -
budgets. Dr. Roberts works very closely with this general advisory
committee. Boeing, Pacific Car and Foundry Company and many other
industrial and business concerns give a great deal of cooperation
in the functioning of these committees which are so vital to the
success of the Institute.
In 1975 there were 1, 527 full-time students enrolled in the
Institute. In addition to that, there were 4 , 915 part-time students
and 718 in the apprenticeship classes. Enrollment in the other
various miscellaneous classes make a total of 11, 350 individuals
enrolled. It is interesting to note that the Renton Vocational
Technical Institute ranks second in size in the State of Washington.
In addition to the many types of instruction mentioned above,
we wish to report that the Institute offers classes in adult basic
education for adults who need to improve their skill and ability in
English, writing, arithmetic and so forth. Classes are also offered
to those who desire to complete study for a high school diploma.
This can be done by filling in deficiencies in their previous
educational program or by taking various subjects and passing
examinations which represent an equivalent to a high school education.
Naturally it takes money to operate a program such as this.
None of the local tax money for Renton School District No. 403 is
used in this operation. The funding is as follows: 14% from the
federal government, 68% from the state government and 18% from fees
and tuitions which are paid by the students.
There is an ever increasing need for instruction in a growing
list of vocations. The Renton Vocational Technical Institute could
train many more individuals if space and money were available.
Since 68% of the cost comes from state money, each institute in the
state is allocated only a certain amount for each school year and
cannot exceed that allotment.
It is hoped that in the near future, additional facilities can
- 127 -
1
b constructed and the state will authorize a higher enrollment.
It is interesting to observe that at the present time, in 1975,
t is institute is conducting classes at two locations within the
c ' ty of Seattle. One at the Todd Shipyards Corporation and the
o her at the Boilermaker' s Union Headquarters.
Money spent for vocational training is indeed a most worthwhile
i
i vestment as throughout the years it gives thousands of individuals
a opportunity to learn and improve work skills so that they might
b profitably employed.
Students come from all over King County and after completing
t eir course of instruction have found jobs throughout various parts
o the world, including along the DEW Line in Alaska and Canada, in
S 'udi Arabia, and many other countries.
Below is a list of skills taught during the daytime program
w th classes running r. hours a day:
Appliance Repair
1 Automobile Repair and Refinishing
Auto Body Repair
Bank Teller
Cashier
Checker Training
Civil Engineering Technology
Custodial Training
Drafting
Electronics
Food Preparation
Food Service
Institutional Cooking
Home and Family Life
Key Punch
Legal and Medical Secretary
Machine Shop
- 128 -
Major Appliance Repair
Office Machine Repair
Office Occupations such as Typing, Shorthand, Accounting
Ornamental Horticulture
Radio and TV Repair
Welding
Short time classes for extension work and continuing education
are listed as follows:
BUSINESS EDUCATION TECHNICAL
Accounting I Welding Metalurgy
Accounting II Basic B/P Reading
Bankteller ELECTRONICS
Cashier-Checker I D/C Theory & Lab
Civil Service Exam Prep. II A/C Theory 101 & Lab
Fund. of Supervision III A/C Theory 102 & Lab
Income Tax Preparation IV Tubes/Transis. & Lab
Keypunch Training V FET/IC & Lab
Medical Term. & Trans. TV Repair
Office Machines Computer Logic/Tech.
Rapid Reading Radio Electronics
Secretarial Brush-up TRADE & INDUSTRIAL
Shorthand I Automotive Tune-up
Shorthand II Auto Air Conditioning
Typing I Machine Shop Practice
Typing II Tool Grinding
Welding-Oxy-Acet. , Arc.
Welding-Tig & Mig
Welding-Pipe
CONTINUING EDUCATION
COMMUNITY SERVICE HOME AND FAMILY LIFE
Batik Alcoholism Information
Cake Decorating I Expectant Parent Class
Cake Decorating II Sewing
Cake Decorating III
- 129 -
COMMUNITY SERVICE ADULT EDUCATION
candle Making American Government
ceramics & Pottery Applied Math
charcoal Drawing Contemporary Problems
giver Training English
lower Arranging U. S. History I
eolf U. S. History II
Guitar/Banjo, Beg. & Int. Rapid Reading
ome Furniture Making HEALTH OCCUPATIONS
ome Landscaping Dietetic Assistant I/II
achine Embroidery
echanics (Beg) for Women
echanics (Beg) for Men
otorcycle Repair
riil Painting, Beg & Int
lutboard Motor Repair
hotography
etail Floristry
mall Engine Repair
ole Painting
ater Color Painting
This review of the development of the Vocational Program in
he Renton School District during a period of 34 years, beginning
ith 1941 with a single class in electricity, indicates the great
ervice being rendered to the community and the King County area
or those who wish to develop skills and improve their ability and
nowledge in various lines of employment. This type of education,
hich is of vital importance, will continue to grow and develop in
he coming years.
- 130 -
/
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
SCHOOL SITES AND BUILDINGS
References have been made in other parts of this report as to
the construction of school buildings during the early years. This
section will endeavor to summarize the purchase of sites and con-
struction of school buildings from the beginning of Renton School
District No. 7 and continuing with Renton School District No. 403 .
As mentioned elsewhere, the first public school building was
erected in 1853 in Earlington near the north bank of the Black
River.
The next reference to any other school is the notation that
a new school building was constructed in 1871 on Main Street near
the foot of Renton Hill, and then later moved to the location where
the ]Henry Ford School was constructed many years later.
The old Central School was constructed in 1892 and was in
operation until it was replaced in 1922 by the Henry Ford School.
The old frame Sartori building was built in 1907 and torn
down in 1939 when the new Sartori School was constructed.
The one room Spring Glen School was built in 1910 and abandoned
about 1925.
In 1911 the first Renton High School building was constructed
on South Second Street. That structure was condemned and had to
be razed in 1941 .
- 131
✓ cantThesince old Earlington 1970. building was built in 1914 and has stood
The Henry Ford Elementary School replaced the old Central
S hool in 1922 and served the southern part of the City of Renton
u til 1970. By that date the commercialization of Renton eliminated
many homes so there were not sufficient numbers of children within
walking distance to fill the school, making it necessary to transport
students in from outlying areas. When the Talbot Hill School was
constructed in 1970 the children living near the Henry Ford School
were transported to that school. Many District departments are
presently located in the old Henry Ford building at this date such
aS the professional library, the instructional aids department, and
many others.
In 1929 the School District purchased five acres from the
Slithers estate just west of the old high school building and on
that site the new Renton High School structure was completed in
1932. It was a very beautiful building designed by the architect
William Mallis and possesses a style which is very pleasing and
appropriate at this present date. That structure is still being
used for high school purposes.
In September 1942 the new junior high school wing attached
to the high school building, was used for the first time. It was
16cated on the site of the old Renton High School structure.
During the year 1942 just after the beginning of World War II ,
eirollment began to increase and more classroom space was needed.
T!e old Earlington building which had been vacant since depression
years was renovated with money furnished by state and federal funds
and reoccupied, thus relieving the pressure on the Henry Ford School.
Due to the construction of 2, 000 living units by the Federal
Housing Administration in the Renton Highlands it was necessary to
build an elementary school in that location. The District purchased
- 132 -
six and a half acres of land from the government at the cost of
$286 per acre. A twenty-room frame building was constructed at a
cost of $154, 400 with 20% of the money coming from the State and
the balance from the federal government. The Highlands School was
first occupied in September 1943.
During the war years it was evident that the Junior-Senior
High School building would need additions in the coming years to
take care of the ever increasing number of students. About 1940
the School District purchased six acres of land to the west of the
high school from the Smithers estate at the cost of $600 per acre.
In later years the District also negotiated with owners of property
along the south side of South Tobin Street and gradually purchased
all that land for future expansion.
As the war years rolled along, additional classroom space was
needed at the Renton Junior-Senior High School. Late in 1944 the
District purchased six army barracks which had been constructed on
North 6th Street and also two former contractor' s buildings. These
temporary structures were relocated north of the junior high school
wing. In 1949, additional portables were built near this same
location.
In 1945 the District purchased the two-story Ordinance Building
from the Army Engineers located on North Fourth Street across the
street from the Pacific Car and Foundry Company. This structure
had been built by the government at the beginning of the war and
used by the Ordinance Department for inspecting the construction of
General Sherman Army tanks by the Car Shops. The District purchased
the four lots on which the building stood from the Pacific Car and
Foundry Company. For two years this building was used to house
vocational classes and in 1947 became the Administration Building
for the School District.
In 1948 the Skyway Elementary School was constructed and an
addition consisting of a multi-purpose room was built in 1966 .
- 133 -
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PORTABLES BACK OF RENTON HIGH SCHOOL 1950
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SKYWAY SCHOOL
- 134 -
In 1952 an addition was added to the west wing of the Renton
High School. This structure included the special departments such
as music, science, home economics and distributive education.
The Spring Glen Elementry School was built in 1952 . Eight
quonset huts were purchased from Hanford, Washington in 1955 and
installed for portable classrooms at the Spring Glen site. A per-
manent addition consisting of classrooms was built in 1956.
During the 1950` s the King County Planning Commission made a
comprehensive survey of the Renton School District and pointed out
trends as to increased population and possible school enrollments
for the years to come.. Based upon the information furnished in this
report, the School District began the purchase of sites for future
schools. It was thought best to make these purchases at that date
while much of the land was undeveloped and could be purchased at
a very reasonable price per acre. The Superintendent located and
arranged for purchase of these properties with School Board approval.
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SPRING GLEN SCHOOL
- 135 -
Sites purchased during the 1950' s and 60' s included those for
Sp ' ing Glen, Lakeridge, McKnight, Campbell Hill, Dimmitt, Honey Dew,
Ca4cade, Nelsen, Hazelwood, Renton Park, Benson Hill, Maplewood
Heights, Sierra Heights, Tiffany Park, Talbot and Lindbergh. Of
al the sites purchased at that time only one remains unoccupied in
105, namely the Renton Hill site of ten and one half acres. Many
thousands of dollars were saved the taxpayers of the Renton District
d e to the foresight of the School Directors in purchasing at that
t' e.
The purchase of the site now occupied by the Renton Vocational
Technical School was rather complicated and different from most
tiansactions. That area had been a part of the Renton Housing
Project and was owned by the federal government which was in the
process of disposing of its property in 1958. The government offered
that property to the School District for the sum of $20, 000 providing
the voters would approve a bond issue in that amount which would be
paid off in five years. This was a very reasonable price to the
School District. Due to the fact that some people thought that
area should be developed for local residences there was opposition
t6 this proposal and the bond issue failed to receive the 60%
4es" vote required. The government then said the School District
could purchase the site at its fair market value of $68, 000 in a
cash deal. Since the property was definitely needed by the School
District, the Board of Directors purchased it under this plan from
fends in its Building Fund. Thus, the opposition of a few people
cost the School District an extra $48, 000. The decision has proved
t¢ be wise and the future looks very bright for vocational education
programs.
In 1953 the School District received a donation of land from
tie United States Government at the north end of the Highlands
housing project and the Hillcrest Elementary School was built on
that property.
Lakeridge Elementary School was built in 1954 and added to in
- 136-
1960. McKnight Junior High School was constructed in 1954 with
an addition in 1957 . Campbell Hill Elementary School was built in
19`>6 with an addition in 1970.
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HILLCREST SCHOOL
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LAKERIDGE SCHOOL
- 137 -
A physical education facility and cafeteria was constructed
just north of the Renton High School in 1956 . Sartori School was
also enlarged in 1956.
During 1958, the Dimmitt Junior High School was built and
there was an addition to this facility in 1960 . 1958 also was the
year when eight classrooms were added to the Kennydale Elementry
School .
In 1959, the Honey Dew School was built. In 1960 a new Bryn
r4awr School was completed, and added to in 1971. 1960 was the year
when the Cascade Elementary School was constructed.
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MC KNIGHT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
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CAMPBELL HILL SCHOOL 1956
- 138 -
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DIMMITT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
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HONEY DEW SCHOOL 1959
BRYN I1AWR SCHOOL 1960
- 139 -
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CASCADE SCHOOL
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HAZELWOOD SCHOOL
During the early 1960 ' s enrollment was increasing faster than
new buildings could be constructed and there was double shifting
in some buildings. Over a period of a number of years 50 portable
classrooms were constructed and placed where needed. These portables
eliminated the double shifting and were of great value during the
following years. They were easy to move from place to place.
1963 was the year Hazelwood Elementary School was constructed.
- 140 -
In 1964 another addition was added to the Renton High School pro-
viding science rooms. During the same year an Industrial Arts
Building was constructed facing Tobin Street.
Renton Park Elementary School was constructed in 1965.
The Vocational Technical School was built in 1966 and additional
facilities added in 1974.
In 1967 Benson Hill Elementry School and Maplewood Heights
Elementary School were constructed.
Hazen High School was constructed in 1967-68 .
¢k
RENTON PARK SCHOOL
>71
BENSON HILL SCHOOL
- 141 -
II
In 1969 two new schools, Sierra Heights and Tiffany Park Elem-
e tary Schools were built.
In 1970 Talbot Hill Elementary, a new Highlands Elementary and
a new Kennydale Elementary School were added to the growing list of
n:w schools. The old Highlands and old Kennydale schools were razed.
1 The new Administration Building just south of the Henry Ford
Elementary School was built in 1970 . The School Board honored Mr.
Elmer Pistorisi who had served as a school director for sixteen
years, by naming the School Board Room the Elmer Pistorisi Room.
In 1971 the Lindbergh High School was constructed and in 1972
the new Earlington Elementary School was completed.
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MAPLEWOOD HEIGHTS SCHOOL
- 142 -
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TIFFANY PARK SCHOOL
— 143 —
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TALBOT HILL SCHOOL
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NEW HIGHLANDS SCHOOL
NEW KENNYDALE SCHOOL
- 144 -
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LINDBERGH HIGH SCHOOL
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ADMINISTRATION BUILDING 1970
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NELSEN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
- 145 -
The aforementioned is a long list of school construction.
Sonte might wonder if it was necessary. This question is easily
an veered by remembering that in 1942 when Renton School District
No. 403 was organized there were only 2 , 000 students while in 1970
th re were 15, 436. This increase of 700% was the result of the
hi h birth rate following the war years up into the 50 ' s and the
migration of many people into this area to take advantage of the
expansion in industrial and commercial activities.
The District has many excellent facilities within its boundaries
of 'ering young people many advantages in education.
- 146 -
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
PERSONNEL
Buildings and equipment would be of little value without
people. For many years the Renton Schools have been extremely
fortunate as to the type of individuals who have served the com-
munity as School District employees. As previously mentioned,
many have had their entire educational career in Renton.
Throughout this history, mention has been made of many
different individuals who have contributed much to the educational
program. A few other key people should be recognized in this
space.
Randall Rockhill came to Renton High School in 1939 as an
instructor in band and orchestra. His skill and enthusiasm
attracted many students to his department. As the schools grew,
he became the Director of Music for the entire School District
and developed some of the best musical programs in the state.
He left Renton in 1973 to accept a position in Seattle. He was
ably assisted for many years by James A. Young and Margaret Rose
Anderson, who are still with the District.
Dury A. Fox came to Renton in 1942 as an instructor of Indus-
trial Arts. Soon he was made head of the department and even-
tually Director of Industrial and Fine Arts for all secondary
schools in the District. He and his staff planned an outstanding
industrial arts building which faces North Tobin Street and is a
part of the Renton High School complex. At one time, one thousand
students in the Renton High School attended classes in this
department each year.
/
- 147 -
/
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/ MARGARET
JAMES A. YOUNG RANDALL ROCKHILL ROSE ANDERSON
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DURY A. FOX ROBERT HODGES BETH SLINGERLAND
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JAMES E. GRENFELL ALVIN G. WARWICK
— 148 —
Robert Hodges was in charge of Guidance and Research for many
years. He also started the data processing program in the District
and was responsible for applying for and carrying on many federal
projects. At this writing, he is serving as Director of Pupil
Personnel .
Beth Slingerland was responsible for the development of the
Specific Language Disability program. She developed a method for
teaching certain children to read who had special problems. During
summer vacations she trained teachers in this method. She devised
a simple test which indicated which pupils need this special in-
struction when they entered the first grade. She is the author
of many books and articles. Since her retirement in 1964, Mrs.
Slingerland has served as a consultant throughout the United States,
helping to train teachers and developing similar programs in many
cities.
Barbara H. Herman has been in charge of the Specific Language
Disability Program since 1964 .
James E. Grenfell served as Director of Elementary Physical
Education for several years. At the present time he is the nego-
tiator for the School Board.
Alvin G. Warwick joined the staff in 1944 as an Attendance
Officer and Home Visitor. At one time, he was Vice-Principal of
the Renton Senior High School. He retired in 1973.
Many other staff members have served long in various positions
as teachers, supervisors, heads of departments and so forth. Time
and space does not permit us to list all of them. Their contributions
have been of great value.
On the following pages the reader will find a complete list of
all who have served as Superintendents of Schools and Principals.
- 149 -
SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS
Years Served
1907 - 1908 George H. Conklin 1
1908 - 1909 Charles H. Yeager 1
1909 - 1915 V. W. Talbott 6
1915 - 1918 W. B. Satterwaite 3
1918 - 1922 George Salisbury 4
1922 - 1928 Howard R. Goold 6
1928 -- 1936 Ernest W. Campbell 8
1936 - 1966 Oliver M. Hazen 30
1966 - 1970 Dr. Earl Hobbs 4
1970 - 1974 Dr. Shelby 0. Bewley 4
1974 - Dr. Gary F. Kohlwes
HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS
• :NTON HIGH SCHOOL
1910 - 1915 George W. Beanblossom 5
1915 - 1918 Harry F. Heath 3
1918 - 1922 C. R. Halbrook 4
1922 - 1925 Herman C. Anderson 3
1925 - 1928 Ernest W. Campbell 3
1928 - 1931 William Gellerman 3
1931 - 1932 Dean Newhouse 1
1932 - 1936 A. W. Dimmitt 4
1936 - 1944 Perry H. Mitchell 8
1944 - 1959 Stanley S. Thompson 15
1 1959 - 1969 Karl J. Weber 10
1969 - Carl Malnati
HAZEN HIGH SCHOOL
1968 - 1972 William L. O' Brien 4
1972 - Norman L. Hash
LI IDBERGH HIGH SCHOOL
1972 - Brian Barker
- 150 -
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS
(In 1969 the names were changed to Middle School)
Years Served
RENTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
1932 - 1936 Perry H. Mitchell 4
1936 - 1942 Stanley I. Thompson 6
1942 - 1944 J. L. Davidson 2
1944 - 1959 Karl J. Weber 15
In 1959 , with the opening of Dimmitt Junior High School, Renton
High School took over the Junior High School wing and Renton Junior
High School ceased to exist.
A. W. DIMMITT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
1959 - 1968 William L. O' Brien 9
1968 - Gorden A. Thompson
JOHN H. MC KNIGHT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
1954 - 1968 Myron H. Finch 14
1968 - 1969 Charles E. Talmage 1
1969 - Robert E. Egge
FRED NELSEN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
1963 - 1970 Daniel Rich 7
1970 - 1972 Ronald Crawford 2
1972 - 1973 Richard Case 1
1973 - Daniel Rich
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS
BENSON HILL
1967 - 1972 Malcolm A. Ericson 5
1972 - 1974 Genevieve Paulsen 2
1974 - William M. Gladsjo
BRYN MAWR
1934 - 1942 H. Raymond Johnson 8
Spring 1942 Lewis A. Argano 1/2
1942 - 1952 Raymond E. Bright 10
- 151 -
OYN MAWR (continued) Years Served
1952 - 1954 Ralph Kolstad 2
1954 - 1956 Lawrence A. Lindberg 1
1956 - 1963 Robert E. Box 7
1963 - 1969 Raphael T. Jasper 6
1969 - 1971 G. Deane Brotherton 2
1971 - 1972 Closed for Remodeling
1972 - G. Deane Brotherton 4
C1AMPBELL HILL
1942 - 1949 Helen Haynes 7
1949 - 1956 Willa Lee 7
1956 - 1968 Carl W. Howard 12
1968 - 1974 Margaret Anderson Locke 6
1974 - Robert Hendrickson
CASCADE
1961 - 1964 Alvin Thornton 3
1964 - 1971 Edgar Johnston 7
1971 - Arthur Long
CENTRAL SCHOOL
1899 - 1908 George H. Conklin 9
1908 ,- 1909 Charles H. Yeager 1
1909 - 1911 V. W. Talbot 2
1911 - 1913 L. M. Dimmitt 2
1913 - 1916 W. B. Bay 3
1916 - 1922 W. W. Young 6
DARLINGTON (old four room building constructed 1914)
1909 - 1911 Kathryn Bassen 2
1911 - 1917 Lula Bacon 6
1917 - 1921 Givendolyn Kellett 4
1921 - 1923 Elizabeth L. Knapp 2
1923 - 1925 Celia B. Shultz 2
1925 - 1926 Winifred Daniels 1
1926 - 1929 John A. Thomson 3
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EARLINGTON (continued) Years Served
1929 - 1932 Stanley I. Thompson 3
1932 - 1933 Hamilton Church 1
1933 - 1942 School was Closed
1942 - 1960 Elizabeth O' Conner 18
1960 - 1964 D. Richard Albertson 4
1964 - 1970 Arthur F. Long 6
1970 Old Four room school was closed
NEW EARLINGTON SCHOOL
1972 - 1973 Kenneth H. Holmes 1
1973 - 1974 Carl W. Howard 1
1974 - Dora M. Castora
HAZELWOOD
1963 - 1972 Robert E. Box 9
1972 - Robert Monson
HENRY FORD
1922 - 1924 W. W. Young 2
1924 - 1932 A. W. Dimmitt 8
1932 - 1936 John A. Thomson 4
1936 - 1942 A. W. Dimmitt 6
1942 - 1946 Lewis A. Argano 4
1946 - 1952 Hamilton Church 6
1952 - 1953 Raphael T. Jasper 1
1953 - 1957 Gene L. Craig 4
1957 - 1964 Edgar Johnston 7
1964 - 1970 Rolf S. Dragseth 6
1970 The building was closed for classroom
purposes and became a part of the new Administrative Service
Center.
HIGHLANDS
1943 - 1953 William C. Tucker 10
1953 - 1962 Raphael T. Jasper 9
1962 - 1972 Genevieve Paulsen 10
1972 - John C. Hightower
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HTLLCREST Years Served
1953 - 1964 William C. Tucker 11
1964 - 1.965 D. Richard Albertson 1
1965 - 1972 John C. Hightower 7
1972 - William K. Loken
HONEY DEW
1940 - 1942 O. F. Anderson 2
1942 - 1953 Jessie Anderson 11
1953 - 1956 Roy F. Cope 3
1956 - 1960 Edith Porter 4
1960 - 1967 Roy F. Cope 7
1967 - 1972 William K. Loken 5
1972 - Robert E. Box
KENNYDALE
1942 - 1943 William C. Tucker 1
1943 - 1944 Karl J. Weber 1
1944 - 1948 Lester C. Skamfer 4
1948 - 1957 Lyndle R. Cooper 9
1957 - 1965 Robert M. Monson 8
1965 - 1973 Joseph H. Brabant 8
1973 - Rolf Dragseth
LAKERIDGE
1953 - 1957 Ralph Kolstad 4
1957 - 1967 Gene L. Craig 10
11967 - George H. McPherson 8
MAPLEWOOD HEIGHTS
1967 - 1971 Roy F. Cope 4
1971 - Edgar Johnston
ORILLIA
1942 - 1943 Gerald GT Long 1
1943 - 1944 Lester C. Skamfer 1
1944 - 1946 Roy Stratton 2
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ORILLIA (continued Years Served
1946 - 1950 Gerald L. Coombs 4
1950 - 1952 Raphael T. Jasper 2
1952 - 1954 Lawrence A. Lindberg 2
1954 - 1957 Edgar Johnston 3
1957 - 1961 Alvin G. Thornton 4
1961 - 1964 Arthur Long 3
1964 - 1965 Joseph Brabant 1
1965 - 1967 William Loken 2
1967 - 1968 Malcolm Ericson 1
Orillia School was closed in 1968 and was used as a District ware-
house for a number of years and then the building and property were
sold.
RENTON PARK
1965 - 1972 Robert Monson 7
1972 - Malcolm A. Ericson
SARTORI
1907 - 1909 Roger E. Williams 2
1909 - 1910 Ford Threlkeld 1
1910 - 1911 L. M. Dimmitt 1
1911 - 1918 A. W. Dimmitt 7
1918 - 1920 Susan B. Scofield 2
1920 - 1923 Gladys Steele 3
1923 - 1924 A. W. Dimmitt 1
1924 - 1929 Ray N. Davis 5
1929 - 1932 John A. Thomson 3
1932 - 1936 Stanley I. Thompson 4
1936 - 1942 John A. Thomson 8
1942 - 1946 Hamilton Church 4
1946 - 1949 Carl W. Howard 3
1949 - 1967 Malcolm Ericson 18
1967 - 1969 Robert D. Larsen 2
1969 - 1971 Robert C. McFarland 3
1971 Sartori School was closed for school purposes
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and used as a warehouse. Later it was developed into a Special
Education Center for the District.
SIERRA HEIGHTS
1969 - Russell L. Ralph
SKYWAY Years Served
1949 - 1956 Carl W. Howard 7
1956 - 1960 Roy F. Cope 4
1964 - 1970 Arthur F. Long 6
1970 - 1971 John Sullivan 1
1971 - 1972 G. Deane Brotherton 1
At the close of the school year 1971-72 , the Skyway School ceased
operation as an elementary school. It was renamed in honor of
John A. and Marian D. Thomson and called the Thomson School. Since
that date the building has been used for the education of handicapped
children.
SPRING GLEN
1952 - 1954 Lawrence A. Lindberg 2
1954 - 1969 Russell L. Ralph 15
1969 - 1973 Carl W. Howard 4
This building ceased to operate as a school in 1973 . It was then
used as a Special Education Center and is currently the headquarters
for Supply and Purchasing for the District.
TALBOT HILL
1970 - 1973 Rolf S. Dragseth 3
1973 - 1974 Robert C. McFarland 1
1974 - Fred C. Anderson
TIFFANY PARK
1969 - 1970 Raphael T. Jasper 1
1970 - 1973 William M. Gladsjo 3
1973 - Joseph H. Brabant
THOMSON SCHOOL
1972 - Miles E. Goodwin
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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOL
Mr. George H. Conklin, the first Superintendent of Schools,
began his service in Renton as principal and teacher of the old
Central Grade School during the years from 1899 to 1908 .
His home was located at the southwest corner of Main Avenue
South and South Fourth Street in the same block as the school.
During the late 1930' s the School District purchased that property
from Mr. Conklin who had lived there many years. It was needed
for playground purposes as two classrooms were added at the north
of the Henry Ford School. When that building ceased to operate as
a school in 1970 the former Conklin property was sold to the
Service Laundry and Dry Cleaners which how has buildings on it. ,
No high school classes were taught in Renton until 1902 .
Mr. Conklin could see the need, so he went to summer school to
receive a high school teacher' s certificate. He then taught 9th
and 10th grade subjects besides his regular assignment of the 7th
and 8th grade. A class of nine graduated from the 10th grade in
1904.
When the Sartori School opened in 1907 , Mr. Conklin was given
the title of Superintendent since he was responsible to the School
Board for general supervision of that school in addition to his
other responsibilities at Central School.
Mr. Conklin was a fine gentleman, loved by students, teachers
and patrons. During his nine years of dedicated service he operated
a good educational program. It is only fitting that he should head
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the list of superintendents who have served the Renton Schools
throughout the years up to 1975.
At this point mention must also be made of Mr. V. W. Talbot
ho served as superintendent from 1909 to 1915. It was during his
erm of office that the first full four year high school was estab-
ished with the assistance of Mr. George W. Beanblossom who served
s the first high school principal. During Mr. Talbot' s time of
6ervice grade schools were established at Earlington and Spring Glen.
During the early 1920' s financial problems plagued the District
as the result of the depression which followed World War I. The
budget was running in the red. Still the community wanted good
schools as was evident by the approval of a bond issue to build
the Henry Ford Grade School.
In 1922 the School Board employed Mr. Howard R. Goold as
superintendent of schools. Mr. Goold was an outstanding educator
and leader. The citizens approved special taxes each year and
on the District was on a firm financial footing. This made it
ossible for Mr. Goold to develop a sound educational program
hich has continued throughout the years. He left the District in
1928 to become superintendent of schools at Eugene, Oregon. A few
ears later he returned to the State of Washington as superintendent
f the Tacoma Public Schools where he remained until his retirement.
Mr. Ernest W. Campbell who had served as principal of the
Renton High School since 1925 was then appointed superintendent.
He followed the same general program that Mr. Goold had established
and gradually extended it during his term of office. It was under
his leadership that the new Renton High School was constructed
and staffed in 1932 . That modern school, which is still in use,
was considered to be the finest high school facility in the State
of Washington.
His service and ability were recognized state wide and as a
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GEORGE H. CONKLIN 1907-1908 HOWARD R. GOOLD 1922-1928
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ERNEST W. CAMPBELL 1928-1936 JOHN H. MC KNIGHT
Director 1923-1941
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OLIVER M. HAZEN 1936-1966 DR. EARL HOBBS 1966-1970
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DR. SHELBY BEWLEY 1970-1974 DR. GARY F. KOHLWES 1974—
— 160 —
result he was elected president of the Washington Education Asso-
ciation about 1934. Mr. Campbell resigned in 1936 to accept a
position on the administrative staff of the Seattle School District.
In later years ha was a deputy superintendent in charge of secondary
schools and the Edison Vocational School. In 1956 he was selected
as superintendent of the Seattle School District and served in that
capacity until his retirement in 1964 .
Mr. Oliver M. Hazen, who had been superintendent at Burlington
for six years was selected by the School Board to succeed Mr. Campbell.
Mr. Hazen served in that capacity for thirty years until his retire-
ment in 1966.
The School Board searched nation wide for a successor to Mr.
Hazen. They chose Dr. Earl Hobbs from New York State who served
for four years.
In 1970 Dr. Shelby O. Bewley from Montana was appointed
superintendent. He remained in the position until 1974 when, then
assistant superintendent, Gary F. Kohlwes was selected to take over
the responsibilities of the superintendency.
It is interesting to note that from 1922 to 1966 , a period of
forty four years there were only three superintendents serving the
Renton School District. This situation made it possible for the
schools to make steady growth and development without frequent
changes in educational philosophy and programs. Long time planning
was possible thereby providing continuity from year to year.
All three men were leaders in community affairs, being active
in various business, religious, fraternal and civic organizations.
This led to excellent rapport between the schools and the community.
These gentlemen lived in the area long enough to be considered a
definite part of the community.
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Dr. Gary F. Kohlwes, who became superintendent in 1974 is a
Man of similar qualities and is giving the same kind of educational
readership at this date.
In concluding this summary superintendents,erintendents, we must mention
P
the name of one school board member who played a very important
part in the development of the Renton Schools during the service
of Mr. Goold, Mr. Campbell and the first five years of Mr. Hazen' s
term. That gentleman was Mr. John H. McKnight, who was a school
director from 1922 to 1941, a total of nineteen years.
He was called Henry by his many friends. He was an influential
leader, greatly interested in the welfare of young people. He
believed in quality education.
The first junior high school building away from the downtown
high school campus, which was constructed in 1954 in the Renton
Highlands was named the John H. McKnight Junior High School in
recognition of his outstanding service to the schools of Renton.
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