By KAREN MADORIN
In 1960, Dwight Eisenhower wrapped up his final term as U.S. President. That year marked the first televised presidential candidate debate between Richard Nixon and John Kennedy. The NFL added expansion teams in Dallas and Minneapolis/St. Paul. A Soviet missile shot down Gary Powers’ spy plane. Eisenhower signed the 1960 Civil Rights Act. On July 4th, the 1st 50-star U.S. flag debuted in Philadelphia. To Kill a Mockingbird was first published that fall. Castro’s Cuban government nationalized American and foreign property in Cuba. Such news kept Americans riveted to new black and white televisions as they kept up with a rapidly changing world. Surely, old-timers in Ellis experienced similar information overload as they watched their school system swiftly change.
During 1959, District 2 became Joint District Number 2 as a result of surrounding districts annexing to them. To handle increased class sizes, in 1960, the community passed a $524,000 bond election to fund an addition to the grade school. This bond would retire over a period of 15 years and require an additional 6.2 mill levy. Not only did class size increase, salaries did too. Teachers with degrees expected a base salary of $4,200 a year with a $700 head of household allowance.
In relatively short time, area residents celebrated the completion of the new addition to the grade school. During this time, teacher salaries continued to improve. The school board found itself juggling academic and extra-curricular needs along with solving transportation and cafeteria problems--additional responsibilities that increased the complexity of district management.
By 1966 the base teacher salary totaled over $5,000. Administrators not only dealt with growing expenses but also faced decisions regarding Beatle haircuts and bell-bottom trousers. As hair styles changed, the district received a new state mandated identity. Under unification, Joint District Number 2 became USD 388. Due to increasing responsibilities, the board voted to relieve the superintendent and principals of teaching duties so they could work as full-time administrators. In addition, these leaders saw the value of ongoing evaluations and teacher/principal conferences so the board voted to include them with administrative duties. With additional foresight, these elected public servants prepared for the future by establishing a special capital outlay fund of 4 mills “for a period of 5 years to provide a fund not to exceed $180,000 for construction, remodeling, etc.” That year’s general fund account totaled $353,498.50.
As Ellis Joint District Number 2 identity ended and the state mandated further change, the newly named USD 388 maintained its major strength—a legacy of strong academic standards that Ellis education system pioneers established. From the beginning, community and district committed to provide students with practical training to compete in the world. Unification and progress have not altered this mission. Ellis schools continue to produce students who are assets to a changing society.
This installment finalizes my research on Ellis schools. Barb Begler researched additional post-unification years. I hope that another scholar will pick up where Barb and I left off and continue the story of Ellis schools’ impact on local lives.
Madorin: History of Ellis Schools — Part 15
Madorin: History of Ellis Schools 1940 — Part 14
Madorin: History of Ellis Schools Part 13: 1935-1939
Madorin: History of Ellis Schools Part 12: 1927-1933
Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part 11
Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part 10
Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part 9
Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part 8
Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part 7
Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part 6
Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part 5
Madorin: History of Ellis Schools, part 3