One of the Nation's Richest School

An excerpt from the Houston Post

Dated Monday, February 14, 1949

And reprinted in the Edna Herald

Dated Thursday, February 17, 1949

VANDERBILT SCHOOL DISTRICT IS ONE OF THE RICHEST IN THE ENTIRE NATION*

Vanderbilt:  February 12th, 1949:  One of the nation’s wealthiest public schools is located on the coastal plains of Texas in South Jackson’s County.

Known as the “Industrial Consolidated Independent School District”, the district covers a vast area of 400 square miles to include most of the Southern half of Jackson County and a portion of the Southeast section of Victoria County.  The district this year has an assessed valuation of $40,000,000.00.  

The current student body consists of 900 youngsters, twelve buses, and one station wagon that carry many of these students to the separate localities at Vanderbilt, Lolita, LaWard, Inez, and Francitas.

Consolidation of this area was begun in May 1948 to provide better education facilities.  Richard R. Hardin, Superintendent of the Vanderbilt School and now Superintendent of the Consolidated District is credited with leading the movement to a successful conclusion.

Through the operation of our various school boards and patrons, the consolidation was realized, but legal routine prevented the final settlement of the boundary lines until December 4, 1948.

The name “Industrial Consolidated” indicates the main source of economic stability.  Oil Production is the answer.  Several major oil companies have leases in this section with Magnolia and Humble having camps near Vanderbilt and LaWard are the largest producers.  

Rice is produced in abundance here with modern machinery seen in action during the harvest season.

The Koop Brothers, Francis, John, and Harold, designed and built a rice dryer which the are operating themselves.  They farm several hundred acres of rice and have constructed improvements in their own shop for machinery purchased from national companies.  Other sources of revenue are cattle, cotton, flax, and sorghum grains.

Fishing, boating, and hunting are popular sports of this vicinity.  Ducks, geese, and quail are plentiful.

The School System, under the direction of fifty teachers and seven principals is a modern plant with adequate vocational training facilities.  Graduates of the school have had no difficulty entering Texas Colleges and Universities.

One of the most attractive drawing cards for good teachers here is the provision of living quarters.  Furnished homes and apartments are provided the teachers including their utilities.  

The school employs two nurses, who make individual records oa every child.  Blood tests are taken of all cafeteria employees.  

Three bands are trained int he school system.  Complete instrumentation is furnished, band members and representatives are sent each year to the Vandercock School of Music locate at Seguin, Texas.  

Vocational classes, both boys and girls attend the Houston Fat Stock Show and other agricultural exhibits of an educational nature.  

Vocational subjects are stressed.  Work shops are equipped with modern power tools, drills, presses, circle saws, band saws, lathes, electric sanders, and numerous other tools.  The FFA boys have a portable trailer scale to weigh livestock at various intervals periodically.  

Football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, tennis, and track are entered into the spirit by students and they are followed with strong interest by the local spectators.

This year, the senior class plans to visit Carlsbad Caverns, Davis Mountains, the McDonald Observatory, and other points of interest in Texas and New Mexico.

“TRIPS” stated Superintendent Hardin give students an opportunity to acquire experience in group association and to learn about places through actual experience.  Our basic philosophy here he said is the growth of the child.

George Faulks is the President of the Consolidated District School Board of Education.  Other members are R. W. Denn, Scott Gray, Frank Cobbs, W. F. James, L. M. McFeron, and Ad Michalek.  Mr. R. B. Draschenberg is the Assistant Superintendent.

Principals are: L. L. McCallister, Vanderbilt High School; Bernard Staff - Vanderbilt Ward School;  Jerome Hubalke - Lolita - LaWard High School;  J. R. Van Zandt - Lolita Ward School;  I. C. Wendel - LaWard School;  Mrs. Laura Kutchka - Inez Ward School, and Mrs. Eugene Thedford - Francitas Ward School.