The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) published a booklet to capture the history of the small community schools and the opening of the Consolidated School in the Seventh District of Northern Maryland.
Excerpt from the "Consolidated School of the Seventh District History 1933, Parkton, MD" page 24
Origin of Seventh District Consolidated School
A district meeting was held at Shane School during the school year 1930. The main object of this meeting was to bring the patrons of all the school together in order to choose a most desirable location for the new seventh district consolidated school. Mr. J.P. Jordon, school commissioner, presided. No definite action was taken at this time.
The School Board next considered the Hunter property at Weisburg, but any attempts made to purchase land proved unsuccessful.
Delegates , including patrons from the various schools, appeared in a body, before the Board of Education at Towson, favoring the erection of the new school north of Parkton. A piece of land near Mr. Little's residence was then considered.
Later, it was thought that the spot where Stablersville Church stands was a central location for the entire district. The School Board was about to purchase this property since the County Commissioners had promised a hard road leading through that section. It was found , however that financial conditions prevented such a procedure, so plans for a location of the school at Stablersville were discarded.
The next move of the School Board was the consideration of a site along the Greystone Road. This procedure again did not bring forth any results, as available land could not be secured. For a period of time no further steps were taken.
Early in the year 1932, the Board of Education secured twelve acres of land located along the York Road or Susquehanna Trail, between Parkton and Maryland Line. This land was purchased from Mr. Naurot at a price of 300 dollars per acre.
A more beautiful spot could not be found, for the elevation at this point, reaching 811 feet above sea level provides a wonderful view in all directions. The level land also is a most important advantage. The Land was surveyed and very early in the same year (1932) the construction of the present school building was in operation, the architects bring Smith, May and Company.
Three wells were drilled on the ground, each of these reaching a depth of 600 feet, before a satisfactory amount of water was obtained. By September of 1932, a fine modern building was completed. Its construction consists of stone obtained from Butler in Baltimore County. The building contains thirteen large well-ventilated classrooms, having plenty of light. Mechanical air ventilators have been provided. There is a splendid auditorium well arranged for entertainments and assemblies of any nature.
In the basement, there is a very large play room, a place equipped for manual training, also a room modernly planned for instruction in home economics. Above the auditorium at the front of the building is a is a spacious room suitable for a school library. The amble ground space provides for all kinds of school athletics.
On September 12, 1932, the Seventh District Consolidated School opened with a total enrollment of boys and girls, numbering about 450. Ten full-time teachers, including the principal had charge of instruction in ten different classrooms.
The elementary children were transported from the eight school communities in four coaches, although it was found necessary to establish six routes in order to convey all the pupils. The names of the bus drivers and their routes are: -
Elmer Slade - Vernon
Melvin Burton - Parkton and White Hall
Mr. Parks - New Market and Bentley Springs
R. A. Whitcraft - Shane-Union
The communities represented by the schools have a just right to be happy and proud of their school so beautifully designed and so efficiently arranged for service. An example of their sincere appreciation was exemplified when the parents whole-heartedly responded to every call to assist in promoting the best education possible for the children, and to prepare them for living happy and successful lives.
End of excerpt from "Consolidated School of the Seventh District History 1933, Parkton, MD" page 24
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