contributed
by: Larry Grady
(transcribed from the 1954 news article below, found in his late mother's scrapbook)
Claywood
School
The
School District Number 4 of
Maple Valley was organized in
1886. At that time it was
known as subdistrict number 8, town of Maple Valley. The first meeting
was held on March 8th, 1886.
This
first Claywood school was on the corner of the
farm, formerly known as the Sauter farm, Lawrence Courchaine
lives
on this place now.
At an annual meeting held the last Monday of September, 1886, it was
voted to have 7 months of school and to raise $50.00 for
current
expenses. Mrs. Christ Nelson was the first teacher for a wage of $35.00
per month. J. M. Burbank was County Superintendent.
The
first school board was elected at the annual meeting
which was held on the first Tuesday in July, which was July 5th,
1887. The officers were elected in the following order: John Hanson,
clerk one year, Jorgen A. Jorgenson. treasurer two years, Theodore
Christensen, director, term two years. It was moved and carried at this
meeting to "raise $25.00 for the introduction of Harper's
school
books and for'school board to furnish said books to pupils at
cost
price".
The
teacher was hired for four imonths, from September
through December, then a vacation of three months from January through
March, then rehired for three months, from April through June. Wood was
delivered for $.25 a cord. Water was carried from the John Monson place
for $2.00 a year.
The
following were teachers in this first school: Mrs.
Nelson, Susan Gilky, Maggie Kelley, Tillie Young, Mary Mc Donell, Chas.
Tuttle, Margaret Brady, Nettie Mc Kenny. Thomas Harmon, Ella Hanson,
Johy Reymnolds, Ella Larsen, (Mrs. Chas. Monson of Suring), Anette
Phelan, Mae Ratchford and Mary Finnegan.
In
1903. District Number 8 was divided into two districts,
Maple Valley Number 4 and Maple Valley Number 7. It was at this time
that the present Claywood school began. James Slang and Antone Arveson
built this school, which is a brick building 28' by 50'. Christ Nelson
was clerk, Louis Larsen director, and Peter Hanson treasurer. Gertie
McLean was the first teacher of this school.
The
school has been remodeled since it was built. It was
insulated, and wired for electricity in 1946. It is heated with a
jacket stove. This year a new cupboard was built and the sink comer
remodeled. The interior of the building was redecorated, this being
done every two years. New tops were put on some of the desks, and all
were varnished.
We
have new books in reading, history, arithmetic, geography
and health. There is a radio in the school.
