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River School

Sodus Township #5

A Brief History

Complied By:

Carl Steinke

Arnold A. Hafer

Betty J. Hafer

Constance Hafer Keigley

David M. Keigley

August 14, 1993

Updated By:

Ralph R. Frisch

August, 2005

HISTORY

The original abstract of property now owned by Arnold Hafer has a reference of River School having property for a school lot in 1835. This is again referred to in 1865. However, there is no direct evidence of a school being built in 1835. When Pipestone Township was formed in 1843 four school districts were created. Two of those remained when Sodus Township was formed in 1859 but no record of which two.

It’s known that a one-room school existed in 1862, probably of brick and standing only about 10 to 15 feet back from the road. Fred Gleason was the first teacher of record in 1892. School records show Mr. Gleason enrolled 56 children in school in 1894, although the average attendance was 26 students. His salary in 1903 was $320 for the year. Some supplies purchased in 1903 included: soap 15¢, gold dust 20¢, mop and pail 25¢, stove blacking 10¢. Fall school cleaning that year cost $2 and school insurance was $2.50.

On May 2, 1906, a special meeting was held to vote on building an addition to the school. That motion and a motion to issue a $1,200 bond to be paid in three installments both passed. There is no record of the addition being built at that time though. The July 20, 1908 meeting showed a motion passed to reshingle, paint, and build a ten-foot wide porch the full width of the school. Records show materials and labor were purchased for work. A two-mill tax was voted in for general purpose. The Director's salary was raised to $10, the Treasurer’s to $5, and the Moderator’s to $3. Other expenses included 50¢ for four hours labor to repair the drain across the school lot and 80¢ for lawn mowing. The teacher's records for that year (and the next also) showed two students could not understand English.

In 1909 the school purchased an organ for $36. The big problem that year was whether to have a male or female teacher for the next school year. Evidently they couldn't decide so two teachers were hired -- one of each. They also voted to have school for eight months. During these early years J.W. Ludy was hired to do janitor work and was paid $50 to $60 every two or three months.

1910 and 1911 brought big changes. At the May 12, 1910, meeting they voted to build a new two-room school, 24 feet x 36 feet, and to sell bonds totaling $3,500 for ten years. On June 10, 1910, they rescinded the original vote and instead voted to build an addition not to exceed $2,000 in cost. They also bought additional land, two rods wide and the length of the lot, from J.P. Versaw for $25. A four-foot high fence was then built around three sides of the property. 1911 records show a 20-foot x 24-foot room, built of brick, was added to the north side of the school. The builder was Mr. Edgecumbe. A new coal furnace was purchased for $185 and the chimney was built in 1912. The first bond payment was made July 12, 1912, to F & M Bank for $368. Tuition paid to Benton Harbor City Schools both years for high school tuition. It cost $20 for two students each year.

Smallpox was still common in those years and records show school was closed for two weeks in 1913 because of it. The basement, which did not have an inside entrance, was excavated and two outhouses were fixed in 1914 for a total cost for materials and labor of $82.92. They also dug a new well for $150.

1917-18 brought a longer school year; it was now 8 1/2 months long. A floor was put in the primary room. One expense was long-distance telephone calls to Eau Claire; they totaled 10¢ -- for the year. School hoard salaries rose; the Director now earned $20, Treasurer $15, and the Moderator $10. Payment to the Michigan Teachers' Retirement Fund in that year was 1/2 of 1% of the teacher's salary. It came to $1.84, which was subtracted from the teacher's salary of$368 for the year. Postage costs in 1919-20 totaled 20¢. That year has the first record of paying for light and power. Payments to B.H. & St.J. Light Co. averaged $2 to $3 per month. By 1922 tuition was up to $60 for each high school student. Since students went to whichever high school they se payments were made to several schools. The school year was finally extended to 9 months in 1924.

Kings Landing School Burns

That was the newspaper headline for March 31, 1927. River School burned to the ground just as school was about to begin. Sixty students were saved from tragedy when Mrs. Florence Biastock went outside to check on students after the first bell rang at 8:30 A.M. She noticed smoke coming from the roof, ran inside and told Kenneth Merritt, the other teacher, and got the students out of the building. Neighbors helped remove the piano, two desks, and a motion picture machine. The teachers tried to put out the fire using two fire extinguishers but failed; they got out just as the roof fell in. Everything was totally destroyed. The teachers said if it had happened 15 minutes later children would have died. The cause of the fire was unknown, but since it started in roof it was probably from sparks or a defective flue. School records stated the building was insured for $5,500 with $500 on contents. The newspaper account stated there was $20.000 to $25,000 damage that was fully insured. It also stated the school was built 50 years earlier and that seven years earlier a new wing was added, a modern heating plant installed, and other improvements made. That was probably an error since records indicated it was done earlier. One hour after the fire began all that was left standing was the brick chimney and jagged walls. The school year was completed in Peterson's Hall with payment of $ 150 for rent. One sentence from the newspaper stated "The lives of two teachers were endangered shortly before 9 o'clock this morning when fire destroyed River School on the new Kings Landing - Eau Claire Highway."

The day after the fire, April 1, they voted to order plans #9 and #10 from the state to build a two-room school. By May 2 they sent the revised plan (there is nothing that says which plan) to the state for approval and voted to buy additional ground from Mr. Smith (Smirinotis) seven rods east and one rod south for $250. May 23 a $9,000 bond to build was voted in, and on July 5 the contract to build was awarded to Schlutt Bros., who had the lowest bid of five at $10,850. The high bid was $14,376. When school started in 1927 it was in a new school, with a new teacher, Rose Bittner. In 1929 George Pope replaced Mr. Merritt as teacher and Principal.

By 1934 the millage for general purpose had been raised to 8.5 mills. They also voted in debt retirement millage during the 30's and 40's, usually around five to six mills. A special meeting was held in 1939 to decide if tuition should be paid for high school students. The motion passed by a vote of ten to four.

The annual meeting in 1937 was called three times. The first was on July 12, when only three people, two of them board members, attended. It was postponed to July 19 hoping more people would come. More did come; four people attended. It was again postponed to July 25, when five people, three of them board members, met and the meeting went forward. The same situation occurred in 1945 and 1946 when only the board members attended the annual meetings, but then they just went ahead and held the meetings. During that time, at one of the annual meetings, no one had a school key so they held the meeting outdoors.

1947 almost became Miss Bittner's last year at River School. She asked for a raise after she was offered more money to teach at Fairplain School. The board decided she was too good a teacher to lose so they gave her, and Mr. Pope, a bonus of $300. It must have been a good incentive because she stayed. The decade ended with the last of the school bonds being paid to John Brennan.

1953 saw the final school property purchase when a special meeting was held in May. A vote of six to zero authorized purchasing one-half acre at the back of the property from James Smirinotis. The purchase was finalized on June 6 for $250. That year River School, along with several other elementary schools in the area, took a trip on the New York Central Railroad to Detroit to see Greenfield Village. The cost of the trip was $6,392.20, all of which was repaid to the school.

Florine Brown came to River School in 1954 to teach beginners and first grade. Since the school still just had two rooms she taught on the stage in the basement. On October 29, 1955, a special election was held to vote oh a bond issue for a classroom addition. Only property owners could vote on the $20,000 bond issue, which passed 29 to 2. All registered voters could vote on the 8-mill debt retirement issue, which would run from 1956 to 1966: it passed 31 to 2. At that time there were 80 students with Mrs. Brown, teaching 19 of them. The addition was built to the north, 21 feet x 32 feet and brick to match the school. It had a separate entrance, a classroom with lavatories upstairs, and a full basement with a large kitchen. The addition was designed by Setterberg and McGrath, and the $28,000 contract to build awarded to Longacre Construction Co. By 1956 we were a three-room school.

During the mid-60's a move was on for countywide school annexation. Several meetings were held with all the schools, many plans were proposed, and everyone had an opinion. After the countywide plan was voted down in May 16, 1966, and all the dust had settled, most of the primary schools consolidated on their own. River School was one of two primary schools in Berrien County, which voted, by a margin of 57 to 13 out of 102 voters, to remain independent. The other being Riverside. Then the push was on. Throughout the late 60's and early 70's there was extreme pressure to consolidate but we continued to maintain our independence. Until that time most graduates attended Benton Harbor High School; afterwards Eau Claire High School agreed to accept our students for tuition and they continue there today.

After countywide graduation was discontinued in 1966 River School held its' own, complete with decorations, Pomp and Circumstance, and a speaker. And don't forget the handshake. The school board also took the graduates to dinner beforehand.

1969 marked the first River School Reunion. Lawrence E. Harte was Chairman and it was held on July 5 at the school. Former students, teachers and friends were invited to tour the school, hear its' history, see old pictures, and join in a pot-luck super. It was reported a good time was had had by all. 1969 also marked the last year River School had a school census. Every year previous someone who lived in the district was paid to count all school age children.

Which brings us to the present. In 1992-93 the district had a State Equalized Valuation of property of $2,837,350. The operating millage was 26 mills and the budget totaled $231,100, which included high school tuition of $3,018.04 per pupil and transportation costs. There were 69 elementary students enrolled and 13 high school students. Staff included four classroom teachers, with one of them serving as Principal, a Chapter I teacher, and a teacher's aid. Salaries are based on the degree earned and the number of years of experience. We also employed a part-time music teacher, a part-time bilingual aid who also taught Spanish, and a Janitor. School Board salaries were $350 for the President, $400 for the Secretary, and $450 for the Treasurer.

Throughout its' years River School has been involved in many activities besides reading, writing, and arithmetic. There were potluck suppers, box socials, and cakewalks. Chicken suppers, spaghetti suppers, and just plain suppers. Hayrides, sleigh rides, and treasure hunts. Softball games, Ping-Pong games, roller-skating, and swimming at the "Y". Blind turkey, pom pom pullaway, and snowball fights. The Fall Festival, Halloween when you tried so hard not to talk so no one would guess who you were, and students making Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings. The Christmas program with all its' decorations and Santa; Valentine's Day -- remember decorating your box and wondering if you would get that "special" one? The Pledge of Allegiance; Safety Patrol with the belt and armband and if you were lucky a badge. PTA and Men's Night (didn't they look cute in their aprons and they did a pretty good job besides), and all that cooking in that little kitchen; how did they ever manage to do it? And the school trips. Mr. Pope is credited with being the first teacher in Berrien County to take students to the Capitol in Lansing and the state prison in Jackson and later Chicago, Detroit, and Indianapolis, among other places. Getting up at five in the morning was never so much fun, before or since. And to end the year was graduation and the school picnic.

River School really is a family. Many, many families have two and three generations of River School students but one family stands out. They are the Hafers, who have two branches with four generations each who went to River School. Ida Hafer Rauch, her son Leonard, grandson Ronald, and two great-grandsons, David and Brian, all attended as students. Ida's younger brother Albert Hafer married Blundena Steinke, another student. Their son Arnold, granddaughter Connie and her son David, and grandson Keith and his daughter Kristina all were students at River School.

Of several former students of River School who are over 80 years of age four still live in the district. They are Raymond Ferguson, Alfred Rauch, Elsie Rhode, and Carl Steinke. Olga Villwock Shaffer, who lives in South Bend, is the oldest former student at 91 years of age. Two other students are Edna Herman Karsen, who is 89 years of age, and Vina Prillwitz Robbins, who is 86 years of age.

In the late nineties a new gabled roof was installed over the original tar and gravel flat roof and air conditioning units were installed for the three upper floor classrooms. All of the windows and outside entrance doors were replaced also to improve heating efficiency. These improvements place and septic system upgrades enable the building to be used for many more years into the future. In the summer of 2004 a wireless internet capability was put in place to allow the staff and students high-speed access to the internet.

During the 2004-2005 school year the Parent Teacher Student Organization, under the leadership of Catherine Glassman, embarked upon a campaign to update the school’s playground equipment. Through auctions, spring flower sales, T-shirt sales, candy sales and the like, enough funds were raised to replace the equipment. Through a community work effort in August 2005 the new equipment was installed for the start of the 2005-2006 school year.

TEACHERS

River School began with one teacher. Mrs. Amos Thomas (Laura Shairi) remembered her first teacher was Low Rector; she attended River School all through grade school and graduated in 1895. Fred Gleason is the first teacher we have record of in 1892. He taught a large number of students. In 1894 there were 56 students enrolled; however, the average daily attendance was 26 students. Mr. Gleason's salary in 1901 was $320 for the year, and the teacher also served as the janitor.

1910 was the first year two teachers were hired. Katherine Ennis taught 49 students in the lower grades; her salary was $35 per month. The upper room teacher was Lula Hyde, who taught 31 students for a salary of $40 per month. By 1923 salaries had gotten larger. Lula Humphrey received $100 per month for teaching 36 students in the lower grades and Kenneth Merritt received $125 for teaching 32 students in the upper grades. It was normal for the upper room teacher to get more money; the teacher was usually a man who was also the Principal.

In the late 20's two teachers were hired who taught more than two generations of students at River School. Rose Bittner was hired in 1927 and George Pope in 1929. We don't have a record of their salaries at the time they were hired but by 1934 they were considerably lower than they had been ten years earlier due to the Depression. Mr. Pope received $80 per month and Miss Bittner received $70 per month. In that year we also have record of hiring a Mrs. Beckwith to teach music for $6 per month. She taught for several years, well into the mid-30’s, when she earned $12 per month. In 1942 both teachers still earned less than $100 per month but by 1946, after World War II was over, that had doubled. Mr. Pope also received a separate salary of around $30 per month as janitor.

Many of the students who were taught by Miss Bittner and Mr. Pope had children, and in some families even grandchildren, who attended River School when they were still teaching. Mr. Pope taught his son, Gary, and his grandson, Graydon.

River School still had two teachers until 1954 when Florine Brown was hired. It was still a two-room school then, so Mrs. Brown taught her beginners and first-grade students on the stage in the basement. When the addition was being built in 1955-56 she had 19 students; there were 80 students enrolled in school that year.

Mr. Pope taught at River School for 50 years, retiring in 1979. Miss Bittner taught for 37 years at River School, her entire teaching career, until she retired in 1965. Mrs. Brown taught at River School for 14 years, retiring from full-time teaching in 1968. She then taught here as a substitute for two more years.

River School now has a staff of eight. Mrs. Margaret C. Frisch teaches grades 7-8; Mrs. Theresa C. Fodor teaches grade 3-4; Mrs. Virginia Velez teaches grades 1-2; Mrs. Michelle Stark teaches Kindergarten and Special Education; Mr. James Mitchell teaches grades 5-6; Mrs. Catherine Glassman teaches Library and other specials. Mrs. Jean C. Stroud is Principal; and Mr. Ralph R. Frisch is Technology Consultant and teaches science and math. Mrs. Stroud has been at River School for 24 years and counting. In 2005-2006 there are 60 elementary students enrolled. Salaries have changed considerably, with a salary schedule based on teacher's degree and the number of years of experience they have.

Following is a list of teachers who have taught at River School that we know of at this time.

MEMORIES

Mrs. Amos Thomas (Laura Shairi) – at 89 years of age in 1993

She attended River District all through her grade school years. She walked from Mt. Pleasant to River School for six years s() she didn't have to change schools. Mr. Gleason was her teacher when she graduated in 1895. Her first teacher was Low Rector. She has her report card from 8th grade. She was a good student. Her husband, Amos Thomas, was Director from 1926 to 1937 when he passed away. He wrote Mr. Pope's first contract; also Miss Bittner's. Mrs. Thomas was asked to fill out his term and she was also re-elected until 1941 when she resigned. Her father was also Treasurer for River School. A Mr. Farmer who taught would stop by for wages but unsure of date. (From 1969 River School Reunion)

Elsie Rhode – at 84 years of age in 1993

I remember Vina Prillwitz bringing an alarm clock and setting it for school dismissal time. It rang and Mrs. Griswald scolded us and kept us after school ~gain. I can also remember walking to school in the winter with my brother Ed down the Interurban Track as it was cleared and the road wasn't. The train was coming and Ed climbed up the snow bank and pulled me up until the train passed. Then we continued to school.

Carl Steinke – at 83 years of age in 1993

I remember my wife Eleanor telling of how her brother, Warren Leitz, cried when the school caught fire because his lunch bucket burned. I also can remember hearing Mrs. Sagmiller, who was Mrs. Shairi's mother, telling of attending River School in 1864.

Lawrence E. Harte – at 62 years of age in 1993

Mr. Pope held boxing matches between the boys during recess and noon using the big, soft gloves. No one got hurt but we had lots of fun.

Jeanette Hauch Schlipp – at 59 years of age in 1993

I looked forward to Christmas and Spring Programs, as Mr. Pope would have a Drill Team, especially if you got to be one of the leaders. A few times we got to perform for other events. Also, he would let the older students help him by writing lesson!' on blackboard, saying spelling words, and reading/listening to the other students.

Ned (William) Adams – at 43 years of age in 1993

My fondest memories of River School are centered mostly around the activities (softball, skating and swimming parties, treasure hunts, Fall Festival and end of year s). I guess the trip that stands out in my mind the most is going to the Indy 500 Time Trials and getting to go into the pits.

Marybeth Ertman Prillwitz – at 40 years of age in 1993

Something I will always remember is Mrs. Brown singing a lullaby to the Kindergartners at "rest time" while we sat around a table with our heads down.

Brett Kuyat – at 24 years of age in 1993

I remember when I was a little kid in the little room and being sent to take messages to Mr. Pope in the big room. Mr. Pope would pick me up and put me on his. Then he would always open his desk drawer and give me a piece of candy.

Amy Rogers – at 21 years of age in 1993

When I think of River School I remember a teacher who could write with both hands, Miss Potratz. Her class was challenging but no matter how hard she would always use her famous encouraging words "you can do it." Miss Potratz always had a smile and showed she cared what happened to her kids; that’s what she called her students.

Kristen Harte – at 11 years of age in 1993

My first talent show at River School is what I remember best. My brother Greg I did a song-skit in costume to the song "Stupid Cupid." It was a lot of fun to do it our families and friends.

Amanda Jo Moore – at 8 years of age in 1993

One special moment I remember the most at River School was the time I taught Mrs. Birmele how to run the new program we got at school for our computers. I enjoy running the computers very much.

Home

Fred Gleason	Florence Hauser	John Wayne Allen
Mary Gleason	V.E. Wallace	Darrel A. Beebe
Harry Hogue	Kenneth Merritt	Myrna Pelon
H.D. Engles	Rose Bittner	Sandy Denzel
Edward English	George Pope	Sharon Ball
Lula Hyde	Florine Brown	Lissa H. Heimbigner
Mrs. H.B. Lathe	Rebecca Valle	Mary Elizabeth Meier
Nellie Culver	Mable Nelson	Marcy Pfahler
Katherine Ennis	Mable Closson	Mary Elizabeth Bentham
C .G. Chaney	Judith Anderson	Carla Birmele
Maude Shairi	Dora Greve	Randy Pfahler
Beulah Whalen	Mary-Lou Burkett Smith	Margaret C. Frisch
Victor Ferguson	Colleen Jill Benson	Theresa C. Fodor
Lillian Puterbaugh	Nina Steele	Marci Jones
Beatrice Ruple	William Peyton	Barbara Shephard
Ruth Leitz	Catherine Rustin	Michelle Stark
Clyde Dohm	Eloise Potratz	Wendy Zahrn
Georgia Biastock	Marlene Bruno	Patricia A. Peterson
Lura Griswald	Jean C. Stroud	James Mitchell

Moderator/President
John Fields	Glenn Parritt
Frank Smith	Charles Lange
Milo Hyde	Jake Costanza
John Lange	Carl Kuyat
Mrs. K.L. Steimle	Sally H. Lange
W.E. Versaw	Karen S. McCuan
E.F. Biastock	Santo Costanza
Robert Tillstrom

Director/Secretary
T .C. Prillwitz	Carl Steinke
Frank Deaner	Robert Versaw
J.P. Versaw	Victor A. Miller
B.A. Crandall	Glenn Deaton
B.F. Prillwitz	Robert A. Dunbar
Carl Steimle	Kathleen Abbott Carlock
E.F. Biastock	Helen Miller
Amos Thomas	Constance J. Keigley
Mrs. Amos Thomas	Sharon Reed
Lloyd Versaw	Gina Edwards
L.M. Jones

Treasurer
F.L. Deaner	Sally H. Lange
John Shairi	Karen S. McCuan
Hale Tennant	Larry Beasley
John Lange	Russell P. Costanza
Henry Akright	Shari Lynn Davis
August F. Steinke	Karen S. McCuan
Arthur Lange	Sharon Reed
Arnold A. Hafer

Kings Landing School Burns

TEACHERS

Moderator/President

Director/Secretary

Treasurer

MEMORIES