reprinted with the permission of the Chillicothe Constitution Tribune

The sound of the school bell is gone now from the last of the older school buildings in the Livingston County R-III district.  These buildings were vacated and a modern new building moving into during the Christmas holiday week.  The first classes in the new structure, located at the south edge of Chula, will be held this coming Monday.

Shown above are maple Grove 104, south of Chula on Route V; the brick school in Chula at the intersection of Routes V and K, and Center school, west of Chula on Route K.  The three buildings will be sold.

While completion of the new building was awaited this fall, students of the district's first and third grades held classes at Maple Grove, sixth graders were at Center and other elementary grades were in the Chula building.  There are 120 students in the eight grades.  All but one of the high school students is sent to Chillicothe.

Teachers are Mrs. Ilah Me Higgins, first and third grades; Mrs. Elizabeth Brobst, second; Mrs. Twylia Mason, fourth and fifth; Mrs. WIlla Peery, sixth, and Miss Betty Francis Hall, seventh and eighth and principal.  Everett Bethards is custodian of the new building and Mrs. Bethards will assist in the food service department.  Mrs. Mamie Thorne has charge of the food service.

Elliott & Armes of Richmond was the contracting firm for the new building.  

Members of the R-III board of education are Marshall Meservey, president; Mrs. Gerald Graham, clerk; Orville Jacobs, Earl Benskin, Nolan Donoho and Verl (Pete) Roberts.  Mrs. Irene Merriott is treasurer.  President of the P.T.A. is Mrs. Wayne Cunningham.

Howard Leech, county superintendent of schools, said the new building is a fine one, well designed and pleasant and that the entire community is proud of it.

The board accepted the building from the contractor on Dec. 15, with the approval of the architect and with some minor items to be complete.

The R-III district includes an area about six miles by 10 miles and is made of 11 former districts, Banner, Phillips, Smith, Ward, Farmersville, American Bottoms, Center, Chula, Manning, Gordonville and Maple Grove 104.

[Photographs of Maple Grove, Chula, Center and R-III Schools accompany article.  The caption under the photo of the new R-III school building reads:  First classes will be held Monday in the new R-III school building at Chula.  The first use of the structure was a P.T.A. meeting and Christmas program attended by a large crowd.  One hundred twenty students and faculty of five will use the modern building.  There are five classrooms with up-to-date equipment, a food service room, all purpose room with gymnasium and stage areas, principal's office and health room, and various storage and rest rooms.  Cost of the building, equipment and eight acres of ground was around $175,000.  The above view is from the playground side.  Some installation remains to be done at the front entrance.]