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Clarence School History

     It is thought that the first school was taught in a loft over Fish and Gerez store which stood on the site that was the site of the Baltisberger and Kline Department store, where the park is in downtown Clarence. During the Civil War period, “select schools” were held in private homes and taught by tutors. Eunice Frink and Howard Bell were teachers who held these schools in their homes during the first decade of Clarence school history.

     About 1865 the first public school house was built on the property where Kermit Roelf and Lavern Kintzel lived. (408 and 410 6th Avenue) It was a small one-room frame building. Mattie Johnson was the first teacher. Teachers were paid $15 a month. There was no grade organization in this first school. The first school building was moved to a site on Main Street (Lombard) and was torn down at the time the Ford garage was built in 1926.

     Two interesting incidents were recalled by Mrs. Eliza Cruise of the early day. She remembered well the time, when as a small child, she saw the school masters head bowed over his desk, and later learned that he had been asked to resign because the “big boys” were too much a discipline problem. The other incident recalled by her was the time when the first pair of overshoes ever worn in Clarence, a clumsy over-boot made out of horse hide with the hair on the inside, was given to Fred Schaaf during the very cold winter.

     The first graded school building in Clarence was erected in 1868, at a cost of $9,000 including grounds. It was a wooden building of two stories; four large school rooms, two recitation rooms and one music room, a small library and some modern apparatus. W. B. Hanna proposed the plan for the building, although Mr. Hanna was not a practical architect. The building was erected by A. D. Young, contractor and building of Vail, in Crawford County. An admirable feature of this school building was a large hall, intended for a play hall. When the weather became bad and scholars couldn’t go outdoors, this hall became a great advantage. “It is true,” said Mr. Stubbs, the principal, “that it is sometimes like bedlam, turned loose, but as the scholars of the different rooms have recess at the same time the noise is not so objectionable.” During the winter of 1878, the average daily attendance of the school set a record to that date of 165.

     The average length of the school year in the 1870’s was nearly 38 weeks; the longest having contained forty, and the shortest thirty-five. The school did not attain its full membership in a day, a term or a year, but with a roll call on its first morning of only seventeen, it went on increasing. In the spring term of the second year, the enrollment reached 43 and the following winter 60. In the fall term of 1873 it was 70, the largest number ever enrolled in one term. Up to this time there had been but three departments. It now became necessary to add another and to re-grade the school. The membership during the whole twenty-eight terms had been three hundred and ten.

     Earliest available records date back to the fall term of 1883. G.F. Skinner was principal then. He and his wife served the school until 1891, a period of eight years. In that early day the elementary school was divided into three groups: Primary, Intermediate and Grammar rooms. From 1883 to 1892 subjects included the three R’s, Grammar and Spelling. Declamation and Physiology appeared in 1887.

     Enrollment in the high school in 1883-84 was 57 in the fall term, 59 in the winter and 29 during the spring session. The age of students ranged from 13 to 21. It was during this term the fourth year of the high school curriculum was added. Joe Fell was the first student …

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Drawing of cardinal

… to meet the requirements of graduation under the modern four year plan, being the only graduate in 1884. In looking through the records, one student was more outstanding than all the rest. During his high school course Charles Smith received one grade of 95%, one of 97% and all rest were scored 100%.

     Henry Irons came to serve the school from 1914-1927, a period which saw many changes including a building program and consolidation. There is much for which we can be thankful for his guidance. On March 8, 1915, a $30,000 bond issue for a new building carried by a four to one majority. The rural districts were given the opportunity to vote on the consolidation before the new building contracts were let. On March 29, 1914, the vote still stood against consolidation.

     The “New Deal” was probably responsible for the new addition which made the Clarence school plant one of the finest in Iowa. Ever since the consolidation our school had been crowded, the stage was inadequate, the gymnasium too small, and there were not enough class rooms. The Board of Education was told of the P.W.A. grants for new buildings. Investigation showed that they had the support of the public without government help. The election, for a $20,00 bond issue which was held twice, is a matter of history. It carried three to one the last time.

     The new addition was built at a cost of $29,000 in the summer of 1934. It contained the best combination gymnasium-auditorium in this section of Iowa. The playing floor was 45’ by 68’. The stage had a 34 foot opening and crowds of 800 people could be accommodated at plays and basketball games. New classrooms, commodious locker space, a kitchen and spacious halls meant an outlet for the overcrowded situation that prevailed before 1934. A new office for the superintendent was included.

     The trophy case in the new building held a score of silver and bronze awards which are emblematic of team championships in girl’s basketball, baseball, boy’s basketball and track. The girl’s basketball team won district honors, two sectionals, two conference championships, and a county title during 1935-1936. They were undefeated on the home floor during these last three years and won 48 games and lost 12 during that time.

     From 1946-1954 numerous sections were added to the district and we became Clarence Community Schools with a total of 53 1/4 sections. Enrollment in 1945 was 201 students. In 1953 a Bond Election was passed for $250,000.00 for reconstruction and equipping the old buildings and building and furnishing an addition. Construction was started early in 1954 and the building was first used in the fall of 1955, with an enrollment of 370 students. The new addition consisted of 8 classrooms, music rooms, a shop, an agriculture facility, and a multi-purpose room, in the 66 ft. by 155 ft. addition. The old building has been changed over to make room for a larger dining room, a new science room and a home economics facility.

     In 1958 a questionnaire was sent to the graduates of the past ten years. The study showed that over 60% of our graduated during that time had gone on to college or had taken some other type of advanced work beyond the High School level. The following subjects are being offered in the High School Curriculum: 4 years of English, 3 years of Science, 4 years of Mathematics, 3 years of Home Economics, 3 years of Shop, 2 years of …

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Drawing of mascot

… Agriculture, 3 ½ years of Social Studies, Typing, Bookkeeping, Commercial Law and Drivers Training. During the past twelve years 95 Athletic Trophies and 123 Division I Ratings in the State have been won by the Clarence students in State Final Music Contests. Doc Paul and Bonnie Woode Hamdorf were honored by being placed on the first all state basketball team.

     In 1962 the Wapsie Conference added 4 more teams to be a 12 team conference. In 1967, a new addition was constructed with a $100,000 donation by the Joe Ditz memorial. Base teacher’s salary was $6000.

     A proposed merger in 1971 failed in Clarence, but passed in Lowden. Clarence school history changed with the public vote for a merger with Lowden in January, 1973. The first year of the Clarence-Lowden district was in 1973-74. Superintendent was Jerrel Gallagher, High School Principal Allen Whitlatch; Middle School Principal Tom Corrick; Elementary Principal and Guidance Counselor-G.O. Mason. The high school was in Clarence along with K-2. The middle school grades 5th -8th were in the 1957 addition in Lowden and the 3rd and 4th grades were in the old building in Lowden. The boys baseball and basketball team both won the conference under the coaching of Don Koppes. Golf and tennis were added to the athletic department. The drama department presented “The Fiddler on the Roof”. Fellowship of Christian Athletes was a new organization led by Dave Turnball. The middle school concept was new for the district with intramurals and a 7th and 8th grade football team.

     The first years of Clarence-Lowden brought many administrative changes. Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Mason resigned, and Lynn Hansen was named Superintendent. Lee Leidal was hired as the high school principal. In 1976-77, girls fall softball was replaced by volleyball. Football was added to high school sports with Dave Turnball as the first coach. A football field was constructed at the Clarence Park. Lee Leidal resigned as high school principal in 1978 and Mark Pilcher was hired.

     In 1981 the State Fire Marshall declared the old building in Clarence unsafe and the old building in Lowden was closed. Lynn Hansen resigned as superintendent and Richard Drey was named the new superintendent. Clarence-Lowden school was named a beneficiary in the estate of Walter Ibsen. A ballot for $1,875,000 bond issue for school buildings was brought to a vote in April, 1982 but was defeated. The base salary was set at $12,800 for teachers, principal’s salaries set for $29,500 and superintendent’s salary was set at $34,500. The current budget was $1,598.000. The board rejected a bid of $25 from Zion UCC to purchase the former elementary school and bus barn.

     A $975,000 bond issue was approved in April, 1983, with improvements in Clarence and new locker rooms, two classrooms, library and restrooms at the Lowden site. The first computer was purchased for the district, an Apple 2E, was added to Mrs. Bonnie Griesbach’s computer math class. The board approved half day kindergarten everyday. Richard Drey resigned as superintendent and Don Lamm was hired at $37,000.

     The C-L football team made it to the state football playoffs and advanced to the semi-finals for the first time in school history in 1984. The volleyball team advanced to the regional volleyball competition. Ellen Bonnie Greisbach, is nominated for the 1984 President Awards for excellence in Science and Mathematics teacher. Mark Pilcher was cut from the staff as high school principal in 1986. The students staged a walk out to …

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Drawing of the mascot

… protest. Tom Corrick was reassigned as middle school and high school principal. The school board discussed why AIDS had not been added to the curriculum. Linda Lindaman was re-elected President of the Clarence-Lowden school board. The Olin superintendent wanted to discuss sharing between Olin and C-L. The district budget exceeded $2 million for the first time in 1987 and the board approved sharing a superintendent with Lincoln for the 1987-88 school years. Pat Kedley was named Mid-East Conference Basketball Coach of the Year. In 1989, a public meeting about whole grade sharing was held with Lincoln. That year Lamm resigned as superintendent and Bob Cardoni was hired. An At-Risk program was implemented in the district.

     Dave Hunt was named Iowa Teacher of the Year in 1990. Tom Corrick resigned as middle school/high school principal and John Hlubek was hired as the new principal. The board signed an “Intent to share” agreement with Lincoln. After great controversy, Superintendent Cardoni was terminated on a 3-2 vote by the board. Former teacher and high school principal Richard Bachman was hired to fill the vacancy. A CLASS award from Wal-Mart was presented to Cindy Buck and the Clarence-Lowden district. Lincoln and C-L began sharing football. The boys track team, coached by Scott Mahmens, placed 2nd in the Class 2A State Track Meet. The board approved all day, everyday kindergarten and voted to join the reorganized Mideast and Wapsie combined athletic conference known as the Big East.

     In 1993, a public vote was held to reorganize the Clarence-Lowden-Lincoln districts. It was determined the high school would be in Stanwood and 6th through 8th grades would be in Clarence as a middle school. Lowden and Mechanicsville would each have an elementary facility for kindergarten through 5th grade. Richard Bachman remained the North Cedar Superintendent after being shared by Clarence-Lowden and Lincoln; Char Tammel was the middle school principal; John Hlubek the high school principal; and the elementary principal was Beth Herring Lee. Also in the 93-94, the girls’ basketball team played their first 5 on 5 basketball game.

     North Cedar School District’s first year was 1995-96. The high school students voted to select the Knights as the new school mascot with purple, teal and silver as the school colors. The girls’ basketball team, coached by Mike Bixler made its first appearance at the State Basketball Tournament in Des Moines since the 1950’s returning with the 2nd place trophy in Class 2A. They returned again in 1998 and 2000 bringing home the Class 2A championship trophy in 2000. The girls spent the week in Des Moines and were met in Mt. Vernon on Sunday by the local fire departments to be escorted back to the communities. The boys’ basketball team, coached by Pat Kedley, made their first appearance at the State Basketball Tournament a week later. The girl’s volleyball team, coached by Marilee Oldorf made appearances at the State Volleyball Tournament at the Five Seasons in Cedar Rapids three straight seasons, in ’95, ’96 and ’97. In 2000, the school board voted to discontinue the activity shuttle bus that ran between the four towns to return students to their home town after athletic practices.

     Richard Hobart, superintendent, led the district through some challenging financial times as the two districts joined to be one. He also helped the district get a Harkin grant for …

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… building, but the bond issue to build a district wide elementary in Clarence was defeated so the grant could not be accepted. Mr. Hobart retired in 2002 and Gregg Fursteneau was hired as superintendent. He worked to pass an $8.9 million bond issue. The bonding allowed the district to build kindergarten rooms at Lowden, a new cafeteria and competition gym at Clarence, remodel existing space at Clarence, and construct a new elementary building in Mechanicsville. The city of Lowden worked with Little Home Daycare and the USDA to secure grants and loans to construct an early childhood facility onto the elementary building in Lowden. Matt Fields was a two time state champion at heavyweight in wrestling in the ’03 and ’04 seasons.

     In 2006, North Cedar hired Mary Jo Hainstock as the first female superintendent. Dave Hunt and Debbie Harms retired from the high schools after each taught for 30 years. An open house honoring them was held in the Clarence Middle School library. The following year Ms. Harms passed away from cancer and the board voted to rename the 1934 gym, “The Debbie Harms Theatre” in her memory.

     North Cedar Student Council sponsored a district wide clean up for Earth Day in the spring of 2007. All high school students were divided in the four communities to clean up, plant trees, rake lawns and teach recycling methods to the elementary students. They joined forces with the local Lion’s clubs to walk the road ditches and helped the Clarence Park Board clean up the park. This is now an annual event.

     The three projects the bond issue financed were started in August of 2006. The new addition and daycare facilities were opened for tours during the Lowden Sesquicentennial Celebration in August of 2007. The first basketball games were played in the new competition gym in Clarence in December of 2007. Students started attending classes in their new pre-kindergarten-fourth grade building in Mechanicsville in January of 2008. Fifth graders started to attend the middle school in Clarence for the 2007-2008 school years under the leadership of Mr. Greg Fisher, principal.

     Mr. Dain Jeppson, high school principal, began the Hall of Fame outside the new gym to document the outstanding accomplishments of individual athletes and fine arts performers from the four communities and seven school districts. Graduation requirements for North Cedar seniors include 4 years of English, 3 years of mathematics, 3 years of science, 3 years of social sciences, including 1 year of government, and 4 years of physical education. Students are given the opportunity to participate in band, choir, drama, athletics, Student Council, 90 Degree Club, Biz Club, FFA and National Honor Society. In 2008-2009 a family advocate position was added, Kim Hilby, began a Silver Cord program to recognize students that are involved in community service for North Cedar Schools and the communities. Mark Glover was hired as middle school principal after serving as North Cedar’s School Board President since the start of North Cedar.

     Many changes have occurred during the last 150 years in education. We have gone from one room country schools to three story brick buildings, from one town to four communities to support a school. Budgets have gone from hundreds of dollars to millions of dollars to keep our school running. Through all the changes, one thing has remained constant, education is a priority in our community as we work together to educate our children and raise productive members of society.

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Picture: North Cedar High School at Stanwood
Picture: North Cedar Middle School at Clarence
Picture: Elementary School at Mechanicsville
Picture: Elementary School at Lowden.

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School Songs

Clarence Fight Song
(Our Director)

We’re the Clarence Cardinals,
Co-op-er-ation,
We’re the Clarence Cardinals,
We’ll fight for vic-tor-y

Yea Red and Black
This we never lack
See out colors fly
For Clarence High

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Clarence-Lowden Fight Song
(Minnesota Rouser)

We are the Clarence-Lowden Rebels out to win that’s why we’re here
We are the team that has the spirit so let’s hear it with a cheer!
Rah! Rah! Rah!
When you see our team get the ball
Then you know we give it our all
Fight! Fight! Marron and White!
So let’s sound off our Rebel call
R-E-B-E-L-S
Rebels, Rebels are the best!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

North Cedar Knights School Song <
(Notre Dame Fight Song)

Cheer, cheer for North Cedar Knights
We’re going to fight with all of our might
To our colors we’ll be true
Teal, Purple, silver loyal to you
We’ve got the spirit
GO! Fight! Win!
Our ream is the very best
We’re going to try
Hey! That our cry
So here’s to a vic-tor-y
KNIGHTS!!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

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Picture: 1990 State Track Class 1A Runner-up Clarence-Lowden Rebels & Coach Scott Mahmens
Picture: 1996 State Basketball Class 2A Runner-up North Cedar Knights and Coach Mike Bixler
Picture: 2000 State Class 2A Champions!!!!
Picture of trophy