On April 29, 1964, a meeting of the Committee of Secondary Schools took place in Des Moines, which was to have a very serious bearing on our own St. Patrick's School.

May 6, 1964, the parish was informed that Sister Mary JOHA had received a letter from J. E. McADAMS, who was the chairman of the Committee of Secondary Schools, informing her that we would lsoe our high school credits unless we complied with certain requirements. Equipment costing a prohibitive price would have to be supplied to take care of the science needs of students; a full-time librarian would have to be hired and the library improved; and the school building itself would have to be renovated and safety measures realized.

Father REICKS told us that he didn't think it feasible to go along with the extra cost it would put on the parish. A letter was read from Archbishop James J. BYRNE saying that the high school would be closed at the end of the present school year [1964] and urged the people to merge with Newman Central High School in Mason City.

Needless to say the announcement numbed everyone. Meetings were held trying to decide what was best to do. Transportation was the stumbling block. The final consequence was the community split five different ways. Permission was asked and received from the Archbishop for the majority of the students to attend the public high schools. Ten students went to Newman.

Contribution by John McLaughlin
Article submission by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2011