on the corner of Main and South streets, the former school site. The school was soon graded and again outgrew its quarters, so the building was moved in from west of town and used for the intermediate grades. In 1891, the school had reached the standard where it was possible to organize a high school, and a three-year course was added, with the first class graduating in 1893.
In 1894, the new building was moved two blocks east, to the present site of Mrs. S. B. Kilstofte's residence, and two rooms were added. Two more rooms were added to the building in 1900, and in 1902 the high school course was extended to four years.
Agitation for consolidation was begun in 1914, and an election was held January 26, 1915 to consolidate four rural school districts with the Roland Independent School. The issue carried, an architect was hired, and contracts let in the amount of $52,000 for a building of two stories and basement, 104 feet long by 78 feet wide. The cornerstone was laid December 7, 1915, and the building dedicated September 29, 1916.
For the 1916-17 school year, elementary teachers received $50 per month, with high school teachers' salaries ranging from $70 to $100 per month. The superintendent, Karl Hanson, received $108 per month, and six bus drivers were hired at $45 to $60 per month. The school furnished wagons with a capacity of 20-24 pupils while the drivers furnished the horses.
The class of 1917 was the first to graduate from the new school, having completed four courses each year for four years. Courses offered were English, algebra, agriculture, Norse, Latin, geometry, history, domestic science, manual training, bookkeeping, physics, German, and civics. A passing grade was 75%.
Several improvements were made in the years that followed. Six lots south of the school were purchased from Bergen Church in 1940 for additional playground space. In 1941, a new gymnasium-auditorium was built using $20,000 in school funds and $28,000 in federal works funds. A school dwelling was built in 1950 at a cost of $9,000, and a six stall bus garage was constructed in 1953 for $15,000.
The Roland Consolidated School became a community school district in July 1956 with the annexation of land in Hamilton and Hardin counties. In 1963 a new addition was constructed and some other alterations made at a cost of $150, 000.
In the fall of 1968, Roland and Story City voters passed a proposition to combine schools, and the Roland-Story Community School District became effective in July 1969. The high school is located in Story City and the Junior High in Roland. Elementary classes are held in each community.
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