Farragut School - 3rd Floor Student Population
When the school year began in August 1963, grades 5-12 were located on the third floor of the Farragut school house that was built in 1929.
By grade level, the student headcount was:
12th – 43
11th – 54
10th – 49
9th – 52
8th – 26
7th – 39
6th – 31
5th – 38
_____
332
Planning for student population growth had begun earlier and on May 3, 1962 voters were given the opportunity to indicate their feelings regarding a construction bond in the amount of $420,000 for the construction of additional classrooms, office space, a commons area and a gymnasium with seating for 2,500.
(Actual cost to build was $380,149.06 ($7,230,735 in 2026).
The initial vote count, while close, indicated voter approval. A legal challenge ensued which was finally settled on May 7, 1963 when the Supreme Court of Iowa ruled in favor of the Farragut Community School District. A total of 752 ballots were certified of which 455 (60.5%) were in favor and 297 (39.5%) disapproved. Approval required 60% of the total vote count (452). Bonds for the construction were sold on July 9, 1963.
Construction activity was underway for the new addition when the school year began in August 1963. This would indicate that communication and coordination between the school administration and the contractors had continued while the legal challenge worked its way through the courts.
When the school year began in 1964, grades 9-12 (197 students) occupied the newly constructed facilities and the student population on the 3rd floor was:
8th – 51
7th – 39
6th – 37
5th - 34
_____
161
As a member of the 5th grade class in August 1963, it was a “big deal” to be elevated to the 3rd floor and to be welcomed by Mrs. Warner. Looking back on the experience, the teachers did a magnificent job of managing an environment that had the potential to be chaotic and unproductive. I don’t recall any incidents with the high school students.
As a 6th grader in August 1964, with the absence of 197 high school students on the 3rd floor we had room to spare and the new “big deal” was the opportunity to visit the new concourse and gymnasium.