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A Brief History of Schuylerville Schools
by
Thomas N. Wood, III
Historian, Town of Saratoga
A school reflects the pride of a community in itself and its belief in and commitment to its children and their future. The residents of the Village of Schuylerville and the Schuylerville Central School District have always had this pride and belief in their future. Over the past several years our town and village has seen many changes in its schools.
The first schools in Schuylerville, formerly Saratoga, date back to the late 1700's and were originally located in churches. In 1796 The Town of Saratoga appointed its first school commissioners. By the early 1800's there were 12 different school districts within the town.
The first school house in Schuylerville was located just east of Broad Street on what is now Spring Street extension. When the village outgrew the capacity of its one room school house, it was decided to have two districts within the Village of Schuylerville, The North District and the South District. Two new buildings were erected. The North school house was located at 107 Pearl street and was later transformed into a dwelling by the Robert Funston family. This house has since burned. The South school house was located on Green Street. The South School was used for the primary grades and the North School was used as the high school.
In 1839 an academy was built on Church Street next to the location of the present village library. It continued to function until the fall of 1867 when it burned and was never rebuilt.
In 1876 the Union Free School was built at a cost of $15,000. on University Place at the corner of Green Street and University Street. It was a 68 feet by 72 feet four story building with an auditorium on the top floor, a large study hall on the third floor, and classrooms and a library on the first two floors. It was steam heated, had over 1000 volumes in it's library, two pianos, and $400. worth of physical and chemical equipment. It accommodated about 350 students each year until it closed in 1926. It served as a time as a glove factory and woodworking shop before being torn down in 1934.
In 1925-26 a new school was built at the northwest corner of broad street and spring street for approximately $225,000.. The site of this school was the campground of the British army during the fall of 1777 and was also the site of the Continental barracks where general Stark tried and condemned the Tory Lovelass as a spy. An old historic house once occupied by General Stark was moved from this location to Pearl Street by Milton J. Larmon House movers before the new school could be built. The new school was completed and occupied for the first time in the 1926-27 school year and originally served students in grades one through twelve. Charles C. Allen, The Postmaster of the Schuylerville Postoffice suffered a fatal heart attack and died on the stage during an assembly on May 9, 1929. The students were all sent home and the school was closed for the balance of the day. In the summer of 1938 an addition was built on the school to serve the Industrial Arts classes and a second addition was built in 1947.
The formation of the Schuylerville Central School District began in 1946 under the leadership of F. Donald Myers and John D. Ryan, District principal
In 1953 construction was started on the new Jr-Sr high school building. This school cost $1,150,000. and was dedicated on November 20th, 1955. An eight room addition was built on this building in 1960. In 1963 an Agricultural building was built to provide space for a growing program.
In 1965 construction on the new elementary school was started. and was completed in 1966 at a cost of $1,311,560. This 45,500 square feet building was dedicated on November 20th 1966.
In the Spring of 1990 construction was started on additions and renovations to both the elementary and Jr-Sr high schools. The additions cost $13,500,000. and were dedicated on January 5, 1992.
The middle or corner school has held many memories for the thousands of students, teachers, and parents of the district. The school has served us well. Several items of historical significance have been removed from the middle school and placed in the new additions. Some of these include:
The 500 pound, 30 inch high bell which was manufactured in West Troy, NY by Meneely & Co in 1893 has been installed in the elementary school courtyard. This bell originally was hung on the Union Free school on University Street.
The oak wooden bench, ( or naughty bench as it is often called) from the middle school hall has been moved to the hall in the elementary building.
The "Serving our Country" plaque honoring those students who served in the armed services during the 1930's and 1940's has been moved to the American Legion Building. This has since been destroyed in the fire which burned this building down.
The old clock from the principal's office has been moved to the elementary school and the picture of George Washington which hung over the doorway has been moved to the elementary principal's office.
The names and initials of many former students such as Joe Canzari are still inscribed on the blackboards. Countless hours of teaching were put in by such teachers as Miss Myers, Miss Cooney, Miss Bovin, and Damaris Weed to name a few.
Change is a constant part of life. Over the past several years this change has been reflected in the building and upgrading of our schools. The current building and renovation projects are a part of an ongoing process which reflects our belief in the future and our desire to provide our children with the best possible education.
I would like to conclude with a poem which appeared in the 1940 Schuyler and was written by Donald A. Young, a member of the class of 1940.
" Tho these walls be worn
and the floors be trampled bare;
The spirit has been born,
and will always linger there."
Originally delivered January 5, 1992 at the dedication ceremony for the additions and renovations to the Schuylerville Elementary and Jr-Sr High Schools by Thomas N. Wood, III
School Districts in the Town of Saratoga in 1888
by
Thomas N. Wood, Historian
District # District Name School Location
1 Schuylerville University Street
2 Wagman's Ridge Corner of Wagman's Ridge and
( S H #2 ) Southard Road
3 Grangerville DeGarmo Road in Grangerville
( S H #7 )
4 Victory Mills Pine Street in Victory Mills
( S H #4 )
5 Quaker Meeting House NYS Route 32 and County Road 71
( S H # 13 )
6 Coveville County Road 69 in Coveville
( S H #6 )
7 Quaker Springs State Rt 32 and Ruckytick Rd in Quaker Springs
( S H #7 )
8 Cramers Corners NYS Rt 32 and County Road 68
( S H #8 )
9 Deans Corners County Road 70 and County Road 67
( S H #9 )
10 Myers Corners County Road 70 and County Road 71
( S H # 11 )
11 Perkins Casey Road and Russell Road
( S H # 11 )
12 Fitch Fitch Road
3 Bryant's Bridge NYS Route 29 and Bryant's Bridge Road
( S H #3 )
Source of Information: Hazel Farrell 1978 since deceased
Topographical Atlas of Saratoga County 1866
Compiled by Thomas N. Wood