Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Nevada School Celebrates 10 Years (cont) (cont) (cont) (cont)

rict, because it was at a central location; they argued that Prescott busses would have to drive to the Rosston area, which is completely surrounded by the Nevada District.

Another point argued by the group was the district-wide election instead of the 'ward' concept. Each board member was elected district-wide it was argued, while the member was to be selected from one of the former areas.

The County Board of Education assured the group that Rosston would become a part of the new district, and that everything was moving in the right direction for the children to receive a good education. All points of the group were not met by the Board.

Nevada Makes Offer On Old Rosston District

On April 10, 1986, the Nevada District agreed to make an offer of $75,000 for the old Rosston School District. The money would go to the Prescott District to compensate it for the loss of revenues from the old Rosston District.

Although the Prescott District accepted the proposal from Nevada, it decided to let the patrons decide whether to release the former Rosston District. The County Board of Education had gone on record of saying that since the millage had been passed to build the school, Rosston should become a part of the new district. A special election was set for May 13 to place the question to the patrons. The County Board of Education set the election.

All boards agreed that a district-wide vote would be better in the long run.

Voters Approve Release

When the votes had been counted on the eve of May 13, patrons in the Prescott District overwhelmingly approved the release of Rosston by a 98 percent margin. The vote was 355 for and only 11 against.

The former Rosston School District had been a part of the Prescott District since 1953.

Even though the Rosston District was released, an agreement was reached that would permit any student from that area to continue their education in Prescott if they desired to do so. The payment of $75,000 would cover Rosston's portion of what was owed on indebtedness. The Prescott District planned to put the money in CD's until it was needed.

In a special meeting the following week, the County Board of Education approved the vote and release of Rosston, and the land was turned over the Nevada District. It was estimated that the deal, because of the higher millage rate in the district, would increase the revenues over $25,000 annually.

Meanwhile, Dillard and Cross had been honored at Rosston for their part in helping form the new district as well as their efforts in securing the release from Prescott.

Bush Construction Bid Accepted By Board

On August 5, the Nevada School board accepted the bid from Bush Construction Co. of Hot Springs to construct the school. The bid was for just over 3.2 million dollars for the main building.

Construction was begun on the ground the following week, before the contract was ever signed.

Officially, however, ground was not broken until Friday, August 22, by the five board members.

Dr. Woolbright Resigns

In 1987, as construction progressed slowly at the site, more and more patrons began to complain about almost anything and everything at the board meetings. Dr. Woolbright received his share of criticism.

He informed the board that he would not seek another contract as superintendent of the district. It had been hoped by the board that he would stay to see the job finished. He later admitted privately that he wished he had stayed.

The board hired Floyd Wood on a one year contract to become the superintendent. However, they kept Woolbright on the payroll as a consultant. His job, now and then, was to keep an eye on the construction.

Hopes that the district could get into the new building at mid-term soon disappeared as time approached. It was not possible to arrange the classrooms, coordinate students in each grade and do other things that were needed in the short period of time. As it turned out, the building was not ready.

Administration Moves

However, the administration offices were moved. Wood, the bookkeeper and his secretary moved into the new building early in 1988. Board meetings were begun in the building after the carpet was laid.

By February, the board had decided not to renew the contract of Wood, feeling he was spending too much time out of the district. A search was begun for a new superintendent. The board, which had been in contact with Dr. Woolbright, agreed to hire him again for the position.

However, a show of force was at the meeting, complaining that they did not want Woolbright back. At the next meeting Benton read a letter from Dr. Woolbright to the large audience. He stated that as much admiration he had for the people and the district, he could not accept the job.

The board hired in his place, Dr. Barney Kyzar, who had been directing the school in its opening. He came to work one month earlier than his contract called for to begin the labor of coordinating everything. The board had already hired principals for the elementary and secondary grades. Mrs. Natalie Sherwood and Kenneth Muldrow filled those positions respectively.

Working through the city of Rosston, Dr. Kyzar applied for a grant that could eventually make a great impact on the athletic facilities of the school and the community. The district plans to construct a playground that will be professionally planned; it intends to begin preparation for the baseball/softball/T-ball field; and possibly the track and football fields as well, with the grant.

Dr. Kyzar and the board planned an open house August 25, the week before school was to open. All students, parents and other patrons and visitors were invited to tour the new facilities. While at the school parents could go over the bus routes with officials. The districts has 15 bus routes.

Approximately 2,000 people showed up for the event, which went two hours over the 8 p.m. schedule. Many think the open house help mold parents together for the beginning of school. There was a closeness of feeling toward everyone.

Volunteers and paid workers alike had worked together during the summer to the school ready for opening day August 29.

Everything must have worked right. Opening day of school went off with hardly any trouble at all. When that day came, Dr. Kyzar had volunteer workers, along with the elementary counselor, to greet each elementary student at the bus and show the students to the classrooms.