HISTORY OF EDUCATION IN PASCO COUNTY
Other Schools
Some pictures of schools are on the West Pasco pictures page and the East Pasco pictures page.This page was last revised on Dec. 30, 2008.
ALLIANCE SCHOOL
School board minutes of July 3, 1899, have: “The patrons of Alliance School filed a petition asking the appointment of the teacher elected by the patrons. No action was taken in the matter as the school was discontinued.”
ARGO SCHOOL/ARIPEKA SCHOOL
The Gulf Key post office was established on Oct. 9, 1883. It was renamed Argo on Nov. 12, 1886, and renamed Gulf Key on Dec. 24, 1892. On Feb. 11, 1895, the Aripeka post office was established and on Jan. 6, 1896, the Gulf Key post office was discontinued.The 1886-87 Florida State Gazetteer shows Miss Dora Agincourt as the teacher at Gulf Key.
On Dec. 3, 1888, school board minutes show Argo School No. 33 with 19 students enrolled and an average attendance of 9.5.
On Aug. 8, 1889, school board minutes show J. G. Guthrie as the teacher at Argo School, No. 33.
A deed dated Sept. 28, 1889, transferred property in S6 T24 R17 from J. H. Pinkerton and Annie E. Pinkerton to the school board.
On July 7, 1892, school board minutes show Argo School No. 8.
On Aug. 7, 1893, school board minutes show G. W. C. Littell as the teacher at Argo School, No. 33.
A 1915-1916 directory of schools shows Miss Pearl Reid as the teacher at the Aripeka school, which is shown in Hernando County.
School board minutes of Mar. 24, 1916, refer to a school at Aripeka: “Superintendent reported on matter of Aripeka school, and upon motion duly seconded, Board granted appropriation of $100.”
School board minutes of May 1, 1922, indicate that Harvey and Cobb of Aripeka offered to furnish lumber for a school in return for tuition for county line pupils. Minutes of Aug. 21, 1922, indicate the board agreed to pay its pro-rata share for conducting a school at Aripeka.
Apparently, an Aripeka school was closed by the Hernando County school board during World War II, and students were bused to a Pasco County school.
BAYONET POINT JUNIOR HIGH/BAYONET POINT MIDDLE SCHOOL
This school began with its students attending in the Gulf Junior High School
building in the afternoon session. The new Bayonet Point Junior High School
building opened on March 10, 1975, allowing both schools to end double sessions.
The school was built in a joint contract with Hudson High School, which
had an identical design, and was one of eight new schools that were
built from the proceeds of a $16-million bond issue approved by
Pasco County voters in September 1972. The principal at the time
of the opening of the new building was Gordon Tucker.
The school was designed for a maximum capacity of 1200 students but opened with
1307 students. Tucker said that the school would not be overcrowded as long
as the county used the 45-15 year round school program because no more than 1100
students would be in school at any time.
BETHLEHEM SCHOOL/BEE TREE POND SCHOOL
Bee Tree Pond School appears in an 1885-86 list of Hernando County schools.A deed shows that Randall Rewis transferred property in S35 T26 R17 to the school board on Feb. 15, 1886. The school was located near the intersection of Hudson Ave. and Hays Road, near the old town of Sagano.
School board minutes of Aug. 6, 1888, have: “The petition of [illegible] J. H. Dicks and others of the Bethlehem School was read and duly considered. The Board would advise that the Bethlehem and Vereen Schools unite by moving one or the other of the school houses to a location more central and convenient for both neighborhoods in order that one good school be established instead of two weak ones.”
School board minutes of Sept. 3, 1888, show the board decided to close the Bethlehem School, as it appeared patrons were willing to attend the Vereen School instead. Minutes of Oct. 1, 1888, show that the trustees of the Bethlehem School presented petitions requesting that the school be reopened. The board decided that the school superintendent should visit the area and make a decision.
School board minutes of May 6, 1889, have: “The next matter under consideration was a petition from the Bee-Tree School signed by W. J. (?) Hilliard (?) (trustee), D. Keen, S. F. (?) Douglas (?), E. Frierson, M. H. Hurst, Jane Ruis, and Green Goodman, asking that an appropriation be made to cover cost of a bill of lumber to be used for the purpose of erecting a new school-house, and also asking that the present school site be retained. The matter was laid over under the rules.” School board minutes of June 3, 1889, have: “The matter of the Bee Tree School was taken up after discussion was tabled until further information could be obtained relating to the matter.”
School board minutes of Aug. 7, 1893, show J. H. Ryals recommended as supervisor of the Bee Tree Pond School. (Bee Tree Pond is located near the intersection of Hudson Ave. and Hays Road; presumably these are the same school with different names.)
BLANTON SCHOOL
On Oct. 6, 1884, the Hernando County School Board approved a request by the trustees of the Spring Valley School to change the location and name of the school to Blanton. [The Spring Valley School was in operation by 1879, although it apparently did not operate continuously.]According to information provided by Lora Blocker on the Blanton Town web site, the first Blanton school, built in 1884, was located east of Blanton Lake. It was the first school built with lumber in Hernando County. The 1886-87 Florida State Gazetteer shows R. M. Ray as the teacher.
School board minutes of Sept. 5, 1887, show Blanton School, no. 7, with trustees James R. O'Berry, W. N. Dowling, and Jno. O'Berry.
School board minutes of Dec. 3, 1888, show Blanton School, no. 7, with a total enrollment of 50 pupils and an average attendance of 30.
Some of the first teachers were: Mrs. Minerva Murphy, Charles Copenhaver, Blackburn Wray, and Mrs. Edmund Blocker. Edmond O'Berry was the substitute teacher.
School board minutes show Cooper Stanley appointed the teacher on July 1, 1901, Alna Gregg appointed on Aug. 6, 1903, Ida Govereau appointed in Aug. 1904.
School board minutes of July 3, 1905, show that the board agreed to sell the Blanton School, and on Sept. 4, 1905, the minutes show that the schoolhouse was sold for $36.
According to the Blanton web site, in 1905 a large two-story school was built on land donated by John O'Berry on what is now Sweetwater Road. Mr. O'Hara was its first teacher. He later returned to Blanton and lived with his family teaching there until about 1922. During that time Mrs. Buck served as primary teacher.
School board minutes of Oct. 8, 1907, show that the school board insured the Blanton School.
A 1915-16 directory shows Miss Eugenia Shumate as the teacher at the Blanton School, with 29 students enrolled.
On Apr. 8, 1927, the Dade City Banner reported that Miss Mary Lou St. Clair was appointed teacher of the Primary Department of the Blanton school to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mrs. Prudence Getty.
School board minutes show these teacher appointments: Miss Mattie Lou Mayo on July 5, 1921; H. A. Hammer on June 16, 1926; H. A. Hammer and Mrs. Lula Hancock on July 2, 1928; Mrs. Lula Hancock on July 3, 1930; Louise O'Neal on Aug. 31, 1931; Mrs. Freida Eiland on June 4, 1934; Mrs. Louise Blocker (as music teacher) on Dec. 21, 1936; Maude O'Berry on Aug. 2, 1937; Vera Goodwin on July 5, 1938; Myra O'Berry on June 7, 1943; Cora Mickler on Aug. 16, 1943.
On Aug. 17, 1944, the school board voted to discontinue the Blanton School. According to the Blanton web site, the school building was torn down due to decay around 1963.
BRUSHY BRANCH
Brushy Branch is shown in a list of Hernando County schools in operation in 1877-78, with E. S. Benson the teacher. The trustees were J. W. Jackson, Jno. W. Platt, and W. S. Holton. [An article has J. S. Jackson.]
CALUSA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Calusa Elementary School is located at 7520 Orchid Lake Road in New Port Richey, near Ridgewood High School and Marchman
Technical Education Center.
At its meeting on May 15, 1979, the Pasco County School Board voted 3-2 to name the school Calusa Elementary School. Board member Agnes Deal picked the name from more than 200 suggestions made by students who would be attending the school. The name was proposed by Mindy Anderson, a sixth-grader at Anclote Elementary School. After board members were informed by a teacher that the Calusa Indians did not live here, several members expressed second thoughts about the name, but Mrs. Deal said, “Surely they wandered up here at some time or another.”
Principals of Calusa Elementary School are:
Sara Best (Hollander),
Patty Smith,
Marti Meacher (1978-1981),
Richard Tauber (1981-1991), Henry "Chip" Wichmanowski (1991-1997), Deborah N. Minshew (1997-2000),
Christopher Dunning (2000-2003), and DeAnna DeCubellis (2003- ).
CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Centennial Elementary opened in October 1987, a few months after the school year began. Students briefly attended the old Moore Mickens Middle School in Dade City at the start of the school year. The school was named Centennial Elementary because it opened on the 100th anniversary of the founding of Pasco County.
| 1987-1989 | Sandra Ramos |
| 1989-1997 | Susan Rine |
| 1997-2004 | Charles R. Rine |
| 2004- | Scott Mitchell |
CHASCO ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS
These two schools are located on the same site on Ridge Road in Port Richey. They were
officially named by the school board by a 5-0 vote on March 7, 2000.
Chasco Elementary School opened in August 2000. The first principal was Dr. John Mann. In 2007 Delores Gauvey became the principal.
Chasco Middle School opened in August 2001. The first principal was Lawrence Albano. In 2007 Christine Wolff became the principal.
The two schools share a gymnasium. There are separate cafeterias for the two schools,
although cafeteria workers prepare lunches for both schools in the same kitchen.
CHESTER W. TAYLOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
| 1997-2002 | Frances B. McCrimmon |
| 2002-2005 | David Scanga |
| 2005- | Eva Hunsberger |
CHILDERS
School board minutes of July 1, 1893, have: “On motion a school was established two and one half miles S. E. of School #22 - as the children in that section can reach no school. H. D. Ryals appointed supervisor. Name - Childers School #12.” [#22 was apparently New River.]An early map shows the Childers School about a mile west of Bramlett, which was located just southeast of Zephyrhills. According to a source, Childers was an earlier name for Bramlett.
CLAY SINK (RIVERLAND/SLAUGHTER)
A historic marker here reads:Harrison and Martha Ann McKinney Slaughter acquired 120 acres in this area from Jesse Sumner May 20, 1862. The settlement that developed here was first called Slaughter after this pioneer family. Over time it became know as Clay Sink, after the clay sinkhole that is in the area. This cemetery was established on this hill of moss-draped oaks in 1873 when the Slaughters buried their infant daughter here. It is now maintained in perpetuity by the Clay Sink Cemetery Association Inc. On Feb. 19, 1897, the Clay Sink Missionary Baptist Church was organized with 21 members, with Elder G. A. Bryant, moderator. In 1904 a wood-framed building was erected on this site and served the congregation until the present pine building was constructed in 1956. The one-room Slaughter/Clay Sink school building was built in 1912 on Cobb Slough and moved in 1915 to this site that was donated by William Henry and Joanna Slaughter Boyett. It became the fellowship hall for the church in 1943 when the school closed due to consolidation. The teacher's raised platform remained a part of the structure. Some of the early settlers who were charter members of the church were Slaughters, Sumners, Boyetts, Sapps, Robbins, McKinneys, Hardins, Mobleys, Gays, and Weeks. Descendants of these families still live in the area.
A deed shows that Harrison Slaughter transferred property in S24 T23 R22 to the Hernando County School Board on Oct. 3, 1885.
School board minutes of Oct. 3, 1887, have: “Mr. Harrison Slaughter appeared in behalf of the patrons of Riverland School No. 30 regarding the appointment as trustees for their School [illegible] H. Slaughter and Chas Bryant. Upon motion their petition was granted. The trustees of said school recommended Mr. S. R. A. Kemp to teach the School. Upon motion the formality of an examination was waived and Mr. Kemp was appointed to teach the school under a 2nd class certificate.”
A 2005 St. Petersburg Times article has: “[Vera Boyett] gathered documents about the church that go back to 1862 and found one showing that her husband's grandfather, Harrison Slaughter, purchased the Clay Sink property. In 1885, Slaughter donated a few acres to Hernando County for a church and school. Pasco didn't exist yet. Slaughter School was a two-teacher schoolhouse and, after 1887, Pasco's first voting district. The cemetery dates to 1873, when Slaughter's infant daughter was buried in the first grave. Three Civil War veterans are buried there, along with six generations of Slaughter descendants.”
A St. Petersburg Times article on Feb. 23, 2005, has: "Pasco County commissioners voted Tuesday to add the Clay Sink Baptist Church, school building and cemetery to the county's register of historic resources. The property is on 2 acres in the Withlacoochee State Forest near the Hernando County line. The school building, now a church fellowship hall, was built in 1912 and served as the county's first voting precinct. The cemetery is a private graveyard, bearing the graves of about 500 people from the area's pioneer families.”
CLAY SINK (CENTRAL PASCO COUNTY)
School board minutes of Sept. 5, 1887, show Clay Sink School (No. 5) utilizing the Twin Lakes post office. A 1915-1916 directory shows a Clay Sink School utilizing the Pasco post office. A local researcher believes this school may have been located in the area of Hancock Lake. A recently-drawn map shows the school in S14 T24 R19.At the school board meeting of July 3-5, 1916, Mrs. H. B. Hope was appointed teacher at Clay Sink.
CLEAR LAKE SCHOOL
Isaac Washington Hudson Jr. (1870-1972) recalled in an interview that he attended school at Clear Lake, living with the J. L. Portner family. He recalled the log house where school was held three months of the year. His teacher was a Mr. Benson.Webb's Historical, Industrial and Biographical Florida (1885) refers to a Clear Lake High School in San Antonio, Robert O. Carter, principal. The same directory lists Clear Lake as one of three academies in Fort Dade and implies Dr. Pringle is the teacher.
A deed indicates W. L. Mobley transferred property in S6 T25 R21 to the trustees of Clear Lake School on July 13, 1886.
The Florida State Gazetteer and Business Directory for 1886-87 lists Charles A. Preston as a high school teacher in San Antonio, although it does not name the school.
School board minutes of Oct. 3, 1887, have: “Mr. M. B. Weaver appeared in behalf of the patrons of Clear Lake School preferring charges against B. L. Ray as trustee of said school for allowing his religious prejudices [illegible] in the discharge of his public and official acts.” The charges were later dropped after Ray resigned as trustee of the school.
The school board minutes of Nov. 6, 1893, have: “On motion the Supt. was instructed to draw a deed conveying to W. L. Mobley the site of Clear Lake school No. 14 - said school having been discontinued.”
COOTIE SCHOOL/COOTIE RIVER SCHOOL
In 1887, school board minutes referred to a Cootie School. The school was named for the Pithlachascotee River, often
called the Cootie or Cotee River. The school was probably located east of what would become New Port Richey.
School board minutes of May 7, 1888, have: “The action of the Supt. in establishing the Schools at Cootie and at Argo
was endorsed.”
School board minutes of Aug. 4, 1908, reported that on motion the Board granted a special school for the term “on
Cootie River.” School board minutes of Aug. 2, 1909, show Della White was appointed the teacher.
In June 1913 school board minutes show Cephas Geiger as the teacher at the Cootie School.
A 1915-16 directory shows Harold Stephenson as the teacher at the Cootie River School, which had 11 students.
Pupil rosters indicate that the teachers at the Cootie School included:
Flora Williams, 1912-1913;
R. E. Hatch, 1914-1915;
Bessie Godwin, 1920-1921;
Ellen Heath, 1921-1922;
Katie St. Clair, 1922-1923.
COTEE RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Cotee River Elementary School at 7515 Plathe Road in New Port Richey opened at the beginning of the 1994-95 school year. A majority of the students and teachers transferred from Richey Elementary School.In 2007, the school's library was named the Joan F. Palma Media Center, in honor of the first principal, who had died earlier in the year.
| 1994-1997 | Joan Palma |
| 1997-2005 | Carole Baird |
| 2005-2007 | Hope Schooler |
| 2007- | Barbara Kleinsorge |
CRYSTAL SPRINGS SCHOOL
On Sept. 4, 1936, the Dade City Banner reported that Ivan B. Whitehead was appointed to teach at the Crystal Springs School.
DADE CITY ELEMENTARY, GRADES 5 - 6 - 7
Dade City Elementary School closed at the end of the 1954-55 school year. It was replaced by the new Pasco Elementary School.Principals
1951-55 Joe B. Benson
DENHAM OAKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
| 1995-1997 | Ruth T. Biggs |
| 1997-1999 | Carole Geibel |
| 1999-2006 | Freda Malphurs |
| 2006-2007 | Nancy D. Waters |
| 2007- | Mardee Kay Powers |
DREXEL
MacManus has: “In the early days, there was a school near the railroad crossing, but it was later moved to a site on what is now U. S. 41. Most of the people settled east toward the road that became U. S. 41.”
EAST ZEPHYRHILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
According to Madonna Wise, in 1959 Thomas McCree became Principal.School board minutes of Apr. 11, 1961, and Apr. 10, 1962, show Charles A. Henderson appointed Principal.
School board minutes of April 24, 1963, show Ferd Renninger appointed Principal. He was Principal until 1967, according to Madonna Wise.
The 1973-74 personnel directory shows James B. Walker was the Principal.
EHREN SCHOOL (WHITE)
MacManus has: “Traveling down Ehren Cemetery Road, before actually arriving at the cemetery,
one would pass a one-room school house. The pupils were reported to be a wild lot. One male teacher
brought his pistol to school every day. Predictably, he did not have discipline problems! The Census lists Edward Little
as the teacher, but he was not the one who 'packed the pistol.'"
MacManus has: “White children attended Ehren School, located on Cemetery Road, halfway between Ehren Cutoff Road and the cemetery. In the early 1900s, the school burned and another was built on the same location. In 1939 it was moved to a spot along U. S. 41.”
School board minutes of Sept. 1, 1902, have: “The patrons of Ehren School filed a petition showing that a large majority of the children of said school resided in New Ehren and asked that the school be removed from Old Ehren to that point. As the present school building is reasonably suited for a school house and as the patrons did not offer a suitable building free of cost to the Board, the request was refused.”
A deed dated May 16, 1913, transferred property in S31 T25 R19 from Fannie C. Griffin and her husband to the school board.
A 1927 map shows the Ehren school in the SE ¼ of the NE ¼ of Section 31.
[The photo is from MacManus. The caption
for the photo reads: "John Hodges Douglas drove this Ehren School bus, 1932.”]
EHREN SCHOOL (BLACK)
MacManus has: “A school for Ehren's black children was located on Cemetery Road. Rev. and Mrs. Byrl Dawkins and the Bowen, Marshall, and Will Brown families all sent their kids to the school. Ola Mae Dawkins McClendon remembers being taught by Claudia Lewis, a lovely black woman who lived near Odessa but spent the week in Ehren during the school year.”School board minutes of Jan. 7, 1901, have: “A petition was filed by the colored people of Ehren, stating that there were in that district twenty one children with the school age and asking the Board to grant a special colored school at Ehren. On motion the School was granted. On motion B. H. McMorris was appointed to teach in Colored School No. 3 and Geo Members was appointed the supervisor.”
School board minutes of Jan. 5, 1903, have: “Colored citizens of Ehren filed a petition asking the Board to grant a colored school at Ehren; Request was refused, as the Board had not made an estimate for a colored school at said point.”
School board minutes of March 21, 1907, have: “The patrons of colored school at Ehren petitioned board for an assistant teacher. As the school had 61 children the board granted the request and assigned J. D. Moore assistant teacher for the unexpired (?) term, provided the attendance holds up well.”
A deed dated Sept. 24, 1927, transferred property in S29 T25 R19 from trustees Frank Phillips and L. G. Bowers to the school board. According to Jeff Cannon, who provided the deed, this was the Ehren Colored School, and it was sold to George Reigler on Apr. 28, 1953.
EILAND
McCormick has "Daniel Eisland at home" in a list of early schools in the Blanton area.
ELLERSLIE
An 1883-84 list of Hernando County schools shows teacher Miss Belle Meacham and trustees J. G. Wallace and P. R. Weaver.The Fort Dade Messenger of July 11, 1884, carries an advertisement: “Ellerslie Academy! This school opens its next term on the 1st day of Oct. The usual english branches taught. Tuition thorough. Terms very moderate. Vocal Music, (with instrumental accompaniment), taught without extra charge. Board can be had in less than a half mile of Academy building, by those who come from abroad. J. G. Wallace, Pres. Bd. Trustees.”
The 1886-87 Florida State Gazetteer indicates Ellerslie has a school and shows Mrs. L. D. Austin as a teacher.
Ellerslie is shown as school No. 1 in the minutes of Nov. 7, 1887.
A deed dated Jan. 25, 1889, shows a two-acre lot in the town of Ellerslie sold by Industrial Machine Works of Duval County to the Pasco County School Board for $74. The location was S12 T25 R21.
At the school board meeting of July 3-5, 1916, Mrs. E. D. Dodson was appointed the teacher at Ellerslie.
ELLUSTIE
An 1885 directory shows Ellustie as one of the three academies at Fort Dade. This could be an alternate spelling of Olustee or a misspelling of Ellerslie. It implies that Robert O. Carter, Esq., was the teacher.
EMMAUS
An 1883-84 list of Hernando County schools shows teacher R. E. Bell and trustees J. W. Jackson, G. G. McKendree, and J. S. Glass.Before Pasco County was created, Hernando County school board minutes show that Robert O. Carter appeared before the board and promised to give up intoxicants if the board would give him a school, so they assigned him to teach at the Emmaus School.
In March 1920 the school board members, county superintendent, and attendance officer inspected the schools in western Pasco County. Their notes show: “EMMAUS, attendance small, account sickness. Work in school was good.”
FIVAY SCHOOL
The 1910 census indicates that Henry A. White, age 23, was the teacher for Aripeka Saw Mill.On Apr. 29, 1910, school board minutes show that John A. Brady, W. A. Hayes, and E. J. Carraway were elected trustees for the Fivay District. Minutes of May 1-3, 1916, show that N. D. Eiland, E. J. Carraway, and J. D. Middy were elected as trustees. Minutes of Dec. 2, 1918, show that A. E. Lane was the teacher at Fivay.
The minutes of the school board meeting on Sept. 4-5, 1916, have: “Board authorized trustees of Fivay No. 29 to make arrangements for the schooling of the children of the district either by transportation or otherwise, said expense to be met from the special fund.”
School board minutes of April 1-2, 1918, indicate that the board voted to discontinue the Fivay school at the close of the fifth month on account of attendance as per the request of trustee J. D. Middy.
A deed dated Aug. 16, 1918, transferred property in S6 T25 R17 from N. D. Eiland and his wife to the school board.
A 1927 map shows the Fivay school in the NW ¼ of the NW ¼ of Section 6 (in Range 17). This is approximately a mile north of what is now State Road 52 and about 1½ miles NE of the marked center of the town of Fivay.
On Apr. 29, 1927, the Dade City Banner reported: "The Fivay school, under the able management of Prof. Emmet Jenkins, closed Tuesday noon with a delightful program, followed by a picnic lunch and fish fry on the grounds. Supt. E. B. O'Berry delivered the address to the graduating class composed of Frank Lessig, Charlie Murkle and Miss Catonne (?) Lessig.”
Minutes of July 6, 1931, show that Mrs. Della M. Gay was appointed the teacher at Fivay.
On Sept. 4, 1936, the Dade City Banner reported that Mrs. Beatrice Stanley was appointed teacher of the Fivay School.
FIVAY JUNCTION/TUCKER SCHOOL (WHITE)
Minutes of Dec. 8, 1908, report that the board granted school #2 “at Fivay Junction on Cootie River.”A 1913 roster of pupils shows Leona Sherfey as the teacher at the Tucker School.
A 1914 roster of pupils shows Sophie Elslander as the teacher at the Tucker School.
A deed dated Dec. 16, 1914, conveyed property in S8 T25 R18 from the Aripeka Saw Mills Co. to the school board for one dollar.
At the school board meeting of July 3-5, 1916, Chas Mikel was appointed teacher at Tucker.
In March 1920 the school board members, county superintendent, and attendance officer inspected the schools in western Pasco County. Their notes show: “TUCKER, attendance small on account of measles and influenza in community. Work progressing nicely. Board took note of needed repairs on steps of building, toilets and blinds, also took note of the well being incomplete (no water in yard). Board provided for waterby having man to fix well.”
On May 7, 1926, the Zephyrhills News mentioned Gladys Hood as the 24-year-old school teacher of Fivay Junction.
A 1927 map shows the Tucker school in the NE ¼ of the NE ¼ of Section 8, about ½ mile north of Fivay Junction, the crossing of the Tampa Northern Railroad (later Seaboard Airline Railroad) with Cross County Road (now State Road 52). The school was west of the Tampa Northern railroad tracks.
MacManus has: “Tucker School was also used as a church. When the school burned, it was rebuilt on the southwest corner of the Gower's Corners, at the present-day intersection of U. S. 41 and S. R. 52. Among those attending the old school were Carl Thomas and Roscoe Stafford. At different times Tucker and Greenfield merged churches, schools, and post offices.”
On Sept. 4, 1936, the Dade City Banner reported that Miss Mittye Pierce was appointed teacher at the Tucker School.
The school building is believed to have been moved to Dade City, where it was used as a church.
FIVAY JUNCTION/TUCKER SCHOOL (BLACK)
School board minutes of Dec. 2-3, 1918, show Julia V. Lennox was paid for services as the teacher at the Tucker colored school.On Nov. 30, 1934, the Dade City Banner reported that Mr. Hill was authorized to set up a colored school at Fivay Junction at the school board meeting of Nov. 5.
School board minutes of Aug. 5, 1935, show that Mr. Tom Hill was authorized to arrange facilities for colored pupils at Fivay.
In the early 1940s records show Bessie Barefield as the teacher at the Fivay colored school.
FLAT FORD
School board minutes of Sept. 3, 1894, have: “On motion a colored school was granted to be taught at Flat Ford and T. L. Scriven was appointed supervisor.” A local researcher believes this community may have been a few miles from Lumberton. The name of the Pedrick Post Office was changed to Flat Ford on April 26, 1892. The post office was discontinued on July 6, 1896, with service continuing from Richland.
FLOYD ACADEMY
Floyd Academy was a four-room black school located at Moss Town, near Lacoochee.A 2007 Tampa Tribune article by Imani Asukile reported:
A school for blacks existed in Cummer and Sons Sawmill Housing Quarter, but the Rev. William E. Floyd wanted a better school. A school was established a stone's throw from the tracks and named in his honor, according to Theresa Pressley, a Lacoochee native, and Issac Whitter, a graduate of Floyd Academy. ... Vera Lucas Goodwin, a member of one of Dade City's oldest black families, served as principal for 22 of the 23 years the school was open. She was also the school's musician and penmanship teacher. You can tell she had formal training from the commencement's musical repertoire, which was truly American. If you didn't know Floyd Academy was a black school, you would never know from any activity listed on the program. Goodwin and her staff were preparing students for life. I can see traces of a diverse education in the program. Instead of the Negro spirituals - songs composed by slaves, often based on Biblical themes - the program is replete with European music composed by greats such as Franz Schubert and Carl Orff. The program has a liturgical feel to it and even includes the Sanctus, an ancient hymn sung in Latin.
The famous baseball player Jim “Mudcat” Grant, who was born in Lacoochee in 1935, attended elementary school in a converted row house in Lacoochee and later attended Floyd Academy. In his book The Black Aces, Grant wrote about Vera Goodwin: “She never let the threadbare, impoverished conditions in our small schoolhouse dampen her passion for education or her passionate and loving drive to see her students learn and flourish. ... She was the one who identified and fostered my ability to sing and perform. ... She gave me my first record, a recording of Johann Strauss, and then gave me albums by Eddy Arnold and by John Lee Hooker.”
In Asukile's article, Issac Whitter recalled a teacher named Etta Burks.
Floyd Academy closed on August 4, 1970.
| 1947-64 | Vera L. Goodwin |
| 1964-65 | Littleton Long |
| 1965-70 | Vera Goodwin |
FORT BROOME
Fort Broome was located “out two and a half miles a little southeast of Dade City near a pond just below the E. S. Larkin farm,” according to Hendley.An 1877-78 list of Hernando County schools shows the Fort Broome School operated that year from Oct. 15, 1877, to Jan. 18, 1878. The teacher was Robert J. Marshall. The trustees were J.G. Wallace, Robert Sumner, and Isaac Lanier.
The Sunland Tribune reported on June 19, 1879, that John Raymond was the teacher at the Fort Broom School at Ft. Dade. It reported that he today closed his first session with by giving a public examination which was opened with a prayer by Parson Barns. To contribute to the occasion, patrons and friends furnished a fish fry picnic dinner.
FOX HOLLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Fox Hollow Elementary School, at 8309 Fox Hollow Drive, Port Richey, opened at the start of the 1991-92 school year.
Two other schools opened at that time—River Ridge Middle/High and Thomas E. Weightman Middle School.
When Fox Hollow opened, Pasco County schools moved sixth grade students from elementary to middle schools. The first
principal was Richard Tauber. In 1999 he was succeeded by Arlene Moreno. In 2005 Lisa Miller became the principal.
GILLETT SCHOOL
A 1917-1918 roster of pupils shows Cora Cripe as the teacher at the Gillett School, no. 40.
GREER SCHOOL
The History of Zephyrhills 1821-1921 by Rosemary W. Trottman has:
The Greer School was established at the beginning and some of the county's best teachers taught there. One of the most loved was Miss Fannie Mobley, whose sister Miss Mattie Mobley was tax collector for many years. Later Miss Fannie taught in Dade City grammar school until her retirement. Miss Althea Collins was a favorite of the Greer family. Another was Olive Tucker, sister of Linton Tucker, well known in Zephyrhills. She taught in Greer some years after the smallpox outbreak in which Mattie Bedgood Greer died. She became the second Mrs. J. L. Greer.
According to McCormick, Greer was a sawmill town with a two teacher school. Mr. Martin taught 4 - 5 - 6th grade and his daughter, Vera, taught 1 - 2 - 3rd grade. When Sand Pond closed, the students transferred to Greer.
The following is excerpted from It Took A Lot of Living to Fill Those 90 Years, ©1996 by David I. Cripe:
It was in 1914 that the Cripe children attended the institute of learning known as the Greer School. A Mr. Martin was the Headmaster that year, and his daughter Vera Martin taught the primary grades in the smaller room which was attached to the main structure. Mr. Martin also had a son Laury who attended the school, and the three of them travelled daily from their home in the northern part of Dade City, in a top-buggy propelled by a black horse. During the day, the horse was tied to a tree with a box nailed to it. In the box was some grain to charge up the horse for the trip home in the evening. Really he parked the horse behind the building but if I placed him there in the picture, you would not be able to see him. Mr. Martin wrote with a flourish of beautiful letters and although I tried hard, I could never nearly match it. He was also the first person I had seen with an artificial (or glass) eye as we called it in those days.The road running by the school was a sandy dirt road which wove its way south-westerly through the woods, over the hill, and around a small lake to the small metropolis of Phelps Station. The settlement included the Herndon Post Office and a turpentine still operated by the Powell brothers, also about a dozen houses for employees.
According to information provided to this website by a local researcher, the Greer School was located approximately 5 1/2 miles south of Dade City, on the east side of US 301, near the bottom of the south side of Greer Hill.
The minutes of the school board meeting on Sept. 4-5, 1916, have: “Upon motion of Mr. Roberts seconded by Mr. McKendree, board voted to appoint Miss Miriam Ross as teacher for the Greer school, provided Miss Ruth Davis refuses to accept. Said appointment being made, recognizing the authority of Trustees to nominate elapsed with the appointment of Miss Ruth Davis.”
HARRY SCHWETTMAN EDUCATION CENTER
The Schwettman Education Center opened in August 1993 at 5520
Grand Boulevard, in the building originally occupied by Gulf High School.
The school is for those students who are unable to function
in a normal school environment because of academic or
social difficulties.
Harry William Schwettman was a community activist and founder
of WESPAC, a coalition of homeowners and civic associations.
He was born on Oct. 8, 1896, and died on Dec. 31, 1984. He grew up in Cincinnati and started working at age 13.
He attended night high school and college while working in various departments of the Gruen Watch Co.
The 1930 census shows that he was a production manager, working in watch manufacturing.
Schwettman retired from Gruen after 42 years.
He came to Florida in 1959.
He was named Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1972 by the Greater New Port Richey Chamber of Commerce.
He served on a committee which recommended that
the abandoned old Gulf High School building should be renovated and used as a vocational school.
Earlier, the Schwettman Adult Education Center operated in the same building.
| 1993-1998 | Alan Knight |
| 1998-2003 | Randall Koenigsfeld |
| 2003-2004 | James W. Michaels |
| 2004-2005 | John Letvin |
| 2005- | Mimi Foster |
HEBRON SCHOOL
An 1883-84 list of Hernando County schools shows trutees M. W. Page, N. A. Williams, and A. M. White.School board minutes of Sept. 5, 1887, show Hebron School, no. 2, with trustees M. W. Page, N. A. Williams, and A. M. White. The school was located near Macon (now Trilby) and was apparently conducted at a church having the same name.
HERNANDO COLORED SCHOOL
The list of Pasco County schools from the minutes of Dec. 3, 1888, shows a Hernando Colored School, with an enrollment of 14 black students. The other schools in the list show only white students enrolled. A local researcher believes this school was near the Pasco-Hernando County line near Trilby. He notes that census records before 1900 show the Trilby-Blanton-Spring Lake triangle was the only area in Pasco County with a significant black population.
HUDSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The following is from The Story of Hudson, Florida (1973):During the early 1960's the school population was on the upswing. This was evident to everyone except the educational authorities. A bond issue to build new schools in the western part of the county was defeated because there was no provision in it for a school in Hudson. A revamped proposal, including facilities for this area, was submitted to the voters and passed. Even in the face of this the school people dragged their feet on the local building which had been authorized by the bond referendum, although they immediately began to work on the other schools which were included in the vote. Finally a group of Hudson citizens threatened a suit to stop all building unless Hudson was included. During the 1966-67 term classes were organized for the Hudson school but taught in New Port Richey, pending completion of the building here. There were 199 pupils in the classes which included the first six grades. This was quite a change from the 12 children in the same number of classes only eleven years before. The school opened here the next year with 314 children on the rolls. There were eight classrooms with a normal capacity of 240 pupils. More space was added through the following years, but always the increase in children outstripped the building program. During the latter half of the 1972-73 term, the pupil count reached 1500. Classrooms were still being built and space in the cafeteria and storage rooms was being utilized. All classes were then on double sessions.
David H. Clark Jr. was named Principal of the school when it opened in New Port Richey apparently in the building which is now Schwettman Education Center. In a newspaper interview he recalled that the school started with 180 students. It moved to Hudson, just off U. S. 19, in 1966. He recalled that the enrollment grew to 1620 and the school operated on double sessions before Shady Hills, Schrader, and Northwest Elementary Schools were opened, after which the enrollment dropped to 740.
Arthur F. Engle was principal from 1979 until he died in September 1986, at the beginning of the school year.
More recent principals of Hudson Elementary School are Dalne Dola, Margaret Lewis, John Shafchuk, Kathryn Rushe, and Linda McCarthy.
HUDSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
On March 2, 1982, the school board voted 4-1 to build a new middle school adjacent to Hudson High School. It was projected to serve 1200 puils in the seventh and eighth grades. Construction cost was set at $6.5-million. The school was projected to open in September 1984.
JAMES IRVIN EDUCATIONAL CENTER
James Irvin Center was designed to assist those students who were discipline problems in the other area schools. The school was named for James Irvin (1909-1993). Irvin moved to Dade City from Georgia in 1920. As part of the Dade City business community, Irvin and his brother-in-law founded Main Street Cleaners in 1945. The first black Boy Scout troop in Florida was chartered by Irvin. His dedication to children led him to volunteer as an umpire for the Dade City Little League and raise funds for black schools in Pasco County. Irvin committed his time to the Pasco Public Schools Foundation, the Alliance for Race Relations and the County Historic Society. [Information from a St. Petersburg Times article.]
| 1995-1998 | Linda Montgomery |
| 1998-2004 | Alan Knight |
| 2004-2005 | Jim Davis |
| 2005-2006 | Monica Ilse |
| 2006- | Rick Saylor |
J. W. MITCHELL HIGH SCHOOL
J. W. Mitchell High School opened at the start of the 2000-01 school year, although there was no senior class until
the second year of operation. The school, designed to relieve overcrowding at River Ridge and Gulf High Schools,
was constructed adjacent to Seven Springs Middle School on Little Road.
The school consists of separate buildings originally designed for each of the five learning communities.
From the beginning, classes met according to a modular schedule which allowing longer classes which do not
meet every day. The school is named for James Mitchell, a rancher, community leader and businessman.
His wife Dorothy was first elected to the school board in 1978 and served on the school board for about 20 years.
The first principal was Tina Tiede. She was succeeded in Sept. 2005 by Ric Mellin.
By 2006 the enrollment had increased to the point that 29 portable classrooms were in use.
In the Oct. 1, 2006, newsletter, the Principal reported that enrollment stood at 2,555 students.
KALEN SCHOOL
An 1883-84 list of Hernando County schools indicate that this school was established on Oct. 1, 1882. The teacher was R. S. Pringle and the trustees were Steve Weeks, Harrison Slaughter, and J. E. Mills. This school may have been located in what is now Pasco County.
LACOOCHEE COLORED SCHOOL
In 1950 a state auditor's report on transactions of the Pasco County School Board was critical of the building of a black school in Lacoochee for $40,431. The auditor said the school cost almost twice as much as it should have, and the school was built without requesting bids or letting a contract. The school board released a statement blaming the State Department of Education for requirements for the school which were "extravagant and elaborate.” The statement also said the school had to be built quickly because the owners of the buildings then in use demanded possession of the buildings. Circuit Judge John U. Bird summoned a grand jury panel to convene on July 31 to investigate the auditor's report.
LAKE BUDDY SCHOOL (WHITE)
The 1886-87 Florida State Gazetteer shows Miss Emmit Forbes as the teacher at Earnestville.School board minutes of Sept. 5, 1887, show that a temporary school was granted to be called Buddie Lake School, no. 27.
School board minutes of Oct. 1, 1888, show that "trustees of Buddie Lake School presented a petition asking for thirty (30) dollars to assist them in paying for material used in the construction of their School house.”
A deed dated Sept. 29, 1899, conveyed property for one dollar from John Stewart to "The school trustees of district No. 8, and their successors in office...” The property is described as follows: "One half acre in the southwest corner of the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section fifteen (15) township twenty five (25) South, range twenty one (21) East.” The property was located on the east side of Fort King Road. According to a local researcher, it is on the north or northwest side of Sand Pond, depending on how high the water was at the time. The deed was recorded in 1904.
The significance of this deed is unclear. A local researcher suggests two possibilities: (1) the school might have been built on private land which was later deeded to the trustees in district 8, or (2) there were two different Buddy Lake Schools, in which case the latter one may have been known as the Sand Pond School and would have predated the two schools described in the Sand Pond entry on this page.
McCormick's summary of school board minutes show that Lake Buddy School was discontinued in 1905. This community was later served by the Sand Pond School.
LAKE BUDDY SCHOOL (BLACK)
School board minutes of Sept. 1, 1890, have: “Alex Brandon came before the Board asking that a school for colored children be established on the south side of Lake Buddie. By motion a special school was granted and the sum of $20 per school month granted as salary of the teacher. Alex Brandon who was supervisor of the Dade City Colored School resigned his position and was appointed supervisor of the former school.”School board minutes of June 6, 1892, have: “Alex Brandon (col) came before the Board asking that a special school for colored children be established near Lake Buddie. The Board decided to grant the school and provide a teacher at $20 per school month on condition that the attendance is kept up.”
School board minutes of Oct. 9, 1893, have: “On motion Ben Baisden was appointed Supervisor of col. school No. 12 - vice Alex Brandon deceased. On motion Mrs. E. V. Powell was appointed teacher of said school.”
LAKE MYRTLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Lake Myrtle Elementary School, located at 22844 Weeks Blvd., Land O' Lakes, is one of 34 Florida schools to earn an A from the state every year from 1999 to 2007.
| 1985-2003 | Monica Joiner |
| 2003-2007 | E. John Abernathy |
| 2007- | Kara McComeskey |
LAKEVIEW SCHOOL
In his notes, McCormick has "1924-25 Lakeview School - Mary Briney - teacher.”
LENARD
Minutes of the Hernando County school board meeting of Nov. 3, 1885, show that a school was granted, and the teacher was J. E. Erwin.
LOYCE
An 1885-86 list of Hernando County schools shows a Loyce School.The 1886-87 Florida State Gazetteer shows Mrs. Nina Tracey as the teacher at Loyce.
A deed dated Sept. 13, 1889, transferred property in S10 T24 R18 from D. E. Winham and M. E. Winham to the school board.
A 1927 map shows the Loyce school in Section 10, centered north-south and on the eastern edge of the W ¼. This is about two miles NNW of the town of Loyce on an unnamed road running roughly parallel to State Hwy 5 (now U. S. 41) and about 1½ miles west of U. S. 41.
MACON (BLACK)
School board minutes of July 7, 1892, have: “A petition was read from colored patrons at Macon asking for the establishment of a school at that place. On motion the matter was deferred to the 1st Monday in August.”School board minutes of Oct. 9, 1893, have: “On motion a special school for colored children was granted to be taught at Macon. Salary of teacher to be $20 per month and George Bu...y to be supervisor.”
Minutes of March 1, 1897, have: “A letter showing that there were thirty five colored children of School age in Macon district and asking the Board to grant them a school was filed. On motion the School was granted, and J. D. Moore appointed teacher.
MIDWAY SCHOOL
The History of Zephyrhills 1821-1921 by Rosemary W. Trottman quotes James Theodore Campbell Jr. as follows:While we were living at The Cedars, as we called the Pedrick place near Lumberton, Robert and I attended the Midway School A Mr. Shearer from Dade City was the teacher. The Z. T. Roberts children, Junior, Bascom, Lena and Grace; Exa, Mary and Darlington Philmon; Jodie and Josie Stafford; Roy Tanney; Walter and Paul Miller whose father was an immigrant from Hungary also attended the Midway School. During the 1940's Walter was living on Seventh Street East. Some Johnson children also attended Midway.When the teacher, Mr. Shearer, was a small boy, he made a toy windmill on a stick. While running with this toy in his mouth he fell and the stick so damaged his throat and nervous system that he was partially paralyzed. So it was that one day while he was teaching in the classroom at Midway, the mail carrier stopped at the school to give Mr. Shearer a letter. As soon as he read it, he dismissed school for the day, asking the two Campbell boys to remain to be given a message for their father who was school trustee in addition to owning the only automobile in the immediate region. He requested that Mr. Campbell take him to Dade City where he was scheduled to appear before the draft board that afternoon. He was exempted from service, of course, and the children were back in the Midway School next day.
Finally so few pupils attended that no teacher could be found who would accept a position there. It was last offered to Marguerite Pillar who had graduated from Zephyrhills and was attending normal school. It was decided that Dewey Hudson who had just returned from service in World War I should take the two Campbell boys and any others from Midway district to the Zephyrhills School. There both Campbell boys were taught by Miss Verdie Roberts from O'Brien, Florida. She taught both second and third grade pupils in a small building just east of the main building. In the other half of this building the first grade was taught by Miss Lillie Geiger. Both buildings faced Sixth Street.
In addition to serving as trustee of the Midway District, and serving as emergency chauffeur for the entire community, our father was lay preacher. He preached for the community schools and churches that had no regular pastor. Mr. Z. T. Roberts had a brother who lived alone. When he died, Mr. Roberts asked my father to serve as minister at the funeral service.
MILLER
McCormick has: Miller near Sweetwater or Frank Collura's place. Blanton area.
MOORE-MICKENS MIDDLE SCHOOL/MOORE-MICKENS EDUCATION CENTER
A history of black schools in Dade City is here.
In 1970, black students integrated into the local schools. Mickens students moved to Pasco Jr. and Pasco Comprehensive High School.
Melvin Dennard became principal in 1973 and remained principal until June of 1981.From 1981 to 1986 Moore Mickens was a middle school. During that time the principals were Dr. Robert Dellinger, George Avadikian, and Charles Rine.
In 1987, Moore-Mickens became Moore-Mickens Adult Education Center. Mrs. Greta Adams served as principal. In 1995, Mrs. Adams retired and was succeeded by Steve Cox, who was still the Principal in January 2005.
|
MOORE - MICKENS MIDDLE - Grades 6-7 1970 - 74 O. K. Mickens 1974 - 81 Melvin Dennard 1981 - 83/84 Dr. Robert Dellinger 1983/84 - 86 George Avadikian The building was closed for renovation.
MOORE MICKENS EDUCATION CENTER |
MYRTLE-DENHAM SCHOOL
MacManus has: “When the one-room school at Myrtle got too crowded, a decision was made to build a larger, two-room structure to be named Myrtle-Denham School. Mike Riegler, a school district trustee at the time, donated five acres for the school. While the Myrtle-Denham school was being built, the younger students attended school in the Lake View United Brethren Church building while the older ones continued studying at the Myrtle School. Myrtle-Denham School, built in 1934, was located on S. R. 54 just east of U. S. 41. It functioned until 1948 when its students were transferred to the newly opened Sanders Memorial School in Land O' Lakes. The old school became a residence, then was torn down in 1997.”On Sept. 4, 1936, the Dade City Banner reported that Mrs. Gertrude Godwin was appointed teacher at the Myrtle-Denham School.
NEW RIVER SCHOOL
An 1877-78 list of Hernando County schools shows the trustees were L. Kersey and J. P. Smith.An 1883-84 list of Hernando County schools shows teacher Mrs. Lula B. Austin and trustees H. D. Ryals, James P. Smith, and H. Darming.
OAK-DALE SCHOOL (CHIPCO)
McCormick has "Chipco School — 1876" and "1893 - 1914 Chipco.”Chipco School appears in an 1885-86 list of Hernando County schools.
The 1886-87 Florida State Gazetteer entry for Chipco shows Miss Mattie Roberts as the teacher at the Oakland School in the listing for Chipco.
School board minutes of Sept. 5, 1887, show the Oak-Dale School (No. 3), post office Chipco. Trustees were: W. L. Osborn, N. D. Eiland, and Wm. Robinson.
School board minutes of Dec. 3, 1887, show school No. 3 is Oakland, with a total enrollment of 35 and average attendance of 21.
An article about Chipco says, “There was a need for a school and a frame house was built beside the country road opposite the J. N. Nathe home with lumber donated by Mr. Hack. The little school was called Oak Dale and later Chipco and was in operation until 1901, when it merged with Blanton, and in 1905 was sold to the highest bidder for $13.”
A 1972 newspaper article about Archie Burnside has "Archie's last school was the Chipco school, which was across the road from the present home of Mr. & Mrs. J. M. Nathe, south of Jessamine Gardens on Jessamine Road and a few hundred yards from the present home of his daughter Myrtle (Mrs. Jerry) Hunt, whose birthplace was adjoining.” A local researcher believes that, based on this description, Chipco School was near the intersection of Nathe Road and Jessamine Road on a 2005 map, probably in the southwest corner of that intersection, give or take a few hundred feet.
OAKDALE (ZEPHYRHILLS)
School board minutes of Sept. 5, 1887, show the Oak Dale School (No. 21), post office Richland. Trustees were: A. E. Geiger, J. D. Spivey, M. G. Frizell.The History of Zephyrhills 1821-1921 by Rosemary W. Trottman has:
John Spivey filed for homestead land between Pretty Pond and what is now Lake Zephyr. He built a home and called the place Oakdale. ... John soon started a church, at first holding Baptist services in his home, inviting itinerant ministers to preach and his neighbors to hear. When no preacher appeared, Irvin would read the Scriptures and lead discussions and prayers. He became so proficient at this that most Sabbath days found him leading services at Oakdale and nearby communities. The Spivey home could not contain the crowds; so they constructed an arbor in the adjoining woods. Soon they erected a building which was used for a combined school and church until the Lakeview Baptist Church was built.
Trottman also writes: “The Oakdale school was discontinued and the pupils sent to Childers and Richland schools.”
OAK GROVE
An 1885 directory lists Oak Grove as one of three academies in Fort Dade and implies the teacher was Prof. Eatherly. This is presumably George W. Eatherly (born, April 1854).
OAK POND
Hernando County School Board minutes of Sept. 30, 1882, indicate that Oak Pond School was established by uniting Sea Island School and Spivey School.
ODESSA (WHITE)
School board minutes of Sept. 2, 1907, show that a school was granted for Odessa.
A 1915-16 listing of schools shows the Odessa School with teachers L. A. Penholster and Marvin Roberts and 37 students.
On Oct. 16, 1922, a newspaper article reported: “Mrs. J. P. Howland, Principal. Miss Mattie Lou Mayo, Intermediate. Miss Frances Clark, Primary. The Odessa public school opened September 18th. The opening exercises were held at the church, where Mr. McFarland conducted devotional services, teaching a very impressive message from the Parable of the Talents. Mrs. Howland gave a short talk outlining the policy of the school for the present term. Eighty-two pupils were enrolled at the beginning of the term and the progress made thus far makes the teachers feel much encouraged. Last Saturday afternoon the pupils of the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, chaperoned by their teacher, had a picnic at Calm Lake.”
An article about Odessa in the New Port Richey Press of Feb. 29, 1924, has: “We have just constructed a well equipped four-room school building with a spacious auditorium, and we take great pleasure in mentioning the fact that our school won the prize at the county fair as one of the best three teacher schools in the county.”
A 1927 map shows the Odessa school in the NE ¼ of the SW ¼ of Section 27.
School board minutes indicate that at the meeting of Aug. 6, 1928, Mrs. L. D. Eiland was appointed the teacher. On Aug. 16, 1932, Miss Kathleen McGehee was appointed the teaacher. On May 6, 1935, Miss Eleanor Kuhlman was appointed the teacher.
On Sept. 4, 1936, the Dade City Banner reported that Mrs. Era Johnson Dixon was appointed teacher of the Odessa School.
On July 5, 1938, Cecilia Taylor Tyson was appointed the teacher.
On May 15, 1939, Marguerite Branas was appointed the teacher.
On May 5, 1941, Mrs. Katie Clark was appointed the teacher.
ODESSA (BLACK)
On Aug. 7, 1936, the Dade City Banner reported that the school board directed the superintendent to arrange for the building of a negro school in Odessa.
OWENSBORO
On Mar. 11, 1876, the East Florida Banner of Ocala reported:Wakeforest Academy Mr. Patrick Wilkins, of Hernando County, is establishing an Academy for the education of boys and girls on his own land. This philanthropic gentleman has built a spacious school house which will accommodate 120 students. The Academy is one mile from Fort Dade Lodge in the direction of Wilson's store, from which place it is one and one half miles distant. The professor intends planting 20 acres around the Academy in oranges, and he proposes to give 140 acres away in 5 acre lots to actual settlers. Eleven families have already taken lots, and some of them commenced building dwelling houses upon the same. The trustees of the Academy are Messrs. R. Sumner, J. E. Sumner, R. Wilson, M. Smith, Wm. Mobley, J. Oberry, Wm. Albritton, and M. Hutto.
The Academy will be opened on 15th day of March, and all arrangements for the comfort of the students will be made. Board with good families can be obtained at moderate rates in the neighborhood.
Professor Wilkins is a native of North Carolina, high-toned gentleman, and has several years experience in teaching, and it is to be expected that his high philanthropic undertaking will find the support of all parents in that section who have the future of their children at heart.
[Transcription by Jeff Cannon.]
An 1885-86 list of Hernando County schools shows an Owensboro School.
School board minutes of Sept. 5, 1887, show the O'Berry School, No. 11, post office Owensboro. Trustees were: J. W. O'Berry, H. C. McRae, Thos. Blitch.
School board minutes of Dec. 5, 1887, have: “The Supt. read the reports of his visits to various schools and called particular attention to the fact that the school house at Owensboro No. 11 was found to be about 40 feet south of the land donated to the school board. It was moved and carried that the Supt. investigate this matter and report at the next regular meeting of the Board.” School board minutes of Jan. 2, 1888, have: “The matter of the location of the school house at Owensboro was discussed and action postponed indefinitely.”
School board minutes of March 5, 1900, have: “The Trustees of Wake Forrest Academy reported that they had sold the Owensboro School lot to J. W. O'Berry for the benefit of their school, and asked the Board to execute a deed. On motion the chairman was directed to convey the said lot to J. W. O'Berry.”
McCormick has: John O'Berry in Orange House and O'Berry Lake 1893 - 1914.
PASADENA SCHOOL
The Pasadena school was built in 1887, according to McCormick.
PASCO SCHOOL
School board minutes of Sept. 5, 1887, have: “Mr. J. R. Bradley and others appeared in behalf of a new School in the Hancock neighborhood. To be known as Pasco School. Mr. Allen O. Pearce agrees to deed to Board for this school two acres of land, and the patrons agree to build a good and substantial house for School purposes on said land. Upon motion the School was granted.”A 1905-06 roster of students shows W. H. Stephens as the teacher at the Pasco School, No. 21.
A 1906-07 roster of students shows W. Stewart as the teacher at the Pasco School, No. 21.
On Sept. 4, 1936, the Dade City Banner reported that Miss Dorothy Eck was appointed Principal of the Pasco School.
PASCO-HERNANDO COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Pasco-Hernando Community College was established in 1967 by the state Legislature and is the newest of Florida's 28 community colleges.The first classes were held in 1972, taught in rented facilities in Dade City, New Port Richey and Brooksville.
Dade City residents and businesses helped raise more than $100,000 to buy 100 acres where the first campus was established in 1974.
New Port Richey businessman Alric Pottberg donated 140 acres for the west campus. Construction began in 1975 and was completed in 1976.
In 1976 the state donated 100 acres near Brooksville for the third campus in Hernando County.
There also are three centers, located at Gowers Corner and Land O' Lakes in central Pasco and Spring Hill in Hernando County.
| 1972-1994 | Dr. Milton O. Jones |
| 1994-2005 | Dr. Robert Judson |
| 2005- | Dr. Katherine Johnson |
PASCO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Pasco Elementary School opened with grades 1-6 for the 1955-56 school year, with Joseph B. Benson as Principal. Dallas T. (Ted) Parker became Principal in the fall of 1957. Parker is shown as the Principal in the 1973-74 personnel directory.
| 1955-57 | Joseph B. Benson |
| 1957-81 | Dallas T. Parker |
| 1981-87 | Robert Hatfield |
| 1987- | Barbara Munz |
PASCO JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL/PASCO MIDDLE SCHOOL
Pasco Jr. High School opened in the buildings which were used
previously by Pasco High School.
About 1965, the junior high moved to the present campus of Pasco High School where the two-story academic building and cafeteria were completed. The junior high remained on this campus through the 1969 - 1970 school year and endured the construction of seven other buildings which would house the high school when completed.
In the fall, the
junior high returned to the "Old Pasco High School" building and Pasco
High moved to the present campus.
| March 3, 1955 | Charles Henderson |
| March 28, 1956 - 1957 | Stewart M. Brown |
| May 29, 1957 - 1976 | W. G. (Brownie) Andrews |
| 1976 - 1977 | John Best |
| 1977 - 1987 | Greta Adams |
| 1987 - 1989 | George Avadikian |
| 1989 - 1990 | Larry Albano |
| 1990 - 1999 | Patrick Reedy |
| 1999 - 2002 | Steven Rinck |
| 2002 - | James Lane |
PINE GROVE SCHOOL
An 1877-78 list of Hernando County schools shows Pine Grove School with trustees J. R. Dean, A. Ryals, and George Gillett, and teacher M. A. Aderhold. This school may have been located in what is now Pasco County.
PINE VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Pine View Elementary School opened in August 2003, and is located across the street from Pine View Middle School. It was built to relieve crowding at Lake Myrtle, Denham Oaks, and Sanders elementary schools.
| 2003-2007 | Monica R. Joiner |
| 2007- | Cortney Gantt |
PINE VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL
| 1978-83 | Jerry McCarthy |
| 1983-85 | Charles Rine |
| 1985-86 | Robert Dorn |
| 1986-97 | Max Ramos |
| 1997-2007 | David R. Estabrook |
| 2007- | Kimberly Anderson |
PROSPECT SCHOOL
An 1877-78 list of Hernando County schools shows trustees W. W. Williamson, C. C. Harper, and D. Osborn, and teacher E. S. Benson.An 1883-84 list of Hernando County schools shows teacher J. G. McLean and trustees A. Middlebrook, V. C. Thrasher, and David Osborn.
QUAIL HOLLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
| 1974-1979 | Dennis Taylor |
| 1979-1985 | Mary Ann Peacock |
| 1985-1998 | Ginny L. Yanson |
| 1998-2002 | Susan Glickman |
| 2002-2003 | Thomas Barker |
| 2003-2007 | Margaret Lewis |
| 2007- | Michelle Berger |
RAVESIES SCHOOL
Minutes of the Hernando County school board show that Augustine H. Ravesies, who was the first Pasco County schools superintendent, appeared before the Hernando board in March 1878 and petitioned the board to establish a school. The petition was denied, as the school would have been located within two miles of Fort Dade Seminary, whereas the law required that schools be at least four miles apart.A list of Hernando County schools in 1885-86 shows a Ravesies School. This school may have been located in what is now Pasco County.
RIVER RIDGE MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL
New Port Richey, FL 34654
River Ridge Middle/High School opened at the start of the 1991-92 school year with 2200 students. The high school
relieved overcrowding at Gulf and Ridgewood High Schools. River Ridge Middle and High
Schools share a cafeteria, gymnasium, and a theater known as the Pasco County Center for the Arts, which
seats 907. The middle and high school classes are located on opposite ends of the same facility. Each
school has its own media center. The combined school is the largest in Pasco County and it is currently the
only combined middle and high school.
The schools opened using a modular class schedule and no bell to signal the beginning and end of classes. A traditional six-period class schedule was instituted several years later by a vote of the faculty.
The first principal was Robert Dorn. He was succeeded on Feb. 2, 2000, by Tammy Rabon.
In March 2003, the school board named Jason Joens a separate principal for River Ridge Middle School; Rabon continued
as Principal of the high school. At this time the combined school had 3,300 students.
In 2004 Jim Michaels replaced Rabon as principal of the high school.
SADDLEBROOK HIGH SCHOOL
Saddlebrook High School opened in 1993 as Pasco County's tennis school. The school was previously operated as a private school.
Principal:
1993-1997 Larry W. Robison
ST. ANTHONY INTERPAROCHIAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL
According to Pioneer College: The Centennial History of Saint Leo College, Saint Leo Abbey, and Holy Name Priory, the Saint Anthony school started as a private Catholic institution for colony residents in 1883, with classes taught by Mrs. Marie Cecile Morse in her home. In 1891, at the request of pastor Roman Kirchner, Saint Anthony became Public School #14 of the Pasco County system, with Holy Name sisters as the teachers. In 1917 Sidney J. Catts became Governor and nuns were banned from teaching public schools. In 1921 the nuns began teaching again. However, in November 1919 a fundraising campaign was launched to build a Catholic school, and the new red brick St. Anthony's school opened in September 1922 with nearly 100 students.
According to an article by Helen Christmas and Jeanette Barthle in East Pasco's Heritage:
On April 29, 1884, the first formal classes for the children of San Antonio were held in the kitchen of Mrs. Ethel Morse. In November of that year a twelve by twenty-four foot frame schoolhouse was built in town, and Mrs. Morse moved her fourteen pupils there. In 1889, the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh founded a new priory across the square from the church, and assumed the teaching duties of the school. In 1892 a large two-story frame structure with an auditorium became the school building for the seventy-five pupils attending. St. Anthony was opened as a public school, but in 1918 it became a parochial school with St. Anthony's Parish assuming full responsibility for its continuance. In September 1922, the three story building now in use was opened for 100 children.
The historical marker here reads: "Mrs. Cecelia Morse started the first school in San Antonio in 1889. The Benedictine Sisters assumed the administration in 1889. This red brick schoolhouse was built in 1922, at a cost of $22,000.00, eleven years after the adjacent church had been erected. The grotto and the wall facing the Plaza were constructed in 1935 of native rock.”
Principal:
1996-1997 Kay Rizzo
SAN ANTONIO ACADEMY
The 1885 Webb's Historical, Industrial and Biographical Florida refers to the San Antonio Academy, Mrs. Carrie Mullan, teacher.On Oct. 26, 1899, the San Antonio Herald reported, “Owing to the illness of Rev. Mother Rose Marie, the Academy will be closed this session. Parents desiring their children to be in school will do well to send them to the Graded School.”
SAN ANTONIO SCHOOL (WHITE)
An 1885-86 list of Hernando County schools shows a San Antonio School.School board minutes of Aug. 19, 1891, have: “The San Antonio matter, which was deferred from the last meeting, was taken up, and Messrs. Liles, Bishoff, and Higgins came before the Board in behalf of the school asked for at San Antonio. The conditions of the school law having been complied with the Board on a motion granted the school and it being represented that there would be 70 or 75 pupils in attendance at said school the Board granted the request that two first class teachers be appointed for the coming scholastic term. On motion Rev. Father (?) Bowman (?) was appointed supervisor of said school. The school to be known as the San Antonio School No. 9.”
On June 29, 1899, the San Antonio Herald said, “For the coming school term of School No. 16 the HERALD suggests as teachers Sr. Scholastica, Sr. M. Immaculate, and Miss K. O’Mahaney. In making these recommendations we are guided by the wishes of a number of the patrons, who believe in teachers that have the experience of years of teaching to their credit.”
On July 6, 1899, the San Antonio Herald reported, “At the meeting of the County School Board, last Monday, Sr. M.Scholastica was appointed principal of the San Antonio school, with Miss M. Osborn as assistant. The remaining position as third teacher was left vacant. The regular term comprises four months, an an extra term, subject to the will of the people and amount of the special tax realized.”
On Oct. 5, 1899, the San Antonio Herald reported, “The work on the school house is nearly finished. The first floor has been entirely changed to meet the demands of the increasing attendance. Instead of the two former class rooms it now has three, and the porch and outside stairway have been taken away altogether. The alterations are quite an improvement over the original arrangement which will be appreciated by the teachers.”
On Oct. 12, 1899, the San Antonio Herald reported, “The San Antonio Graded School resumed studies yesterday morning in the newly repaired quarters.”
On Nov. 30, 1899, the San Antonio Herald reported, “The enrollment at the Graded School for the past month was 85. The pupils present every day during the month were: Albert Grimm, Katie McMaster, Mary Smith, Ida Govreau, Stella Frese, Ella Cross, Sadie Semmes, Sallie Smith, Anthony Halsema, Eunice Dooner, Amelia Gailmard. The small number in regular attendance shows a lack of interest on the part of parents. Teachers cannot advance pupils who do not attend regularly, therefore parents should see that their children attend school promptly.”
On July 5, 1934, the school board awarded a contract to Fred J. Grace for the construction of a new school building in San Antonio.
On Sept. 4, 1936, the Dade City Banner reported that Mrs. Georgia Wells was appointed teacher at the San Antonio School.
At the school board meeting of April 10, 1951, the superintendent reported that the school trustees recommended closing the San Antonio white and colored schools.
SAN ANTONIO SCHOOL (BLACK)
School board minutes of Sept. 6, 1897, indicate that "a colored school in San Antonio" was granted.School board minutes of Aug. 6, 1928, show Louise O'Neal appointed teacher at the San Antonio colored school.
At the school board meeting of April 10, 1951, the superintendent reported that the school trustees recommended closing the San Antonio white and colored schools.
SAN ANTONIO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
| 1985-1991 | Katherine Piersall |
| 1991-2001 | Jean Johnson |
| 2001-2005 | Eva Hunsberger |
| 2005-2007 | Sara Lynn Pabst |
| 2007- | Vanessa Hilton |
SANDY SLEW/SANDY SLOUGH
School board minutes of Oct. 3, 1887 have: “Mr. James Cooper was again before the Board in the interest of his neighborhood, praying for a temporary school. Name of school to be Sandy Slew, No. 31.”School board minutes of Mar. 4, 1889, have: “By motion it was granted that the Sandy Slew School be allowed two months of school now due them, the last of the present term or during the next school year, as the children of said school cannot now attend on account of high water.”
School board minutes of Oct. 9, 1893, have: “J. A. Smith came before the Board asking that his children be permitted to attend Sandy slough School No. 31. On motion the request was granted.”
SAINT LEO COLLEGE
On March 11, 1889, the Benedictine sisters established Holy Name Academy with 40 boys and girls. The following September the sisters began teaching at the San Antonio and St. Joseph elementary schools and their academy became a "select school for young ladies.” Later in 1889 the main Saint Leo College building, a three-story structure, was constructed.
On June 4, 1889, the Order of St. Benedict received a charter from the state legislature to confer college degrees. This date is considered the founding date of Saint Leo College and Saint Leo Abbey.
On Sept. 14, 1890, “St. Leo's College" was formally dedicated. It is the first Catholic college in Florida.
St. Leo's College was a military college for several periods between 1890 and 1920.
The school has also been known as St. Leo College Preparatory School, St. Leo College High School, St. Leo Academy, St. Leo University, among other names.
ST. THOMAS (WHITE)
The 1886-87 Florida State Gazetteer shows J. M. Randle as the teacher at St. Thomas. The book says St. Thomas is sometimes called Darby settlement. A local researcher believes Randle is John W. Randle or Randal.This school apparently existed at the time of the formation of Pasco County in 1887, identified as School No. 76, west of St. Joe in Section 28 Township 24 Range 20, which is almost exactly halfway between St. Joseph and Darby. The northern boundary of that section is due West of St. Joe.
School board minutes of 1887 apparently indicate that Kate Lucas was the second teacher hired for St. Thomas (No. 9) at San Antonio.
ST. THOMAS (BLACK)
School board minutes of Feb. 5, 1894, have: “Henry Elijah colored came before the Board asking that a special school be granted for colored children near St. Thomas. On motion the Board granted the school with Henry Elijah as Supervisor and fixed the salary of teacher at $20 per month. The school was named St. Thomas School No. 41.” A local researcher believes that this school was on or near the property of Henry Elijah in the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 9, Township 24, Range 20, which is east of Lake Iola Road and north of Johnston Road.
SANDERS MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
A resolution passed by the school board on Aug. 16, 1948, named the school the James Wilton Sanders Memorial School.
Sanders, a Pasco County judge, served as
principal of the Zephyrhills school before becoming school
superintendent from 1913 until 1920.
MacManus has: “Sanders Memorial School, on School Road, was officially dedicated in 1948. Built to replace smaller, wooden schools at Myrtle-Denham, Tucker, and Drexel, it was named after County Judge Wilton Sanders who owned a grove in Land O' Lakes when he retired. The new school building, a concrete block structure, had five classrooms, an auditorium, principal's office, and teachers' lounge. The old two-room Drexel school building, located behind the new school, was converted to a lunchroom. When it opened, 114 students in grades 1-8 were in attendance. The first two students to register were Mary Wilson and Glenn Kirkland.”
Sanders Memorial School was built with a $50,000.00 bond issue.
| 1948 - 49 | Doc Carl Cripe |
| May 5, 1950 | H. B. Lawson appointed |
| July 5, 1950 | H. B. Lawson resigned |
| 1950 - 59 | Lee W. Fox |
| April 14, 1959 | Lee W. Fox resigned |
| March 30, 1960 | Thomas E. Benner, Jr. |
| August 9, 1960 | Marion L. Crawford, Sr. |
| 1975-1981 | James B. Walker |
| 1981-1988 | Richard Wendiek |
| 1988-1998 | Marti Meacher |
| 1998-2002 | Cindy Harper |
| ...-2006 | Tamera Kimpland |
| 2006-2007 | Mardee Kay Powers |
| 2007- | Jill Middleton |
SCHRADER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
On Feb. 2, 1972, the school board presented a plaque to A. H. Schrader, a San Antonio businessman, in gratitude for his gift of 15 acres of land for use as an elementary school site. Supt. Chester Taylor said, “Because of the generous offer by the Schraders, we have had other people either offer reduced prices or consider donating land.”On July 20, 1972, the St. Petersburg Times reported that Michael C. Buckley, a new principal for Pasco County, was on the job organizing plans for the new Schrader Elementary School scheduled to open at mid-semester next year. It reported that Buckley would be working out of the Pasco School Administration Office in New Port Richey. In June 1973, after hiring most of the staff but before the school opened, Buckley was named an assistant superintendent of schools. On June 13, the school board appointed Larry Wayne Robison as the principal. He was 24 years old.
Joan Palma became the Principal in 1977.
In 2003 a two-story classroom building with 16 classrooms was added to relive overcrowding at the school.
SEA ISLAND
An 1877-78 list of Hernando County schools shows trustees J. C. Smith, A. H. Smith, and R. W. Hill, and teacher B. L. Blackburn.Hernando County School Board minutes of Sept. 30, 1882, indicate that Oak Pond School was established by uniting Sea Island School and Spivey School.
SPIVEY
Hernando County school board minutes of Apr. 2, 1881, show that upon petition the patrons of the Spivey neighborhood on the Hillsborough River, a public school known as School no. 48, and situated near John Spivey and named Spivey School was established.A local researcher provides this additional information: Federal Bureau of Land Management; General Land Office (BLM/GLO) records reflect a homestead by John D. Spivy of 160.59 acres comprised by the East 1/2 of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 12, Township 26-S, Range 21-E; and West 1/2 of the Northwest 1/4 of Sec 7, Twp 26-S, R-22-E. Title was granted on this property to Spivy by BLM on 21 June 1889, and it is his probable location in 1881. The property is adjacent to and west of today's CR-535, and about one-half mile south of the 535 intersection with Highway 54, NNE of downtown Zephyrhills, and about two miles west of the Hillsborough River.
Hernando County School Board minutes of Sept. 30, 1882, indicate that Oak Pond School was established by uniting Sea Island School and Spivey School.
SPRING VALLEY
There was a school in Blanton area known as Spring Valley probably located between Blanton and Jessamine. The trustees petitioned for a change of name and location to Blanton. This school was located East of the present community and lake in a small frame building. The school continued until 1905 when another building was erected in the town of Blanton on property donated by John and Mary O'Berry. This was described as a very fine two-story school. This building became the property of Blanton Civic Club. Chipco gradually merged into the Blanton Community. The old Blanton school East of the lake and Chipco school was sold to the highest bidder September 4, 1905. The Blanton building sold for $36.00 and Chipco for $13.00.Hernando County school records show Spring Valley School was established on Sept. 29, 1879. Trustees were C. G. Gant, W. L. Osborn, and J. M. O'Berry. The teacher was N. M. Moody.
According to McCormick, the school moved to Blanton in 1884.
STEVENSON SCHOOL
School board minutes of Aug. 7, 1893, show a Stevenson School (no. 2) with teacher S. H. Stevenson. On Aug. 1, 1898, school board minutes show a Stevenson School (no. 30) with Anna Powell the teacher. On Sept. 4, 1899, school board minutes show that J. B. Hay was appointed as a trustee, to replace S. D. Osteen, who had resigned. On July 1, 1901, school board minutes show Mrs. Katie Sumner as the teacher, and on Aug. 6, 1903, school board minutes show Lillie Tait as the teacher. School board minutes of July 4, 1904, have: “The petitions of the patrons of Schools no. 30 Stevenson, 31 Baillie, 32 Port Richey asking the Board to unite the three schools in Section 16, Township 25 (?), Range 16 was taken up for hearing and (illegible) ordered that they be united as they requested.”
SUMNER SCHOOL/OAK HILL SCHOOL
D. E. Sumner wrote, in a letter printed in History of Pasco County Florida:With reference to the first dedicated school house ever built in Pasco county, especially the eastern part, it was built where Pled Sullivan now lives and I am quite sure is the same little log smoke house that still stands in Mr. Sullivan's yard. This wonderful school building was erected by Tony Sumner, John Sumner, Cary Sumner, Alec Sumner and Joe Sumner, my father. Those boys' ages ranged from 18 to 24 years at the time they erected their school house and attended school three months which was all the schooling any of them received, each paying the teacher his portion. I do not recall the name of their teacher, but will get the name for you. In later years, Mrs. Sullivan who was a widow was donated the little log house to live in. Later she homesteaded the land the house stood on.
An 1885-86 list of Hernando County schools shows a Sumner School.
School board minutes of Sept. 5, 1887, show the trustees of Sumner School (No. 23) were K. J. Sumner, J. C. Sumner, and J. C. Mercer.
School board minutes of Oct. 8, 1907, indicate that the name of the school was changed to Oak Hill.
According to a local researcher, Robert Sumner proved up a homestead in 1884 comprised of parts of Sec 1, Twp 25, Range 21 and Sec 6, Twp 25, Range 22. These lands are contiguous and are southeast of Dade City, and adjoin corner-to-corner the 11-25-21 given as the location of Oak Hill School described in school board records. A federal patent on a homestead implies as least 5 years of prior residence, thus the Robert Sumner family was away from River Road at least by 1879, and possibly "squatting" even before that.
SURVEYOR’S POND
A list of schools in Hernando County as of Oct. 12, 1878, shows the trustees of the school were Marion W. Page, Truman Croft, and William McLeod Sr. Based on these names, the school was likely located near what is now Trilby. In 1878-79 the teacher was Julia Moody, who was replaced because of illness by F. P. Daniels. At the Hernando County school board meeting of April 5, 1884, the school was discontinued.
THOMAS E. WEIGHTMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Originally, this school served as a training center for University of South Florida education students.
| 1991-1994 | Dr. Katherine W. Piersall |
| 1994-1996 | Dr. Loretta A. Nielsen |
| 1996-1999 | Andrew V. Frelick |
| 1999-2002 | Robert Aguis |
| 2002-2004 | Steve Rinck |
| 2004- | Shae Davis |
TILLIS HAMMOCK
Hernando County school records show that Tills Hammock School was established on Nov. 4, 1879. Trustees were Harrison Slaughter and Charles Byant. The teacher was W. P. Jones. This school may have been located in what is now Pasco County.
TOWNSEND HOUSE CHURCH
In the early 1870s settlers northwest of Blanton built a church under the leadership of W. R. Nicks, N. D. Eiland, H. W. Hancock, Joshua Mizelle, and Osias Mizelle. This church was also used as a school building. [Dade City Banner, May 31, 1935] According to a 2002 Tampa Tribune article, this church was made of logs, with split-log benches as pews. [Some sources say this was the first building used as a school in what is now Pasco County, although the Fort Dade Academy apparently was in operation in the 1850s.]As the first church became too small, and realizing that it was built on government land, Joshua Mizell donated an acre of land about 100 yards west of the old log church and in 1879 the settlers came together again and constructed a second church [Dade City Banner, May 31, 1935]. According to a 2002 Tampa Tribune article, the land was donated by Joshua and Margaret Mizell, Jack Townsend's granddaughter. This latest church was only recently demolished.
An 1877-78 list of Hernando County schools shows that Townsend House operated that year from Oct. 8, 1877, to Dec. 3, 1877, with Jno. Snoddy as the teacher. The trustees were H. W. Hancock, William Nicks, and R. M. Parker. The list says, “This school suspended + was finished by E.S. Benson + (illegible).”
An 1883-84 list of Hernando County schools shows teacher C. J. Jenkins and trustees W. R. Nicks and J. E. Burnside.
Hernando county school board minutes of Apr. 5, 1886, show that the board approved a petition by Mitchell Jones to begin a school here. Trustees appointed were G. W. Batten, Mitchell Jones, and H. R. Nicks. E. A. Harrison was appointed the teacher.
Pasco County school board minutes of Sept. 5, 1887, show that the board voted to discontinue the Townsend House School.
School board minutes of Sept. 3, 1888, show that Mitchell Jones requested Townsend House be re-opened.
School board minutes of Aug. 1, 1898, show Maude Gregg assigned as the teacher for Townsend House School, no. 36.
School board minutes of July 1, 1901, show Cordie Hancock assigned as the teacher.
The school operated until 1907, according to a 2002 Tampa Tribune article, or until 1908, according to McCormick.
A 1972 Dade City Banner article about Archie Burnside (1870-1972) has: “The Burnside children walked with their nearest neighbors, the Thomas A. Hancock children, to attend the three month term of school which was conducted in the hand-hewn log structure Townsend House Church located a little north of their homes.”
TRINITY COLLEGE
Trinity College of Florida traces its history to 1932. It began as Florida Bible Institute, which opened with 30 students on Sept. 20, 1932, in Temple Terrace. The College was founded by Dr. William T. Watson, pastor of a large Christian and Missionary Alliance church in St. Petersburg, changing the name to Trinity College in 1947. Little did he realize when he started the College that a young man, Billy Graham, who would enroll in 1937 and graduate in 1940, was destined to become one of the great evangelists in history.The school was later located in hotels in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and, from 1961 to 1988, in the old Fenway Hotel in Dunedin. The college moved to Pasco County on June 1, 1988, originally operating out of Westside Baptist Church in New Port Richey.
Though Dr. Graham is the College’s most famous graduate, he is but one of many in the past 73 years who have gone out from the College to serve the Church all over the world and in many different roles. Although distinctly evangelical it is purposely interdenominational in nature. The College believes this type of education best serves its students as they prepare to live and serve in a world where denominational distinctions among evangelicals are becoming less important.
A major milestone in the life of the College was achieved in 1996 when Trinity was accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education, a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. ABHE Accreditation demonstrates an institution’s commitment to educational quality in general and to the Biblical and theological as well as Christian service requirements unique to Bible colleges. It is currently seeking accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The Trinity Communities of West Pasco derives its name from the relocation of Trinity College of Florida from Dunedin to the first occupied site in the communities developed by Dr. James P. Gills. Over 35 businesses and professional offices have quickly adopted “Trinity” in their names.
| 1988 | Dr. Barry Banther |
| 1991 | Dr. Richard A. Williams |
| 1993 | Rev. Glenn C. "Skip" Speed Jr. |
| 1998 | Dr. Bill W. Lanpher |
| 2005 | Dr. Mark T. O'Farrell |
UNION SCHOOL
An early map shows the school located between Zephyrhills and Wesley Chapel.School board records show the Union School in operation in October 1887 and show Miss Maxine Kennedy appointed to the school on Aug. 5, 1895, at which time it was school number 39.
A 1902 roster of pupils shows Maggie Smith as the teacher at Union School, no. 18.
A 1903 roster of pupils shows Ida Gorean (?) as teacher at Union School, no. 18.
VEREEN SCHOOL
A deed indicates that J. D. Vereen transferred property in S32 T24 R17 to the Hernando County School Board on July 9, 1885.An 1885-86 list of Hernando County schools shows a Vereen School.
School board minutes of Feb. 4, 1889, show that a petition signed by Hudson, Chaney, and Bellamy was presented, asking that a school be built just southeast of Hudson. The matter was tabled.
School board records show the teacher in Aug. 1889 was A. M. Belamy, in 1893 was J. F. Hay, in Aug. 1897 was John Barnes, and in Aug. 1898 was Alma Clement. School board minutes of Apr. 7, 1890, refer to books lost in a fire at the Vereen school. School board minutes of July 2, 1900, show the school district trustees were Taylor Frierson, Ed Lewis, and E. J. Caraway.
A deed dated July 20, 1898, transferred property in S5 T25 R17 from C. L. Johnson and Co. (Sessoms, Bullard) to the school board for one dollar.
In 1889 a cemetery was established in what became the town of Vereen, which existed in the 1880s and 1890s. The cemetery is located on Hudson Avenue, one-half mile east of Hicks Road. The historical marker reads: "...Stephen P. Douglas who died in 1889 is the earliest marked burial. In 1890 Abraham and Susanna Bellamy donated land to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in memory of her parents Joseph and Susanna Vereen. A building completed in 1891, served as the community's church and for some years, as a public school, until it was destroyed by a forest fire in 1920.”
WESLEY CHAPEL
A list of Hernando County schools in 1877-78 shows school No. 10 at Wesley Chapel with G. Godwin the teacher. However, opening and closing dates are left blank. Another lists shows D. Godwin as the trustee.An 1883-84 list of Hernando County schools shows teacher B. L Blackburn and trustees J. A. Boyett, W. R. Smith, and J. J. Gillett.
On April 5, 1897, the school board granted a request to discontinue the Wesley Chapel school and replace it with two schools, provided that the school houses are built and furnished at the expense of the patrons.
A 1915-16 roster of pupils shows E. D. Dodson as the teacher at Wesley.
At the school board meeting of July 3-5, 1916, Prof. Warren Bates was appointed Principal at Wesley Chapel. Miss Blance Geiger was appointed assistant.
A 1916 roster of pupils shows Warren Bates as the teacher at Wesley Chapel, No. 19.
A 1917-18 roster of pupils shows Leona Mickler as the teacher at Wesley Chapel, No. 19.
According to The Historic Places of Pasco County, the one-room, frame, two-teacher Wesley Chapel public school was constructed on an acre of land donated by Jane Godwin and operated until its disbandment some time before World War II.
According to McCormick, the Godwin family donated three acres to the community of Wesley Chapel, which was known as Godwin for some time. The Double Branch Baptist Church is located on the middle acre. The cemetery is on the west acre and the Wesley Chapel school was on the east acre.
On March 4, 1935, Matchett Lake and Wesley Chapel requested permission to consolidate.
On Sept. 4, 1936, the Dade City Banner reported that D. C. Cripe was appointed Principal and Miss Annice Cripe was appointed teacher at the Wesley Chapel School.
On April 17, 1951, the Wesley Chapel School was discontinued.
| 1935 - 36 | Eugene Hester |
| 1936 | Doc Carl Cripe |
| 1940 - 44 | Mrs. Isabel H. Stewart |
| 1945 | Mrs. Isabel Barnes |
| 1946 | Ernest Linwood Lavender |
WEST ZEPHYRHILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
| 1961-1967 | Arleis E. Ross |
| 1967-1978 | Ferd E. Renninger |
| 1978-1987 | Louis Freijo, Jr. |
| 1987-1997 | Jeanette Lovelace |
| 1997-2001 | Madonna Wise |
| 2001- | Emily Keene |
WILLOW OAK SCHOOL
An 1877-78 list of Hernando Schools shows the trustees were Jno. W. Darby, S.B. Colding, and Geo. Bates. The teacher was O. W. Collin. The report says, “This school was suspended + was finished by B. L. Blackburn.”An 1883-84 list of Hernando County schools shows teacher Miss Hortense Lee and trustees R. J. Bradley and Lot Sellers.
On Sept. 5, 1887, the Pasco County school board discontinued the Willow Oak or Providence school.
On Aug. 1, 1898, W. M. Gilbert was appoointed teacher at Willow Oak school #37.
WIREGRASS RANCH HIGH SCHOOL
Wiregrass Ranch High School opened in August 2006, although it was originally housed in 44 portable
classrooms behind Thomas E. Weightman Middle School. In January 2007 the school moved into its new
facility located behind John Long Middle School.
The 5,000-acre Wiregrass Ranch was named for James “Wiregrass” Porter, who died in January 2003 at age 86. He and his brother
Bob bought 14,000 acres in central Pasco County from the Rockefeller family in the 1940s.
During the first year, only ninth and tenth grades were taught at Wiregrass Ranch High School.
The first principal is Raymond Bonti.
WOODLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
| 1978-1985 | Ferd Renniger |
| 1985-2002 | Randall W. Belcher |
| 2002-2004 | Karen Marler |
| 2004-2007 | Steven Rinck |
| 2007- | Kimberly Poe |
ZEPHYRHILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (BLACK)
Principal: Bessie Barefield, 1949-1955.
In a 2004 interview in the CARES Bulletin, Carrie Mae Parker recalled, “My children went to school in an old wooden schoolhouse. It was one room for blacks only from grades one to six. The school was on part of the Krusen's family pasture. I'm not sure whether he donated the land or not. Later, the school was moved to a larger white school building where the Macedonia Church in Zephyrhills is today. That school had a separation with the first to third grades on one side and the fourth to sixth grades on the other side.”
A 2008 article in the Zephyrhills News reported:
Until 1955, the only school in Zephyrhills to accept African-American students was held in a wooden church located on the corner of a pasture owned by the Krusen family. The Zephyrhills Elementary School at Krusen Quarters, as it was called, included grades one through six. Though the school boasted dedicated teachers and impressive academic standards, it suffered from a general lack of funding and modern facilities. Due to a scarcity of books and other supplies, principal Bessie Barefield and teacher Martha L. Lewis often made their own classroom materials or bought them with their own money. The Krusen Quarters School was closed down in 1955 and classes were moved to a larger building on Brown Street, a location that is currently the site of the Macedonia Mission Baptist Church. After finishing the sixth grade, the majority of Zephyrhills' black students traveled to Moore Academy in Dade City. The academy was the only high school to accept black students in the area until Zephyrhills High School was integrated in the late 1960s.
ZEPHYRHILLS MIDDLE/RAYMOND B. STEWART MIDDLE SCHOOL
According to the school's web site, a wooden high school was built in 1911. It was destroyed by fire and was replaced with a two-story brick structure in 1926. All grades, from one to twelve, were housed in Zephyrhills Public School for many years. In the early 1930's the top story burned and was removed. Two side wings and an auditorium were added to the main building at this time, to be followed by a junior high annex and home economics building in 1944, three elementary wings in 1952, a band building in 1954, and a gymnasium in 1967. A new media center and home economics building were constructed in 1968 and redesigned ten years later. Since the new high school was constructed in 1975 the school has housed grades four through eight, seven through nine, seven and eight, and six through eight. The name changed from Zephyrhills Middle to Zephyrhills Junior High, back to Zephyrhills Middle, and to Raymond B. Stewart Middle in September 1986.
Raymond B. Stewart came to Zephyrhills in 1964 to serve as Principal of Zephyrhills High School. He remained a high school principal in Zephyrhills for sixteen years and also was Superintendent of Schools for Pasco County for twenty months. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1982. Stewart suffered a fatal heart attack on May 25, 1986, in Tallahassee, while playing softball with a group of his legislative colleagues. He was fifty-six years old.
In 2005 the Zephyrhills News reported,
"The 1927 school building at Raymond B. Stewart Middle School will be torn down according
to new construction plans that will in many ways rebuild the middle school campus said
Principal Jackson Johnson Jr.
The venerable old building, which holds a lot of memories for many who grew up in Zephyrhills
was not able to be renovated and brought up to today's standards, Johnson said.
All of the 'old' school house that once served all grades in the early days of the city will not be
lost, however, bricks from the building will be incorporated into the design of the new campus as
an aesthetic feature, which has not yet been determined. In addition, the appearance of some of the new
buildings will emulate the original design in honor of the school.”
On April 12, 2005, the Tampa Tribune reported, "By the time the decades-old red-brick middle school undergoes its $15 million makeover, only the giant camphor tree out front will remain. Little by little, the 79-year-old Raymond B. Stewart Middle School will expand to make way for this growing city and its growing student body. The school that once educated every child in town from first through 12th grades will be able to house 1,350 middle school students, an increase of 350 from its current enrollment. The main building, a 1926 structure, will be demolished.”
In August 2006 a new cafetorium opened.
| 1985-1999 | Bruce Baldwin |
| 1999- | Jackson Johnson Jr. |