Sandwell School District #4332
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The school district was homesteaded as early as 1910. After many talks and meetings the first official school district meeting with recorded minutes was held on December 20, 1920. The Sandwell school was built on SE 29-48-15 W2nd in 1921.
In 1921 the teacher’s salary was $1020.00 per year and the caretaker was paid $5.00 per month. Throughout the history of the school, the school district minutes record requests for “tenders for wood.”
Some items of interest from the early years:
In 1961 a vote was held in regard to closing the school. (9 voted to close - 8 to remain open) The school was closed and the students bussed to Ridgedale. During the last year of operation the teacher’s salary was $4050.00 per year and the bus driver was paid $4.50 per day. The last teacher was Mrs. Lillie Mortensen.
Teachers at the Sandwell School:
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In 1921 the teacher’s salary was $1020.00 per year and the caretaker was paid $5.00 per month. Throughout the history of the school, the school district minutes record requests for “tenders for wood.”
Some items of interest from the early years:
- 1924 night classes were held for adults
- 1925 no one favoured raising taxes for the school, the teacher is assigned the job of general caretaker
- 1928 a telephone is installed in the school
- 1930 a porch is added to the school plus two outside toilets - all for $50.00 S 1938 a picnic was held with Sandhill Creek and Henderson schools, the board paid 75¢ per student for dental work.
- 1943 teacher’s salary was $1100.00 plus access to a teacherage and heating, teacher must do janitorial duties (light the fire, sweep the floors and dust the school)
- 1949 a discussion was held regarding joining the larger school unit - it was decided to continue “as we are.”
- 1951 the teacher J. L. Watson at age 84 was the oldest teacher in Canada
In 1961 a vote was held in regard to closing the school. (9 voted to close - 8 to remain open) The school was closed and the students bussed to Ridgedale. During the last year of operation the teacher’s salary was $4050.00 per year and the bus driver was paid $4.50 per day. The last teacher was Mrs. Lillie Mortensen.
Teachers at the Sandwell School:
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John A. Hunt (1st teacher - 1921)
G. Harrower
R. E. Ewan
Mrs. Butterfield
Miriam Dirks
Luella Amy McRae
Miriam (Dirks) Taylor
Lillie Mortense
G. Harrower
R. E. Ewan
Mrs. Butterfield
Miriam Dirks
Luella Amy McRae
Miriam (Dirks) Taylor
Lillie Mortense
Miss Gosling
R. E. Paul
R. W. Dunlop
John N. Goertzens
John Hanson
J. L. Watson
Marjorie Craig
R. E. Paul
R. W. Dunlop
John N. Goertzens
John Hanson
J. L. Watson
Marjorie Craig
Mrs. J. M. Boles
F. W. Hilton
Vivian (Svare) Dunham
Jesse V. Hannah
Dorothy Campbell
Cornelius Peter Klassen
Dolores Schreiner
F. W. Hilton
Vivian (Svare) Dunham
Jesse V. Hannah
Dorothy Campbell
Cornelius Peter Klassen
Dolores Schreiner
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Information from Under Northern Lights, 1987, a history of Codette, Pontrilas, and District.
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