A Thought to Remember: Highland Community Unit School District #5

“Highland Public Schools on July 1, 1950 became a part of the Highland Community Unit School District #5. The unit consisted of Highland, Grantfork, Alhambra, New Douglas and Pierron school districts and those school buildings were used, plus the Tontz Country School in the Grantfork district and Purcell Country School in the Alhambra district. (All other Country Schools in the Unit were closed or had been previously closed.)

“On January 31, 1953 a bond issue was passed, which included sufficient funds to build a new school in Grantfork and New Douglas, each having four classrooms, kindergarten, gymnasium, stage and cafeteria facilities. To the Alhambra building was added two classrooms, cafeteria, gymnasium, kindergarten and office. Highland had a new elementary school built east of the Lindenthal campus, on a second tract purchased from the Miller’s.

“All of these facilities were placed into use with the 1954-55 school year and now all centers had kindergarten thru eighth grade, with the high school in the entire original building on the Lindenthal campus. Again a Bond issue was past, to build a junior high school in 1964-65, on the west side of the original Lindenthal building, the seventh and eighth graders were moved to this new facility, freeing up classrooms in the elementary school building.

“With the deteriorating of the old Hitz School building at Alhambra, in 1968, six classrooms and other facilities were added, the old building was removed. Also an eight classroom annex was built to the south of the elementary building in Highland for special education.

“By 1969 the need was for a new high school, after much deliberation, the District purchased a total of almost 70 acres from Mr. & Mrs. Ray Winet and Mr. & Mrs. Eldon Grotefendt on March 31, 1969. The land was located on Troxler Road, between, Route 143 and Route 160. In 1970 contracts were awarded to Korte Construction Co. for a stadium, football field and track, plus parking lot, on the western portion of this new site.

“The State of Illinois put emphasis on individual classrooms for each grade, Grantfork and New Douglas, each needed two additional classrooms, so this was awarded in 1973. In 1974, the Capital Development Board of Illinois, awarded a grant in the amount of $2,458,150. Stipulated that the local district provide 43 ½ % of the total cost of the new high school. Highland District voters on June 1, 1974, approved the Bond Issue for the new High School. Plans were drawn by Highland’s “Loyet-McDonough, Inc.” known as David Loyet & Associates, Inc. (The end of the Sesquicentennial Book information, with new information from the Highland District 5, office.)

The new High School is a reality. “Ralph Korte Construction Co. Inc. of Highland was awarded the General Contract and John P. Wetzel of Highland was the Project Manager, for the new high School. Construction required 15 months to complete. The dedication program for the new Highland High School, told about the Highland Chamber of Commerce Study Committee, headed by Roscoe Menz and almost 40 members, who were so instrumental in getting the Bond issue past. The Board of Education and School Administrators, who had many, many meetings, preparing the proposal, gathering information on the needs of the new High School. Dedication was October 24, 1976.

“In the 1990’s the need for a new Middle School and a High School addition were voted on for four times. The School District had secured a lease on 38.5 acres of the James Winet property at the N.E. corner of Troxler and Route 160, just north of the High School. The lease was running out, so a “Business Education Alliance” was formed to raise the $240,000 that was needed to purchase the land. 58 share owners secured the money and they purchased the land to hold without interest, until the new Bond Issue was past.

“On the fifth try on March 17, 1998, the $6.75 Million construction Bond issue for the High School addition, remodeling and equipping the present High School. Construction management was by the Korte Company, with many other local contractors participating.

“The ground breaking ceremonies for the 42,000-square foot High School addition, took place in late June 1998. Construction of the new addition, consisting of 15 regular classrooms, fine arts complex, while the 7 classroom/labs science department was on the second floor. After the construction of the new addition, it was put to use, starting in February 1999, while the commons was being renovated and the ‘Open Space” design removed. Much of this was accomplished during the summer recess, with classrooms reconfigured and additional hallway accesses put in place. The total was completed, with dedication on February 6, 2000.

“The Bond issue for the Middle School was passed on April 13, 1999. FGM Architects plans and The Korte Co. as Construction Managers, with Poettker Construction doing the general work on all of these projects, totaling $12,037,000. all within budget and on time. Dedication was September 10, 2000.

“Dorothy Kempff Freeman, a 1930’s graduate of Highland High School, died in 2003 and left $1,000,000. to the School District. On January 26, 2006 the district purchased the 75,000 square feet, Jakel Inc. buildings and property, at 400 Broadway, for $925,000. (Thanks to Dorothy.) By March of 2006, renovation necessary to relocate the administration office was started and the Technology department relocated. The big move was June 2006, as they moved the district’s Administrative Center from 1800 Lindenthal to 400 Broadway. Much of the manufacturing and warehouse spaced is leased out. Currently the ‘old’ Administrative Center at 1800 Lindenthal, is being used by the Highland Primary School.

(Also this was in the Sesquicentennial book on Page 173.)

“After Professor Deitz resigned due to ill health, his place was taken by A.E. Lewey, filling out the 1928-29 school year. Lewey was succeeded by Lewis Ogilive and he served from 1929-31. Palmer L. Ewing arrived in April of 1931 and continued until 1942, when he became Superintendent in Alton. John C. DeLaurenti, a native of Pocahontas, was appointed Superintendent in July of 1942, (My Senior year at Highland High School.) he resigned on August 1, 1958, to become the director of the school lunch program in the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction in Springfield.

“Joseph J. White, teacher and principal for many years at Highland, was appointed superintendent for 1958-59 school year, but was fatally injured in an auto collision later that month. Olin W. Stratton was named superintendent to fill the White vacancy. Stratton retired from on August 1, 1985. Stratton’s successor and current superintendent, (In 1987.) was Robert ‘Bob’ Freeman.” Thus ended the Sesquicentennial Book. My next call was to Bob Freeman and he gave me the following information.

“Robert Freeman began teaching in Highland High School in 1966 and during the next 27 years, he wore many ‘Hats’ moving up to Superintendent in 1985. Freeman left in 1992 to become Superintendent at Jacksonville Schools. He retired after 7 years and returned to Highland. James ‘Jim’ Burgett followed Freeman, then Marvin Warner and today Michael ‘Mike’ Sutton is Superintendent.

Quotes from Sesquicentennial Book, 1987 and information from Bob Freeman, Superintendent Michael Sutton and much information from Highland Community Unit District #5 office.