Remember When

50 YEARS AGO •

SEPTEMBER 25, 1969

TRUSTEES OKAY BOND ELECTION FOR NEW HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING

A resolution calling for a bond election to authorize sale of $790,000 in bonds to finance construction of a new Thompson Falls High School on the 30-acre site owned by District 2 in the old golf course area was adopted unanimously by trustees at a special meeting Monday night.

The proposed new building would contain 37,000 square feet of floor space, including the basement under the gymnasium. The main building would include classrooms for business education, journalism, mathematics, sciences, language arts, social sciences, music and home ec surrounding an instructional materials center or library, which would be in the center. A commons or hallway would be used jointly as a foyer for the gymnasium and a lunchroom. The gym would have a regulation playing court 84 by 50 feet and seating capacity of 1,000 although initially plans would be to install only 500 folding seats. When the seats are folded against the side walls, the playing court can be divided with a drop curtain to permit its use by two physical education classes at the same time. Locker and shower rooms for both boys and girls would be located in the basement under the gym, along with the industrial arts or shop classroom. Also housed in the gym basement would be the heating plant. Another large unfinished room in the basement would be available for storage or other uses.

The main floor also would include space for staff, guidance and administrative offices and facilities.

The shower rooms under the gym would be available readily for use by football and track athletes at the new Booster Club field. Football and track took place at Ainsworth Field downtown.

The board's decision to ask approval of local property owners to build the new plant was made after a discussion with high school faculty members, Principals Gene Jones and Wayne Tompkins and Supt. Oliver (Rip) Holo.

Tompkins told the board that the school faces a new space problem next year in that the present fifth grade will require three classrooms next year. He said at present there are only two usable classrooms in the dormitory and each has a capacity of 21 students. "With 54 students in the fifth grade, we will have to have three classes in the sixth grade next year. We can hire a third teacher, but where are we going to get another classroom," Tompkins asked?

Teachers also pointed out that playground area on the campus now is insufficient. Wayne Ward said he has to keep his high school P.E. class indoors until the lower grade students complete recess so he can take his classes outdoors.

Tompkins also pointed out that is highly likely that in the near future kindergarten will be required for all youngsters and that this will increase the need for classrooms on the present campus.

These opinions were expressed after the question arose as to the possibility of building on the present campus.

The faculty said students were voicing concern about the present plant and feel they are being short changed. It was pointed out that most students do better work when they are housed in a good building. This is reflected in student behavior, attitude and pride in the school.

LEDGER LINES by K.A.E.

By the year 2000 many economists expect the computer industry to be the single largest employer in the United States, outranking even the auto industry.

Marge Rohwer tells the story on herself that when she was introduced to a woman, she identified her name as "Rohwer, as in Lions." Later the woman had the occasion to introduce Marge and wanted to make sure she got the pronunciation correct. Her introduction of Marge was: "Mrs. Growler."

Last week's feature story by Pat Sullivan about Terry Stephens job as a lookout on Cougar Peak revived memories for Mel Hoy. He recalled that in 1952 or 1953 he helped build the lookout building.

Also working on the building were Slim Wetzler and Al Megron.

All of the building supplies were packed to the top of Cougar Peak by pack string. Hoy recalled that he hiked to the top of Cougar Peak twice and his best time was two hours and 13 minutes.