Saragosa School opened as an elementary school for students in grades 1 through 6 in the small community of Saragosa, Texas in the year of 1898 during the latter end of late 19th century. One teacher taught 20 students at Saragosa School in a two-room building. From 1898 to 1900, Saragosa School was a “county school” operated by the Pecos County Common School District (now Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD).
Beginning in the 20th century, the town of Saragosa created its own school district called Saragosa School District which served the town of Saragosa and Verhalen altogether. Saragosa School was part of the Saragosa School District beginning in 1900 during the 1900–1901 school semester. During the 1900–1901 school semester, Saragosa had operated three school districts, one for the town itself, one for Coyanosa, and one for Verhalen, all of which were one teacher schools.
In order to obtain water, Saragosa School had a well that connected to Saragosa Springs. A well for Saragosa School was dug in 1900 at an underground elevation of 100 feet. The well was later extended to 150 feet.
In 1938, Saragosa School District was consolidated into Pecos ISD (now Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD) due to low enrollment. Less than 100 students were attending Saragosa School during its consolidation into Pecos ISD. However Pecos ISD continued to operate the school under its jurisdiction despite school district consolidation. 60 students attended classes on a daily basis at average.
"We even added a seventh grade at one time to encourage kids to stay in school.” Former Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD assistant administrator David Dutchover recalls. (Ref: The Big Bend Sentinel Marfa, Texas, VOL. 58. NO. 17, JULY 18, 1991)
Sometime during the 20th century is when Saragosa School went from being a 1-6 school to a 1-7 school which taught students in grades 1 through 7. Saragosa School never went past 7th grade, So junior high school students had to attend junior high school/middle school in Pecos, Texas. Junior high school students would attend the schools in Pecos ISD (now Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD). There was no high school for Saragosa. So students had to transfer into Pecos to continue high school in order to complete their high school education.
Pecos County Common School District started an adult education program for adults who needed to learn how to read and write. Former Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD assistant administrator David Dutchover supervised that program for several years. This adult education program started on a volunteer basis but was later funded by state funding and local funding.
By 1952 Saragosa School was predominantly Hispanic. It was now known as a “Mexican School”. Over 80% of the student population was Hispanic with Mexican heritage. By the 1953-1954 school year, over 90% of the student population was Hispanic.
Two rooms were added to Saragosa School in 1957 making the building a 5 room building. Saragosa School changed its name to Saragosa Elementary School in 1964.
According to an article from The Big Bend Sentinel dating back to July 18, 1991, Saragosa School was a “first through sixth grade facility”. This “first through sixth grade facility” had as many as 150 students. (Ref: The Big Bend Sentinel Marfa, Texas, VOL. 58. NO. 17, JULY 18, 1991)
So Saragosa School had as many as 150 students but never reached closed to 200 students. So building capacity for Saragosa School would have been 160 students. The school was not built to accommodate 200 students.
The days for Saragosa School were numbered as the school would eventually close down. Saragosa Elementary School closed in 1968 due to low enrollment and its students would attend classes at South Pecos Elementary School. Less than 50 students were enrolled during its closure.
Saragosa School was converted and renovated into a community center in 1987 after a devastating tornado damaged buildings and killed many people in the area. Renovations took a year to complete. By 1988, renovations to the community center were complete.
On July 10, 1987, Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD agreed to lease the Saragosa School land as a community center to the town of Saragosa, Texas. The building is currently on a 50-year lease as a community center. (Ref: School board agrees to loan Saragosa land, Karen Oglesby, PECOS, JULY 10, 1987)
1995 is when Saragosa School became a full functioning community center. Head Start began holding programs there during the 1995-1996 school year. Head Start was a previously unavailable program needed in Saragosa.
Today Saragosa School is home to Saragosa Head Start and is now a community center as well. Saragosa School is located at 204 West Main Street, Saragosa, Texas, US 79780.
No comments:
Post a Comment