History of Gordonier School in Romulus, Michigan explained and explored.

Gordonier School is one of the forgotten schools of Romulus, Michigan. This news article will explain and explore some of the history behind Gordonier School.

Romulus Public Schools chartered and established Gordonier School as an elementary school called Gordonier Elementary School in 1957. Construction of Gordonier School began in 1958. Gordonier School was a handsome brick structure which was built in 1958. Gordonier School would be opened in 1959. There seemed to have always been some sort of activity on nearly every foot of floor space. There were no empty halls, or rooms, or offices. A comer of one hall makes a fine private teaching station for a paraprofessional. All in all, Gordonier School is a place where things happen and the presence of all these people and activities have greatly enriched the programs experienced by the Gordonier children. (Ref: https://archive.org/stream/Romulus041970/04-08-1970_djvu.txt)

Dolores A. Wells was appointed principal of Gordonier Elementary School in 1959. Mrs. Wells served as principal of the American Schools, Mogadisco, and Somali Republic, for the past two years prior to 1959. She also taught in the Livonia elementary schools and at Northern Michigan University's laboratory school. (Ref: EMU Alumni Magazine, April 1968)

Gordonier Elementary School served as a clinic for polio vaccinations during the mid-1960s. Gordonier School was one of the Western Wayne County clinics. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13816051/detroit-free-press/)

Gordonier Elementary School also had an ice skating rink too. That was not unusual for the schools owned and operated by Romulus Public Schools. There were many ice skating rinks in their public schools. (Ref: https://archive.org/stream/Romulus021987/02-04-1987_djvu.txt)


Mrs. Dolores A. Wells, Principal of Gordonier, gave a brief resume of programs which have been instituted at Gordonier Elementary School in 1969. Which have been extremely well received both by the staff and the parents. Namely the breakfast program in which served a hot breakfast to a 1/5th of the students enrolled at Gordonier Elementary School. The Cross Age Program is a curriculum program involving a tutor-like relationship between older children and younger children and school personnel. The teaching of ceramics two nights a week and the physical education sessions on Saturday. The “Penny Carnival” sponsored by the children for the purpose of raising money for Biafran Children. (Ref: https://archive.org/stream/romulus051969/05-07-1969_djvu.txt)

9 paraprofessionals began assisting teachers at Gordonier Elementary School in 1970. These paraprofessionals were hired and trained under state and federal programs and help free classroom teachers to spend more time with individual students. (Ref: https://archive.org/stream/Romulus041970/04-08-1970_djvu.txt)

In fact, Gordonier is a pretty interesting place just to visit. On certain days of the week, a stately lady wearing a turban and a beautiful dress arrives. She is Mrs. Pumla Kisosonkole from Uganda and she assists those teachers who are working on units about Africa. Mrs. Kisosonkole has traveled extensively and brings with her many experiences to share with the Gordonier youngsters. Those classes that are studying units on Asia are assisted by Vichitr Sinsiri, who is in America for only 10 months as part of a Fullbright-Hays Exchange Program.

Overpopulation of the schools was an issue Romulus Public Schools had been facing in 1970. So as a result, The children were being bussed out to Gordonier Elementary School. (Ref: https://archive.org/stream/Romulus091970/09-23-1970_djvu.txt)

There were children from low income families living area who had been attending Gordonier Elementary School by 1971. The youth from these low families had been receiving various forms of public assistance. However employment was discouraged to youth who have brothers and-or sisters employed in government funded programs. (Ref: https://archive.org/stream/Romulus061971/06-02-1971_djvu.txt)

Students of Gordonier Elementary School were contributing and doing their share to aid the Romulus Help Center, located at 35085 Goddard Road in Romulus, Michigan on the date of Wednesday, February 23, 1972. An apple and orange sale was conducted to raise funds for the Romulus Help Center. (Ref: https://archive.org/stream/Romulus021972/02-23-1972_djvu.txt)

Two portable classrooms were hauled to Gordonier Elementary School in 1972 to accommodate the growing enrollment over the 1971-1972 school year. (Ref: https://archive.org/stream/Romulus091972/09-06-1972_djvu.txt)


Mrs. Diane Boger discussed with the Board of Education about closing Gordonier Elementary School for utilization purposes. (Ref: https://archive.org/stream/Romulus111976/11-17-1976_djvu.txt)

“Mrs. Lynn Slaughter, Mr. James Hollis and Mr. Dan Boyd expressed their concerns of the possibility of closing all buildings at 5:00 P. M. and the affect it would have on their programs; specifically, the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, etc. Supt. Garfield stated that the closing of the buildings was one of the proposed budget cuts, but at this time, had not been finalized upon. Mrs. Diane Boger discussed with the Board of Education and quoted figures on building utilization. She suggested that we close Beverly, Gordonier, Hayti and Romulus Elementary. Mr. James Sullivan, Romulus Athletic Association, presented a check in the amount of $557.00 to the Board of Education for the 7th, 8th and 9th grade Football Program.”

However Gordonier Elementary School did not close down and operated for 2 more years until 1978.


Gordonier Elementary School was determined and listed as one of the schools determined to have high concentrations of students from low income families in 1978 during the 1978-1979 school year. There were children from low income families living area who had been attending Gordonier Elementary School in 1978. The youth from these low families had been receiving various forms of public assistance. (Ref: https://books.google.com/books?id=tw3r2cBwFoUC&pg=PT18&lpg=PT18&dq=%22gordonier+elementary+school%22+romulus&source=bl&ots=BZGUpJMSML)

Gordonier Elementary School was shut down in 1978. The Board of Education discussed plans and alternate uses of the former Gordonier Elementary School in 1978. (Ref: https://archive.org/stream/Romulus051981/05-27-1981_djvu.txt)

“The committee recommended investigating the sale or alternate use of the Gordonier and Harrison buildings. Plans are now being completed between the School and City to lease the Romulus Elementary building to the Romulus Police Department.”


Michigan Para-Professional Institute began using former Gordonier Elementary School as a training campus in 1981. Michigan Para-Professional Institute provided medical training and dental care. Michigan Para-Professional Institute operated on the former Gordonier Elementary School property throughout the 80s. This institute was privately owned. (Ref: http://www.educationdepartment.org/info/170949)


EMPLOYEE LEASING INC. rented the property on a lease from 1985 until dissolving in 1988. Shirley A. Alvarez. (Ref: https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_mi/800120129)

Gordonier Elementary School was demolished in 1997. All that is left of Gordonier School is an annex building at 8100 Middlebelt Road which is now owned by a transportation company called P A M Transport. P A M Transport, Inc has been owning this property since the 2002-2003 fiscal year.


Gordonier School was located at 29814 Smith Road, Romulus, Michigan, US 48174. Their other address was 29841 Smith Road, Romulus, Michigan, US 48174.