Nalley Elementary School is one of the many forgotten schools of Waco. Only so much information about this school has been documented online and offline. This news article will explain and explore the history about the Nalley School bka Nalley Elementary School in Waco, Texas.
Nalley School was located in the East Riverside neighborhood located east of I 35 in Waco, Texas. Nalley Elementary School was operated by a school district called Nalley Independent School District from 1881 to 1947. Waco Public Schools (now Waco ISD) annexed Nalley School along with Nalley Independent School District into Waco Public Schools (Waco ISD) in 1947.
Nalley School was built in 1881 to serve students living in Waco, Bellmead, and La Vega. Nalley School primarily served the East Riverside neighborhood located east of I 35 in Waco, Texas. The building serving as Nalley School was built entirely out of wood on a single story building plan. Nalley School was operated by a school district called Nalley Independent School District from the beginning of 1881 to 1947.
Mildred Cecelice Davis (Modena Davis aka Mrs. Modena Mosebough) served as principal of Nalley School in Waco, Texas for many years. (Ref: https://books.google.com/books?id=BdPOAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA87&lpg=PA87&dq=%22nalley+school%22&source=bl)
Mrs. D. K Stokes was a trustee of the Nalley School during the 19th century and 20th century. Her son Billy attended Nalley School regularly. The Stokes family lived just outside the Waco city limits. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/48008163/)
According to Volume 22 of Texas School Journal, Nalley Independent School District levied a local tax of 20¢ cents on the hundred dollars valuation of property for maintenance of schools in 1904 during the 1903-1904 school year. This caused much controversy which resulted in McLennan County taking Nalley Independent School District to court over overcharging on tax valuation. The case lasted for a year and ended in 1904. Nalley Independent School District seemed to have won the case. (Ref: Texas School Journal, Volume 22)
Waco Morning News called the Nalley School “best school possible this year”. Waco Morning News called the Nalley School the best school of 1915. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/43894779/)
According to the Annual Report of the Treasurer of the State of Texas to the Governor from 1918, Nalley Independent School District had a valuation of bonds worth $5,000.00. (Ref:
https://books.google.com/books?id=sjc4AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA41&lpg=PA41)
Miss Margaret Moore aided in putting out hot school lunches for Nalley School in 1924. Popularity of the hot school lunches was increasing in McLennan County because of her. Popularity of the hot school lunches increased especially in Waco. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/43898932/)
Nalley School was responsible for hosting many health crusades during the 1920s specifically in 1925. One example is the 1925 health crusade which Waco News-Tribune wrote about under the caption of “Nalley School Plans For Health Crusade” in their newspaper. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/51393601/)
“Several matters of interest to Waco were handled at this gathering. Several Waco people spoke at the Nalley school house last night on the health crusade which is being put on by the McLennan County Health association. Dr. R. McCormick, Mrs. Margaret Conger, secretary of the association, and made yesterday by Postmaster C. V. McMahan, on receipt of a letter from Postmaster General New, who calls attention to the fact that this is an experiment, the first time that such a sweeping step has been taken.”
(Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/51413289/)
Nalley School reopened on Monday, September 18, 1933 after extensive renovation and remodeling was completed. Mrs. Louise Redding was principal of the school succeeding Mildred Cecelice Davis (Modena Davis aka Mrs. Modena Mosebough).
[Nalley school opened Monday with Mrs. C. A. Stuart, president, presiding, Rev. Puoy L, Smith spoke on "Watch " Following Mrs. Louise Redding, principal of the school, Mrs. C. A. Stuart and Mrs. Anthony Morris gave talks. Many of the parents were present. The regular P.T.A. meeting will be held Thursday it 3 p.m. Mrs, M. R. Goebel held an executive board meeting of the Sul Ross Parent-Teacher association Thursday afternoon, at her home, 810 South Eighth Street. Plans for the coming year were discussed and the first meeting scheduled for the second Tuesday in October.]
The Tom Thumb wedding was represented by the Nalley School and under the Nalley school P. T. A. as reported by Waco News-Tribune on Tuesday, November 14, 1933. Mrs. John T. Willis announced the Tom Thumb wedding which was to have been presented under the sponsorship of the Nalley School P.T. A.was postponed until a later date. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/58212766/)
“Mrs. John T. Willis announces The Tom Thumb wedding which was to have been presented under the sponsorship of the Nalley school P. T. A., has been postponed until a later date.”
Waco Public Schools (now Waco ISD) began annex schools in the La Vega area into their school district beginning in the 1946-1947 school year. Nalley School was one of those schools.
However there was much opposition about the school split and consolidation. Nalley Independent School District school board members and citizens with children enrolled in Nalley Independent School District opposed the proposed divisions of the Nalley Independent School District between Waco Public Schools and La Vega Public Schools.
[County Superintendent J. E. Batson said Saturday that school board members and citizens of the Nalley school district oppose proposed divisions of the Nalley district between Waco and La Vega. "At one time,” said Batson, "the school board favored joining the Waco district, but has never favored joining La Vega.” Batson and the county board has proposed incorporation of part of the Nalley district with La Vega, part with Waco, to solve the school transportation problem.]
150 students attending Nalley School were educated under the guidance of Mrs. Louise Dickson in 1947. Mrs. Louise Dickson had been serving as the principal and teacher responsible for educating 150 students. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/47952443/)
“At Nalley School, the 150 students under the direction of Mrs. Louise Dickson, principal, laughed and cheered at the puppet antics, of here today.”
Nalley School was an 8-grade where students in grades 1 through 8 were educated by 6 teachers in 1947 as reported by Waco Tribune-Herald. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/47958384/)
“Children living on the Nalley side of the Old Mexia Highway and the Orchard Lane Road must attend the eight-grade, six-teacher Nalley School. That district is too small physically to operate school buses. Schools do not receive State bus aid on pupils living within two and one-hall miles of the school and the Nalley district consists of only lightly more than two square miles.”
[Some of those pupils but not a sufficient number to justify bus service—live as far as two and one-half or three miles from the school. As those pupils prepare to leave for school they see the La Vega bus going down the road in front of their home. The La Vega bus must travel on the Orchard Lane and Old Mexia Roads to provide transportation for pupils living on its side of the roads.
There’s no sense in these Nalley pupils having to walk to school or ride in private autos when the La Vega bus passes in front of their homes, many parents in the area have complained to the County Board. What action has the County Board taken? Batson said it has done two things: (1) It has recommended that the Nalley district be divided with part going to Waco City Schools and part to the La Vega district. (2) It has appointed Hilton Howell, a member of the hoard who is a lawyer, to study existing school law's to determine what action the County Board may take. The first recommendation—that part of the district go to the Waco system — would not necessarily mean the end of the Nalley school, Batson stated. He said it would probably continue to operate, but under the direction of the Waco School Board. The snag in this recommendation is the Board of Aldermen, the County Superintendent said. Outside Waco Jurisdiction He explained that the Waco board could not operate a school outside the City limits.
The Board of Aldermen, Batson declared, refuses to take anv action to bring Nalley into the City limits. Batson said that," while he does know the Nalley School Board strongly opposes any effort to reduce the size of its already-small district by permitting part of its pupils to attend La Vega School, lie does not know' how Nalley residents would react, to efforts to incorporate it within Waco. Students beyond the eighth-grade level are permitted to attend either the Waco or La Vega schools, Batson stated. The County Superintendent said Howell was asked to study existing school laws since “the County Board doubts what authority it has to make transfers." No opinion has been secured from the Attorney General.]
(Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/47958566/)
[Two school districts, contend they should not be required to provide transportation to the Nalley School for their children when the La Vega School bus passes near their homes. Nalley has no bus system. Trustees there oppose any move that would reduce the size of the already-small district, Batson said. As a result, some Nalley grade school students walk more than two miles to classes each day.]
A portion of Nalley Independent School District were shifted to La Vega Public Schools (now La Vega ISD) in 1947 after the turbulent Nalley school dispute. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/48031484/)
The turbulent Nalley school dispute, which has ranged from smoldering to red hot during the past 10 years, was settled at least temporarily—Monday when the County School Board voted to transfer a section of the Nalley School District to the La Vega District. County Trustees also listened to an explanation of the "friendly” tax rate dispute that is holding up consolidation of the West District with the school-less Hoen District and heard County Superintendent J. E. Batson propose that the high school divisions of 10-grade schools be abolished. Transfer Only Formality Approval of the transfer of certain Nalley territory on the Nalley-La Vega border to La Vega was actually only a formality. The County Board had voted at an earlier meeting to approve the transfer once its proponents had necessary field notes in order. The notes were presented at the Monday meeting by a group seeking the change. Proponents of the transfer said the La Vega bus passed along the boundary, while the small Nalley district had no bus service. As a result, they argued, children were forced to walk as much as two miles to the Nalley School.
Part of Nalley Independent School District was out of the city but was within the Waco school district of Waco Public Schools (Waco ISD). (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/47987587/)
Parts of the Gurley, Alta Vista, MacArthur and Nalley school districts are out of the city but within the Waco school district. Formerly, the schools have used county' valuations for this property and the county’s tax formula uses 60 per cent of the 1942 construction costs. Now in order to equalize taxes in the Waco school district, these valuations will be figured like others in the district, 60 per cent of 1946 construction costs. It results in more of an increase for these areas since the past taxes were not as high as in the city. Crews said the same formula will be used over the entire Waco school district whether the property is in the city or the county.
Nalley School went under some extensive renovation and remodeling in 1950 as advertised in the Waco News-Tribune newspaper. New asphalt tile floors were installed. Plumbing was upgraded while electrical fixtures were replaced. Obsolete rest room fixtures were replaced and new shades were added throughout the building. The exterior was painted that summer. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/48009423/)
“Obsolete rest room fixtures will be replaced, and new shades added throughout the building. On the list for Nalley School are asphalt tile floors, plumbing, electrical fixtures, acoustical board ceilings exterior and interior panels.”
Several trees were uprooted on the school grounds of Nalley Elementary School during the storm of 1957. The lights went out at Nalley Elementary School during the thunderstorm. Some car windows were smashed by the wind. Some cars were "hubcap deep” after the thunderstorm had passed. Wind blew some doors off and blew lots of water into the school. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/81685825/)
Mrs. Florence Marie Currie was appointed principal at Nalley Elementary School on July 16, 1966. Mrs. Florence Marie Currie was formerly an elementary counselor. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/waco-news-citizen-jul-16-1966-p-8/)
Black teachers were hired at Nalley Elementary School and Bells Hill Elementary School in 1966. This marked progress towards the first steps of integration in Waco ISD schools. However the student population of Nalley Elementary School was over 80% percent minority at the time.
However Nalley Elementary School was closed by Waco ISD in 1967 due to decreasing enrollment. Enrollment had decreased to about 100 students and there were simply not enough students for the classrooms. The other reason why this school was closed was due to aging infrastructure. Nalley Elementary School was old and badly designed as described by Superintendent Downing. The school lacked a cafeteria and had only a makeshift library. Waco ISD was responsible for arbitrarily closing Nalley Elementary School. (Ref: https://baylor-ir.tdl.org/baylor-ir/bitstream/handle/2104/10172/bu-etd-the-gong_1987.pdf%3Fsequence%3D1+&cd=45&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-b-1-d)
[Downing said Nalley was going to be closed anyway for its enrollment had decreased to about 100 students and there were simply not enough students for the classrooms. The University High sector did not need Nalley, which was old and badly designed.]
The Board's proposed closing of Nalley Elementary School and Sanger Avenue Elementary School caused much controversy. So as a result, Nalley Elementary School was closed and Sanger Avenue Elementary School remained open to please the taxpayers. Nalley Elementary School was a predominantly black school at the time. (Ref: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/495/499/255486/)
Appellants object specifically to the closing of four predominantly black schools, two at the elementary school level (Nalley and Sanger Avenue) and two at the junior high school level (Wiley and West Junior High Schools) and the conversion of two predominantly black elementary schools (Oakwood and Sul Ross) into integrated kindergarten and 6th grade centers. The junior high school closings necessitated the redistribution of students to the remaining junior high schools in the four quadrants. The closing of Sanger effected a redistribution in the Jefferson-Moore Sector and the remaining closing and school conversions effected a redistribution in University High Sector, all at the elementary school level. The student displacement created by the closing and conversion measures allegedly deprived minority students of neighborhood schools and heightened the need for bussing of minority students.
The Board's proposed closing of Nalley and Sanger Avenue Elementary Schools and West and Wiley Junior High Schools cannot withstand scrutiny if, as appellants maintain, such closings were for racial reasons. See Stout v. Jefferson County Bd. of Education, 483 F.2d 84, 86 (5th Cir. 1973); United States v. Texas Education Agency, supra; Lee v. Macon County Bd. of Education, supra; Allen v. Bd. of Public Instruction of Broward County, Fla., 432 F.2d 362 (5th Cir. 1970); Carr v. Montgomery County Bd. of Education, 429 F.2d 382 (5th Cir. 1970). The district court's truncated explanation for approving the school closings was as follows:
'Of the four schools closed, two (Nalley and Wiley Jr. High) are predominantly black schools, and two (Sanger Ave. and West Jr. High) possess racially mixed student bodies, are located in racially mixed neighborhoods, and are not identified in either the black or the white community as predominantly or historically black schools. Thus, we have no impermissible closing of formerly black schools for racial reasons.'
The challenge to the closing of the Nalley School is ill-founded. It lacked a cafeteria and possessed only a make-shift library. Moreover, its capacity (100) was so limited that the costs of operating it were prohibitive. Since no other school in the district was of comparable capacity, the Board's decision to terminate operation at Nalley was clearly warranted. The same conclusion cannot, on this record, be drawn with respect to the other three schools.
The Nalley school was situated in the University High Sector, West in the Jefferson-Moore Sector and Wiley in the Richfield Sector. It would appear from the record that the Sanger Avenue school was situated in the Jefferson-Moore Sector. Although historically white schools, Nalley and Wiley were predominantly black and Sanger Avenue and West Junior High were racially mixed at the time of their closing.
On June 3, 1973, a school integration proposal was announced. As was stated in the proposal, "It is not a plan completely favored by any of the parties in the litigation, but felt to contain a minimum of features to all." The plan also stated that, "To achieve the best degree of racial mix, the initial portion of the plan is aimed at school attendance zones and then to promote the interaction of students of all races and ethnic backgrounds appropriate to a unitary system, attention is drawn to collateral guidelines, and programs. (Ref: Waco Times, Desegregation Proposal Announced, June 3, 1973)
The proposal was based on a four high school sector concept, meaning all 4 of Waco high school sectors would remain open as graduating institutions with elementary and junior high schools feeding them. Under the plan, 8 elementary schools and junior high schools would be closed in 1974, including Nalley Elementary School, Oakwood Elementary School, Kirk-Wilson Elementary School, Ross Elementary School, R. L. Smith Elementary School, G. L. Wiley Junior High School, West Waco Junior High School, and Spring Elementary School. (Ref: Waco Times, Desegregation Proposal Announced, June 3, 1973)
Under student assignment in the plan, the University High School sector would consist of students living in those areas. As under the student assignment in the plan, the University High School sector would consist of students attending classes at Vista Elementary School, Bells Hill Elementary School, Gurley Elementary School, Kendrick Elementary School, Kirk-Wilson Elementary School, Nalley Elementary School, Oakwood Elementary School, and Sul Ross Elementary School. (Ref: Waco Times, June 1, 1973)
In the plan, the plaintiffs criticized the school district's plan for retaining all the white schools while arbitrarily closing racially identifiable black schools such as Nalley Elementary School and Oakwood Elementary School. The reason given by the US District Court for approving the closing of the four schools was that Nalley Elementary School and G. L. Wiley Junior High School were black.
District Judge Jack S. was mentioned in denying the rehearing request, however, the Court did not mention its original concern about the closing of West Waco Junior High School, G. L. Wiley Junior High School, Nalley Elementary School, and Sanger Avenue Elementary School which, the Court said, "deprived of minority students of neighborhood schools and heightened the need for busing of minority students." The Court stated that it had modified its opinion handed down in May to approve the provisions of the Waco school integration plan with respect to the 11th and 12th grades at Richfield High School. Only to this approval was that the course pairing for the 12th grade of Richfield High School. (Ref: https://baylor-ir.tdl.org/baylor-ir/bitstream/handle/2104/10172/bu-etd-the-gong_1987.pdf%3Fsequence%3D1+&cd=45&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-b-1-d)
The McLennan County Juvenile Probation Department appeared before the board to request the use of Nalley Elementary School in August of 1973. They proposed to open a Junior Achievement Center with the capacity for 100 students. They were located at 1200 Clifton Street and had been in operation for three years. However board members present did not take action on their request. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/42888278/)
[The County Juvenile Probation Department also appeared before the board to request the use of Nalley Elementary School which is being closed They proposed to open a Junior Achievement Center with the capacity for 100 students They are currently located at 1200 Clifton Street and has been in operation for three years Mrs Della Whately, Director of Special Education, for the Waco schools cited the enter as being “very successful “ Board members present did not take action on the requests for the 1973-74 school year.]
Superintendent Downing was instructed to work out an arrangement with Juvenile Achievement Center officials for that agency’s proposed occupation of the Nalley Elementary School facility. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/65372397/)
In 1976, Rev L V White of Rose of Sharon Baptist Church (Rose of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church) planed to purchase the Nalley School property including the building. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/43710880/)
“The board took no action on a proposal by Rev L V White of Rose of Sharon Baptist Church to purchase the Nalley School property. McGee told trustees bids would have to be taken before a sale Rev. Robert Gilbert was appointed by the board to be a representative to help select a MH-MR board member to fill the vacancy of Alan Horton.”
“McGee read a letter to the board stating the desire of the Rose of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church to purchase of the old Nalley School in southeast Waco. The letter was signed by L D White pastor of the church.”
The administration has concluded their portion of the study and requested the board to advertise for bids for these services in October 1976. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/56025217/)
“The administration has concluded their portion of the study and will request the board to advertise for bids for these services. Rev L D White and members of the Rose of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church will appear before the board to discuss the purchase of the Nalley School property.”
However Nalley Elementary School needed some work done before being sold at a fair market price value. Minor repairs needed to be made on the roof and buckling floors. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/56025596/)
Ultimatley the Nalley School was not sold to Rev L V White of Rose of Sharon Baptist Church and Fellowship Missionary Baptist Association. Superintendent Frank Kudlaty rejected the $5,000 bid and land in the Riverside neighborhood of East Waco in 1984 even though they received a bid for the same property several years ago. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/56103656/)
“Superintendent Frank Kudlaty recommended the board reject a bid of $5,000 for the old Nalley School building and land in East Waco. The bid from Fellowship Missionary Baptist Association, was rejected”
The board rejected a bid of $4.028.20 for the Nalley School property near I 35 at the end of 1984 even though they received a bid for the same property several years ago. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/56104133/)
The Waco Citizen newspaper reported that the former Nalley School was sold to Steve Berggren on a high bid of $10,200. Waco ISD sold the property to Steve Berggren in 1985. Steve Berggren was officially the owner of Nalley School. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/42571655/)
“The former Nalley School in East Waco was sold to Steve Berggren on a high bid of $10,200. The building will be used as a warehouse.”
Nalley Elementary School was located at 1015 East 7th Street, Waco, Texas, US 76704.
No comments:
Post a Comment