50 years ago: Board favors using Beermann money for school site

50 years ago Population 3,179 (U.S. Census 1960 and 1970) WPUD: "My best recommendation is to build one new high school and move the middle school to the present high school site as the state has recommended," District Superintendent Orrin Hoffman told Western Placer Unified School District board members during a drawn-out session Monday evening. Hoffman's statement came during agenda items involving budget priorities and reaffirmation of the board's position on use of proceeds of the Mary Beermann site sale, which became intermingled in a lengthy diatribe which touched on overburdened school facilities and site selection. The school district is currently under pressure from the state to decide on the disposition of the $84,000 proceeds from the sale of the Mary Beermann school site. The state had originally given the district permission to use the funds for site acquisition, but district voters twice turned down local bond and state loan measures for construction of a new high school. The alternatives now open are to return the money to the state to apply on the state loan used to construct the Carlin C. Coppin school or persuade the state board to allow the district to keep the money in a special fund for eventual site acquisition. Hoffman told board members he had written a letter to the State Department of Education stating that, although local bond issues had failed, "The problems still exist." He said he expected the matter to be placed on the agenda of the October or November meeting of the state board. It was at this point that Hoffman displayed a map delineating a proposed school site to the north and west of the present high school campus. The site encompasses some 39.5 acres, approximately half of which is owned by the district. After considerable back and forth regarding desirability of the site northwest of the present high school for future school building was discussed, Board Chairman Kelsey Spoor made the point that the availability of police and fire protection also had been considered. In favor of the site, Spoor pointed out that the district already owns approximately half of the required acres. Spoor also pointed out that housing developments in the area might expand and then "we wouldn't get the site." He also indicated previous studies had determined the site in question was "the best site." Board member Dennis Wyatt countered "You're alienating the community by pushing a bond issue down their throats." He suggested adding wings to the present Glen Edwards and high school as a means of alleviating the overcrowding problems, or dividing the Glen Edwards site with a cyclone fence and creating two elementary schools. "If you do that, you'll have spent all the money and you still won't have done the job," stated Hoffman. Trustee Stanley Nader also objected, pointing out that the state recommends not more than 680 elementary students on any one site. The Glen Edwards school currently houses a kindergarten through fifth-grade school, plus six through eight "middle school" with a total enrollment of close to 900 students. Hoffman stated that the cost of building a complete high school complex, including gymnasium, would be about $2 million, which would build all the footage the district is presently eligible for. With the district's increase in assessed valuation, it would not be eligible for state aid, the superintendent opined. The $2 million amount would build about 48,000 square feet, which Hoffman said would more than match the instructional space at the present high school. The initial phase would house 1,000 students, but the building complex would be master planned to handle additional enrollment. Pressed by Wyatt as to whether the site in question was "the site" or whether alternative sites could be considered, Hoffman said other sites could be investigated. On a motion by Trustee Lee Springer and seconded by Mrs. Bess, the board voted 4-1 to give Hoffman permission to petition the state board to allow the district to use the Mary Beermann money for a school site, with Mrs. Bess interjecting, "But not for any particular site." Wyatt cast the dissenting vote. 75 years ago Population 2,410 (U.S. Census 1940 and 1950) Nixon: Congressman Richard M. Nixon, candidate for U.S. Senator, will be in Placer County on Wednesday, Oct. 25. Mr. Nixon will start his day with a breakfast meeting in Grass Valley and then drive to Colfax where he will speak. 100 years ago Population 1,324 (U.S. Census 1900, 1910, and 1920) Armistice Day: The committee in charge of the local celebration of Armistice Day has announced that Husse's Syncopators have been secured for the big free dance to be given by James E. Fowler Post No. 264, American Legion. The dance will follow the dinner given by the ex-service men on Nov. 11. The Legion boys say the only thing cheap about their celebration will be the admission price to the dance. Beverages: Those who attend the next Pottery Dance on Oct. 24 will have nothing but ice water to drink. Town Trustee H.P. Sartain has ruled that hereafter no liquid refreshments of any kind will be allowed in the Auditorium. This will mean that at all future dance, bazaars and parties at the Civic Auditorium, no soda, punch or coffee may be carried inside the building. The ruling has been made to keep the floor clean. At the last Pottery dance, the committee states that the soft drink booth showed gross receipts of $15.80 for the Children's Playground Fund. Following his edict last week, the Pottery boys wrote the following letter to Trustee Sartain: "Dear Sir: At your request, I have taken up the matter of selling soft drinks at the Pottery Dance with some of the members of the committee. They have asked to obtain a ruling from you in writing, in regard to this matter. Of course, you understand that if the Hall Committee once makes a ruling against the serving of any liquid refreshments in the Auditorium, the Pottery Employees will be quick to feel the discrimination if this rule is rescinded in favor of any other organization." Signed, G.Z. McClelland, Chairman, Dance Committee. Dear Readers, the Native Daughters of the Golden West Placer Parlor No. 138 are seeking additional members. The fraternity is open to women born in the state of California (with some exceptions made). The NDGW was founded in 1886 following the founding of the Native Sons of the Golden West in 1875. The purpose of the NDGW is to preserve California's history and improve quality of life through education and community service. When you visit Old Town Lincoln and throughout the state, you will find plaques marking historical sites. The creation of some of the plaques were assisted through the work of the NDGW and NSGW. Scholarships from Placer Parlor No. 138 are given to students enrolled in Lincoln high schools. Lincoln's annual 4th of July pancake breakfast is hosted by both the men's and women's parlors as a fundraiser for these community-minded endeavors. Parlors are spread throughout the state of California. The word "parlor" is used because the original meeting places were in the parlors of member's homes. Thank you for the lesson, Victor Jew of the NSGW! If you are interested in becoming a member, please visit their Facebook page, Native Daughters of the Golden West, Placer Parlor No. 138. As always, thank you for reading and keeping hometown news at your fingertips via The Lincoln News Messenger. – MBO