Ilion High School - Class of 1954

Herkimer Evening Telegram - May 26, 1954

Ilion Centralization Plan Carries 1316-62

Article 7

Photo Caption - NEW BOARD - Members of the Board of Education of Ilion's new Central School District 1 are shown following election last night in the Municipal building. Seated, left to right, are Robert Kerr, elected for one year; William Hughes, one year; Mrs. John Grid, two years; Harold Weeks, one year; Douglas Miller, two years; standing, Philip Wyckoff, district superintendent, who will call the organization meeting; Bentley Williams, who served as permanent chairman; Wagner Klippel, elected for three years; George J. Friis, three years, and George Purple, new school superintendent.

Ilion Centralization Plan Carries 1316-62

Ilion - Centralization of schools in parts of four townships was approved yesterday with an overwhelming 94.5 percent majority of a total 1,394 vote.

The vote was 1316 yes, 62 no, spoiled 13, and blank, three.

Immediately following the vote a seven-man school board was proposed and trustees were elected with contests in three of the seven positions. A total of 452 vote were cast for the board.

In position one George J. Friis, unopposed, received 398; position two, Wagner Klippel, unopposed, 402; position three, Mrs. John A. Gird, unopposed, 399; position four, Douglas Miller, 236; Kenneth Edgett, 196; position five, Harold Weeks, unopposed, 404; position six, William Hughes, 235, Miss Mary Panarites 198; position seven, Robert F. Kerr, 239 William Young, 198.

An organization meeting will be called by Philip Wyckoff, ditrict superintendent, next week, Harry Langworthy of the State Department of Education said. Langworthy was present throughout the election.

Permanent Chairman Bentley Williams introduced George Purple, new superintendent.

"It is a pleasure to see the common feeling that has been expressed on this matter of Centralization," Purple said. He was named to succeed the late Dr. Earl P. Watkin.

Williams thanked the group for the splendid cooperation. "This is a wonderful tribute to Dr. Watkin, who labored so hard and long for centralization," he said.

The new central school district will be known as District 1 of the Towns of German Flatts, Frankfort, Herkimer and Schuyler, taking in Ilion, East Frankfort, and North Ilion area, which is in the towns of Herkimer and Schuyler.

She was the winner of the DAR Good Citizenship award. Upon graduation, she plans to enter Houghton College in New York, where she will study music.

Mrs. Alice Bamford served as assistant clerk and George Anderson, principal of the East Frankfort school which is included in the proposal, listed the nominees.e Club, Library Club, the Historical Club, Choir and took part in intramural sports.

A nominating committee headed by Bernell Gilbert and comprising Mrs. George Getman, Mrs. George Rolling, Mrs. James Henry, Mrs. T. B. Stark, Mrs. Albert Bowers and William Bryant, proposed seven nominees, one for each position. Other nominations came from the floor.

Tellers were Howard Cormia, Norman Menard, John Fitzer, Carl Nehr, Mrs. Glen Bouck, Mrs. Dorothy Runge, Mrs. Betty Barger, Mrs. George Getman.

Assistant clerks were Miss Elizabeth Jochmus, Mrs. Clara Curtis, Miss Cecelia Kelpy, Eleanor Parons, Marion Hoffman, Edna Baker, Lindsay Smith, Leo Grygiel. Kathryn Hallenback, Edna Hoffman, Sarah Costella, Mary Morris, Mary Fitzpatrick, Ethel Campbell, Catherine Rahm, Alfred Williams, Robert Fay, Dorothy LaVigne, Ethel B. Bowman, Pauline Smith.