Brief Early History of School

Prepared by, Norman L. Newton, November 24, 2007

            The education of children living in Valley View has existed since 1873.  At that time it was customary in small towns for the education of children to be governed locally. 

            An election was held on June 7, 1902 to see if the Valley View citizens of the Valley View Common School district No 42 were in favor of incorporating.  When the ballots were counted 61 were for incorporating and one was against.  Therefore the County Judge of Cooke County declared the newly formed school district be named “Valley View Independent District.”   An election was held the same day voting $10,000 of bonds to build a new school building which was completed in 1903.  This school building which was located north of the town square served the community until it was razed in 1938 when another school was built at the south part of town

where the school campus is still located today.

            The first graduating class was in 1907.  These students graduated at that time in the 10^th grade.  Prior to that time the students just quit when they had completed the work that the school offered.  It was not until 1934 when the eleventh grade began.             

Ex-Graduates Have Organization

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                         X. AND R. ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED IN 1932.

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On November 11, 1932, a group of former teachers and graduates, along with the faculty and seniors of that year met in room 104 in the old red brick school house for a banquet.  F. J. Clement, a former superintendent, and at that time was County Superintendent of Cooke county,   acted as toastmaster.  Much interest was shown, and many letters and telegrams were read from those who had been invited, expressing their regrets because they could not be present.  Those most distant letters came from J. D. Cox, a former teacher.

As a result of this get-together The X. and R. Association was formed.  This association takes in all members of the faculty and all the seniors that have graduated from the Valley View High School. The seniors are initiated into the association every year during their senior year in the Valley View School. 

An annual banquet is held every year during the Christmas holidays and ex-seniors and ex-teachers from far and wide are always present to renew old acquaintances, and on many of the banquet night’s members of the first graduating classes have been present.

The officers that have served in this organization through the years are named below:

1932-33.  President, Jimmie Nichols; vice-president, Mrs. Chas. McAteer, and secretary and treasurer, Miss Callie Miller.

Note:   Want it to be understood the X & R Association was started when the school was north of our town square.  (See picture)  Norman L. Newton
 

“X. & R. AWARD RECIPENTS”

Note:  This award was established by the officers of the 1976 X&R Committee: 

            President - Jack Highfill  (Class of 1967)

            V-President – Norman L. Newton  (Class of 1967)

            Secretary/Treasurer – Natalie Newton Massengale  (Class of 1961)

Banquet Year

1976          Lena Marie Clodfelter (Teacher)

1978          Randolph & Bernice O'Brien (Superintendent & Teacher)

1980          Laura Bryant (Cook, Friend)

1982          John Kubicek (Janitor and Bus Driver)

1984          Nell Scott (Teacher)

1986          H. M. Taylor (Principle & Teacher)

1988          Estella Mask Hand (Teacher)

1990          Dorothy Chisam  (School worker, Friend)

1992          Bob Andrew (Agriculture Teacher)

1994          Laura Bryant  (Cook, Friend)

1996          Nelda Hudspeth (Home Economics Teacher)

1998          Yuton Harris (V.V. Class of 1950, Bus Driver)

2000          John Kassen (Football Coach & Teacher)

2002          E. F. Carson (County School Superintendent & Friend)

2004          Jane Mallicote Alexander (V.V. Class of 1957, Friend)

2006          David S. Clifton (V.V. Class of 1961, Board of Education)

2008          Jimmy Prescher (V.V. Class of 1967, Friend - faithful support of the football team)

2010          Benny West  (V.V. Class of 1964, Principle)

2012           Mark Davidson (Football Coach & Teacher)

2014          Troy & Phyllis Moon (V.V. Class of 1968, Maintenance and secretary)

2016          Susan Smith (V.V. Class of 1983, Principle)

 

2018          Ava Nickerson (V.V. Class of 1972, Teacher)

2022          ?