The 1938 what Stratford achieved by centralizing its school districts into one.

 

In 1938 the Oppenheim and Ephratah school districts  were considering centralization.   Stratford had centralized its school districts with the building of the Stratford Central School.   To understand better what centralization would mean to the Oppenheim and Ephratah school districts if centralized, an invitation was extended to Professor Marvin B. Loveys, the principal at the Stratford Central School to speak at the Lotville Grange on the achievements that resulted when Stratford centralized its school districts.    The 16-piece Stratford Central School Orchestra played at the meeting.

 A few of the interesting points covered in the speech on the accomplishments of Stratford Centralizing its school districts:

Before centralization, only two children could play a musical instrument.  By 1938 over thirty students received daily individual instruction.   This was a huge achievement.

The tax rate dropped significantly from $22.50 in 1928 to $7.60 per thousand assessment after centralization.

Stratford Central School was one of the smallest central rural schools in the state, with a population of 125 students, of which 20 – 30 are high school students.

Stratford Central School offered 20 secondary class courses.   Due to the smallness of the classes and individual instruction, the regents average for the school was 99 percent.

Prior to centralization 95 percent of the students dropped out after the eighth grade.  With only a few continuing to secondary education in other towns.   Since 1933 more students continued to a higher education, including universities. 

Youth were more ambitious and progressive.

Stratford Students participated in many group endeavors.  They published a weekly newspaper which served the entire community.  

 They had a student council, glee club, orchestra, dramatic club, 4-H club and Boy Scouts.

 

The Stratford Central School continued to be a focal point in the town until its closing in 1984