Peterson Elementary

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It all started in the year 1875 when Daniel Peterson donated some of his farmland for a school. It is believed the very first school was a shed-type building which was probably used until 1898 when a new building was erected and named in honor of Daniel Peterson. This white frame structure was used until 1931 when the school moved into what today is affectionately called "Little Red." This red brick, one-room school with a basement is still in use. The present building was erected in 1952. Additions were made in 1955, 1958, 1959, 1976 and 1987. The last addition included 11 classrooms, a P.E. office, an enlargement of the gym and a new office.

Peterson School was originally District 69 and was known as the Prairie Rose School. The name was changed to Peterson at a later date. Mary (Mollie) Benton, who was the first teacher, began teaching December 13, 1875, and taught three months for $75. During the early years the school term was three or four months, and the going salary for teachers was $25 per month. At the annual meeting on August 9, 1883, the decision was made to have seven months of school: a four-month term to begin the first Monday in October and a three-month term to begin the first Monday in March.

By 1952, the community was growing by leaps and bounds. It was not unusual for a class to begin the school year with 45 students and then double in size by the time the second semester rolled around. Sometimes classes attended school in shifts. To handle the growing population, three more schools were constructed: Benton, Kensler and McCollom. Mr. W.B. Lewis was superintendent of the four schools which then made up District 69.

In 1960, the patrons of the school district voted to be annexed to Wichita School District No. 1 which later became Unified School District No. 259. At the beginning of the 1988-89 year, sixth-grade students were incorporated into the middle school program. Enrollment peaked at 660 in 1992-93 and has declined since to an average of 550 students.

In April 2000, the voters of the Wichita School District approved a $284.5 million bond issue. The projects began in the fall of 2000 and were completed over the next five years. The plan built 19 multipurpose rooms, upgraded science labs, replaced portable classrooms with permanent construction, improved handicap accessibility to all buildings, rebuilt five existing elementary schools, added a new elementary and middle school, expanded seven other elementary schools and provided nine new libraries as well as the expansion of nine others. Building infrastructure in 82 buildings was also upgraded, including the replacement of antiquated plumbing, updates and expansion of electrical systems, replacement of inefficient or broken windows and doors, upgrades of heating and cooling systems, and asbestos abatement when required.

The district authorized Spangenberg Phillips Architecture and Rainbow Construction Co., Inc. to complete the Peterson Bond project. With this, the school received a new addition including a library and five classrooms. Renovations were also made to the library and student support area, and the kitchen was expanded.