Franklin Elementary

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Franklin Elementary School, named after Benjamin Franklin, dates back to 1886 when a two-story brick building replaced the one-room frame structure on the present site. Later additions in 1901, 1905 and 1911 increased the number of classrooms from six to sixteen. Franklin School had an enrollment of 605 (grades one through eight) during the 1911-12 school year. Grades seven and eight were moved to intermediate school in 1921. Franklin PTA was organized in 1921-22 with Mrs. W.A. Mendenhall as president. Enrollment increased to 771.

In 1940-41, the Franklin PTA engaged Glenn Schaeffer, architect, to inspect the building. After reporting Franklin as a fire trap and generally in an unsafe condition, the Wichita Board of Education called for a bond election of $512,500 for Irving, Franklin, Kellogg and Harry Street schools. The bond issue passed on November 3, 1940 and construction on a new building started on April 18, 1941.

During construction, students attended classes in ten different schools as well as Trinity Methodist Church. Miss Gertrude Dowd became known as the "Circuit Riding Principal" as she had to ride a bus from school to school to fulfill her supervisory duties. The present building was open for classes on October 20, 1941. Official dedication services were held November 24, 1941.

During the year 1954-55, several portable classrooms were added to the Franklin site. Special education classes were housed at Franklin during the years 1953 to 1965. Franklin became a Title I school during the 1965-66 school year. In 1967, the library was enlarged to its present size.

In 1980, the office was remodeled and in 1983, alterations were made to the teacher's lounge. In 1992, the boiler was replaced. In 1995, all windows were replaced with thermal pane steel windows.
At the beginning of the 1988-89 year, sixth grade students were incorporated into the middle school program, leaving a K-5 enrollment of approximately 250 students.

In 1995, Franklin shared a principal with Field Elementary School.

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 utilized Spangenberg Phillips Architecture to develop Franklin's Bond Issue project. Conco, Inc. completed the construction, during which Franklin received a new addition that included 5 classrooms, a library, a multipurpose room, and a new kitchen. Renovation to classrooms, student support and the 2nd floor restrooms were also included. The remodel and addition cost $2,471,600 to complete. The Bond project dedication ceremony was held October 24, 2002.

In the following school year, the district purchased property at 119 S. Martinson for $55,000 to replace property that was lost during the Bond construction. This property is adjacent to Franklin and is used as a playground area.