The superintendency is yours if you want it: The hiring of Noel Grisham
“We have a tub full of applications,” Mr. Luther (L.O.) Ramsey said. “We know about your work here. We’ve already checked you out. The Round Rock superintendency is yours if you want it.”
Ominous clouds were on the horizon: That’s a mighty rough place over there
During the spring of 1954, the polio vaccine was released for children, Bill Haley and his Comets released “Rock Around the Clock,” and Civil Rights leaders were celebrating the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka when Justices ruled unanimously that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional. Back in Round Rock, Texas however, the outlook wasn’t so optimistic.
The Mexican School
The school formed to educate Mexican-American students in Round Rock was simply known as the “Mexican School.”
From Round Rock to the Moulin Rouge: the Story of Barbette
One of the most famous persons to graduate from Rock Rock Schools was Vander Clyde Broadway, a gender fluid trapeze artist whose aerial acts thrilled crowds at the Moulin Rouge and all over Europe during the 1920s and 1930s. Known by his stage name “Barbette,” he was considered one of the greatest artists of that period.
From the Flats to the French Quarter: Artist Eugene Loving
After graduating from Round Rock High School around 1926,* Eugene Edward Loving arrived in New Orleans – drawn to the bohemian life and artistic scene that thrived in the French Quarter. Loving worked in the print mediums of etchings and serographs (silk screenings). He was active in the New Orleans art world and was a member of the New Orleans Arts and Crafts Club. His favorite subject was French Quarter architecture. Loving mainly sold his etchings from French Quarter galleries for $15 each. His work is widely available for sale today on various online auctions and marketplaces.
1945-04-01 A chance meeting on the shores of Okinawa
Chester Johnson, Leslie McNeese. William “Bo” Warren. They were teammates on the 1941-42 Bi-District Championship Dragon football team. Two years later, they found each other on the shores of Okinawa while unloading supplies – teammates again – this time while members of the U.S. Navy.
1997-11-04 Norris named interim Superintendent
Tom Norris, assistant superintendent for secondary operations, was named interim superintendent November 4, 1993 after Trustees bought out Dan McLendon’s contract for $115,000.
Enrollment history by the decade
Round Rock ISD was a small, rural school district with a student population under 1,000 students for the first sixty years of its existence. Although several smaller districts in the area consolidated with Round Rock ISD during the 1940s, a significant increase in student population did not occur since the land acquired was sparsely populated.
Hopewell School and the Rosenwald Fund
Before Old Hopewell was a district meeting space, it served as the District’s segregated school for African American students from 1922 to 1966. The building was largely financed by the Julius Rosenwald Fund.
1993-04 Archie Holmes elected to Board of Trustees
In April 1993, Archie Holmes was elected to the Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees. In doing so, he became the first African-American to serve on the Board.
Civil Rights leader had roots in Round Rock ISD
Juanita Jewell Shanks Craft, a leader in the Texas Civil Rights Movement and a recipient of several national humanitarian awards, had roots in Round Rock ISD. Craft was born in Round Rock, Texas on February 9, 1902. She was the only child of Round Rock ISD educators David Sylvestus (D.S.) and Eliza Lydia Balfour (E.L.) Shanks.
Sixth grade teacher inspired a life time love of reading
Editor’s Note: Maria Rodriguez Rogers submitted her story on February 18, 2013 as part of the District’s Centennial year celebration.Rodriquez Rogers was a student and elementary counselor in Round Rock ISD. Her life time love of reading was instilled by her 6th grade...
Former student recalls memories of Mexican School, integration and caring teachers
Also, Miss [Signe] Quick and Principal Claude Berkman didn’t tolerate bullying of Hispanic kids. Sometimes Mr. Berkman would ride the school bus to keep kids in line. He helped me understand that some people don’t see that we’re all just people. He believed that children should be taught to respect everybody.
First graduating class included WWI hero
In 1913, George Johns was a member of the first graduating class of the newly formed Round Rock ISD. Johns grew up in Round Rock on a ranch located about three miles southwest of Round Rock. After graduation, Johns enrolled in business classes at Trinity College in Round Rock and became a bookkeeper at the W.J. Walsh Limestone Company.
Round Rock ISD Veterans: Three 99ers gave all
Three boys. Three members of the Class of 1999. Three Round Rock ISD high schools. Joseph Fite, Steven Gill and Dustin Brisky made the ultimate sacrifice to our country during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
David Carlin recalls the challenges and rewards of a growing district
Even with all those students, the school was a close-knit family. Teachers steered and nurtured kids. We knew who was who. We had an environment where everybody had the best chance of learning. We had dedicated administrators and teachers. I remember Joe Lee Johnson and his wife, Mellownie Johnson, and Petronella McConico.
From a segregated school to President of the Board of Trustees
I ran for the school board and was fortunate enough to be elected. I served for 12 years, having served as president, VP and secretary of the Board. I was, in fact, the first Hispanic to be elected to the Board of Trustees.
From the Fish Bowl to the Rose Bowl
When I was a freshman I attended the “Fish Bowl” school. This was the last year that Round Rock HS had a 9th grade center due to the large number of students in the high school. It became Chisholm Trail MS the following year. When I was a sophomore, Westwood HS opened. I remember that the railroad tracks on 620 were the dividing line. There was nothing but open land between Round Rock HS and 183.
1934 graduate reflects on special teacher, football
A very special teacher I remember was Helen Booth who went to bat for Mitchell Wolf so he could graduate with our class. Mitchell was very smart, but missed a lot of school to help work on the family farm. Because of Miss Booth, Mitchell did graduate with us, and went on to be a very successful top construction foreman. One of his many success stories is the work he oversaw on the construction of Bergstrom Air Force Base that was completed in 1942.
1919-01-25 Influenza report to the Board
From the start of school on Sept. 16, 1918 through Jan. 27, 1919, about 36 days of instruction were lost due to the Influenza Pandemic. #RRISDHistory
1966-3-10 Signe Quick retires after 51 years of teaching
When Signe Quick retired following the 1965-66 school year, her 45 year legacy of teaching elementary students in Round Rock ISD came to an end.
The Legacy of Joe Lee Johnson
Joe Lee Johnson served students in Round Rock ISD for 36 years – from 1950 until his retirement in 1986 – as a principal, teacher and coach. Johnson has a long history with Round Rock ISD, first as a student at the Hopewell Negro School, and eventually serving as principal of the school through its desegregation in 1966. His wife, Mellownie also taught at the Hopewell Negro School and at Central (Berkman) Elementary School.
From Round Rock to the Pacific Front to aerospace engineering
I graduated from Round Rock High School in 1942. After the raid on Pearl Harbor, I joined the Navy. I went to San Diego for basic training and then onto fight the Japanese in the South Pacific. I served on the destroyer USS McCalla DD 488.
The story behind the first Dragon Yearbook
Dick Mayfield and I agreed that a great way to remember our fellow students’ accomplishments would be in a yearbook. RRHS had never had a yearbook. When they approached Mr. Perry, he dismissed our idea as “only a way to look at the girls’ pictures.”
Principal O.V. McDaniels originally said no to the yearbook idea, but later called us back into his office with a compromise — if we could sell $250 in ads in one hour, then we could have a yearbook.
1964-09 Desegregation begins at Round Rock High
When the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, granting equality and integration in schools, the Rev. Anthony Mays became the first and only African-American student to be allowed to enroll in Round Rock High School for the 1964-1965 school year.
1914-10-14 Teachers allowed to attend some evening activities
During a Called Meeting of the Board of Trustees on October 14, 1914 Board Minutes the following Resolution passed: "All teachers in the Public School may attend Chorus Practice at Trinity College, choir practice at any of the churches and any Exercises pertaining to...
1932-05-03 Theo Krienke begins 22 year stint as Board President
Rev. Theo Krienke was appointed to the school board on May 3, 1932. He was elected President of the School Board by his peers each year thereafter – until he resigned on April 6, 1954.
1987-07-20 Administration building enacts new smoking rules
A memorandum was released on July 20, 1987 by Deputy Superintendent Alice Brown to all administration building employees regarding a new smoking policy. "On June 8, 1987, the Board approved a policy regarding smoking in buildings. This is Board Policy CKD (Local),...
Board of Trustees member list
Local citizens began volunteering as members of the Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees since 1913.
1952-11-05 The effects of the Baby Boom
The Baby Boom is beginning to be felt in Round Rock ISD. District enrollment reaches 692 students (390 1st – 6th graders and 302 7th – 12th graders), and Trustees acknowledge overcrowding in the elementary school building. "The Enrollment Report by Mr. Perry was...
List of Superintendents
M.G. York - 1913-1914 T.A. Ferguson - 1914-1915 L.J. Waggoner - 1915-1915 W.H. Emert - 1915-1915 J.E. Cook - 1915-1916 J.T. Shaver - 1916-1918 W.E. Cantrell - 1918-1921 W.R. Woolsey - 1921-1924 C.E. Brown - 1924-1925 George B. Hatley - 1925-1926 Ed A. Gay - 1926-1929...
1930-06-03 C.O. Britt named Superintendent
During the June 3, 1930 Board of Trustees meeting, "Mr. Britt was elected superintendent for the 1930-1931 school year at a salary of $2200.00." The February 7, 1939 Minutes reported that Board President Rev. Krienke asked Mr. Britt to resign as Superintendent...
1968-07-10 Vietnam War comes to Round Rock
Robert P. Hernandez was born on August 18, 1948 in Round Rock to Florentino and Josefina Hernandez. He was the fifth child of six brothers and sisters. Hernandez attended Round Rock ISD schools and was a 1967 graduate of Round Rock High School. Hernandez joined the...
Caldwell Heights School
Caldwell Heights School was located in a small rural community north of Round Rock, one mile east of IH35 on Chandler Road (University Boulevard) also called Caldwell Heights Lane. The only original structure still standing in the once thriving farming and ranching...
History of Schools
September 1914 – A three story building opens on Anderson Avenue on the current site of Berkman Elementary. It houses white students in all grades. September 1914 – "Colored School" opens for African-American students. The school is housed in space leased from a local...
1931-05-19 Goodbye coal, hello bathrooms
Trustees approve installation of gas heat in the school building, and direct that the coal bin be converted into a girls’ restroom. The existing toilets for boys were to receive individual flush bowls. Note: The Board voted to connect the "Mexican School" to the sewer...
1925-06-22 Xenia Voigt hired
From the June 22, 1925 Board of Trustees Minutes: Xenia Voigt was elected teacher for the 1925-26 term at a salary of $90 per month. Xenia Voigt began her teaching career in the Stony Point school district as a first through fourth grade teacher. When the...
1979-05-10 Westwood High School named
Karl Hanner moved to name the new High School under construction in Anderson Mill Westwood High School. Sheridan Wingrove seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. Note: During the June 14, 1979 Board of Trustees meeting, Mr. Mike Rogers addressed the board...
1979-01-25 Norman Hall named Superintendent
On a motion and second and a unanimous vote the board awarded Dr. Norman Hall a three (3) year contract (1979-'80; 1980-'81; 1981-'82) at a salary of State-Schedule plus $12,000 per year plus auto allowances in the amount of $350 per month plus other benefits as...
1978-10-26 Soccer program established
During the October 26, 1978 meeting of the Board of Trustees, Isaac Lopez moved to authorize Coach Hill to establish a soccer program in the High School and to employ a part-time coach if necessary and to expend the amount of money necessary as presented by Coach...
1978-06-15 Vic Robertson Elementary named
Karl Hanner moved that the school in Mesa Ridge be named Vic Robertson, Jr. Elementary School and that money be appropriated to properly identify the school. John Reynolds moved to table the previous motion until the P.T.A or student body can be consulted for a name....
1978-05-11 North Oaks Elementary School is named
Isaac Lopez moved that the new school presently being built in Oak Forest be named North Oaks Elementary. John Reynolds seconded the motion which was unanimously approved by the board. North Oaks Elementary School would later be renamed Kathy Caraway Elementary...
1978-04-13 Kathy Caraway named principal of North Oaks Elementary
On a motion and second by Sheridan Wingrove and Barbara Tew and a unanimous vote Kathy Caraway was elected as principal of the new North Oaks Elementary School. Kathy Caraway opened North Oaks Elementary in 1978. Prior to coming to North Oaks, Kathy served in numerous...
1972-08-17 Dress code amended for long hair
On a motion and a second by Lopez and Olson, and a split vote (Olson, Lopez and Robertson voting for; Baker and Beck voting no) the board amended the dress code to read "The hair in back may extend to the bottom of a "regular" shirt collar. The hair must be off the...
1969-04-10 First Hispanic Trustee sworn in
Isaac Lopez, a 1958 graduate of Round Rock High School, is sworn in as the district’s first Hispanic Trustee. Lopez served from April 1969 until 1981 - a span of 12 years.
1966-03-24 The End of Segregation
In compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that outlawed major forms of racial discrimination, and the 1954 Supreme Court’s ruling of Brown vs. Board of Education – twelve years earlier – Round Rock ISD Trustees unanimously vote to close the Hopewell School and operate one junior high and one high school for all students.
1958-08-12 Elsa England Hired
Mr. Bergstrom made the motion to accept the resignation of Mrs Scurlock, Mary Jo Fuchs, and Mrs. Burk and to elect Mrs. Elsa England to teach grade 3 and Mrs. Tommye Slone to teach grade 6 for the 1958- '59 school year, seconded by Ernest Johnson. Vote carried.
1957-09-04 Grisham appointed Superintendent
REGULAR MEETING OF ROUND ROCK SCHOOL BOARD Sept. 4, 1957 The motion was made by Pete Hester that Mr. Noel Grisham be hired as Superintendent of Round Rock Independent School District, seconded by Ernest Johnson. Vote was unanimous.
1957-04-06 First woman trustee elected
Neysa Callison is elected as the first woman Trustee. She served until 1963. Callison Elementary School, opened in 2008, is named in her honor.
1948 ‘Mexican School’ ruled unconstitutional
Following a court ruling (Delgado vs. Bastrop ISD) against segregation of Mexican-American students in Texas, the Mexican School closes and students are transferred to Central (later Berkman) Elementary. The building was sold to Col. W.N. Todd, Jr., in February 1953...
1948-07-07 No livestock on school property!
Trustees vote to prohibit livestock grazing on the school campus, and to place a notice to that effect in the Round Rock Leader.
1947-11-14 Surplus WWII buildings purchased
The board discussed the advisability of accepting the offer of the War Assetts [sic] Administration with reference to the three buildings located at Camp Swift, Texas. The three buildings offered are; T-429 @$475, T-608 @ $66.95, and T-1447 @66.95. The latter two...
1943-10-05 Teacher salaries spread over 12 months
"Motion carried that teachers be paid their salary on the basis of twelve months instead of 9 months." Board Minutes from 1943
1941-02-04 Lunchrooms installed
"Motion made and carried that lunch rooms be installed in school, and that necessary changes be made in building to care for it." Board Minutes from 1941
1940-04-02 Mexican School connected to sewer system
"Motion carried that the Mexican school be connected with the sewer system." [Transcribed from graphic]: School Board Meeting April 2, 1940. The Round Rock Board met in regular session the above date with the following members present: Theo. Krienke, A.H....
1939-03-07 O.F. Perry named Superintendent of Schools
Effective July 1, O.F. (Oliver Floyd) Perry is named Superintendent of Schools with a salary of $2,350 for the 1939-40 school year. Perry previously served as a coach and principal of Round Rock High School. Perry would serve as Superintendent until August 29, 1957....
1939-01-03 Extra month added to segregated school year
"Motion was made and carried that the Negro and Mexican school terms for this year be made to run for eight months instead of seven months, it being understood that this action be for the current school term only." Board Minutes from 1939
1937-05-04 Friday Night Lights!
Lights are installed for the football field at a cost of $600 during the summer of 1937. "Report of the Football Field committee was made, and it was unanimously voted that lights be installed during the summer of 1937 and that the Board furnish $600.00 toward...
1936-03-03 Flu epidemic closes schools
It was voted that school be closed March 4th on account of flu epidemic, and reopen March 9th.
1933-10-03 Female teachers who marry could be fired
It was voted that a teacher upon marrying, will be held as breaking her contract, and that the board can terminate it by asking for resignation of teacher when taking such step during the term of contract. Note: except Miss Neese who is to marry Oct 26-33. Board...
1933-02-07 Situation of teaching Mexican children
Under the direction of Board President, Rev. Theodore Krienke, a "committee be apointed [sic] to look into the situation of teaching the mexican [sic] children." Board meeting Minutes from February 7, 1933 note that "members of the school committee on Mexican...