[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 42 (Monday, April 18, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 18, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
  TRIBUTE TO KINGS PARK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT IN HONOR OF ITS 150TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______


                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 18, 1994

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Kings 
Park Central School District of its 150th Anniversary.
  The Kings Park School District is one of the oldest public school 
systems in the United States. On February 1, 1844, Kings Park held its 
first school board meeting. During these early years, like most school 
systems, it operated out of a one-room school house. By 1872, Kings 
Park had 34 students and the entire annual budget for teacher's wages 
was $292.
  By the late 1800's, the community had grown due to the establishment 
of the Kings County Farm, today known as the Long Island State Hospital 
at Kings Park. A new one-room school house was built, which covered 
grades one to eight. One teacher taught all grade levels.
  After the turn of the century, a new, two-story, four-room school 
house was built, and several teachers were now hired. However, students 
who wanted to go to high school had to attend nearby Smithtown or 
Northport High Schools. This changed in 1928 when a new school was 
built that included a high school. By now the student population had 
grown to 250.
  Since the late 1920's the Kings Park School District has grown as the 
population of the community increased significantly. This continued 
until 1987 when the district went through a major reorganization. The 
district was scaled back to two elementary schools, a middle school for 
grades 5, 6, 7, and 8, a high school. A new student population increase 
is now taking place and the district has reopened the Ralph Osgood 
Elementary School.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues in the House of Representatives 
to join me in paying tribute to District Superintendent Dr. Mary 
DeRose, School Board President Charles Gardner, and to all of the 
students, parents, teachers, administrators, and staff of the Kings 
Park School District as the district celebrates 150 years of quality 
education to our youth.

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