[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 70 (Tuesday, June 6, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1009]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE 140TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SANTA BARBARA SCHOOL DISTRICTS

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                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 6, 2006

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the Santa Barbara 
School Districts as we celebrate the 140th anniversary of their 
founding on June 6, 1866.
  Santa Barbara's educational tradition is one of the oldest in the 
state. This tradition is rooted in the 18th century Spanish era where 
historical records indicate that in 1795 Santa Barbara had the second 
school in Alta, California (San Jose had the first, which was opened 
one year earlier). Santa Barbara's first school was located at the 
Presidio where the teacher was paid $125 per year, with each soldier of 
the Presidio paying a tribute of one dollar toward the teacher's 
salary.
  When the Santa Barbara School District was formed in 1866, County 
Superintendent Alpheus B. Thompson reported that there were three 
school districts in Santa Barbara County: San Buenaventura, Montecito 
and Santa Barbara. By 1866, the schools had moved from county control 
to control by the electorate of the city.
  The three school districts had two schools each and together there 
were a total of six teachers. By 1867, the three districts served 340 
students, with 243 of them in the Santa Barbara district. The average 
salary in the county was $70 per month for male teachers and $62 per 
month for female teachers and the length of the school year varied from 
3 to 5 months.
  In 1870 a new school house was built on Cota Street and the first 
playground was established in the city. The playground was turned over 
to the school by the city council after the school trustees agreed to 
plant at least 20 shade trees and care for their growth. Voters 
decided, in April of 1870, to impose a tax to construct Lincoln School. 
In 1884, Eugene Fawcett sold a tract of land to the school district for 
the construction of Franklin School. The school district paid $1,000 
for the property where Parma School is located.
  As a former school nurse in the Santa Barbara school district, I am 
absolutely delighted to celebrate the 140 years of strong public 
education that the district has provided. I am proud of the district 
for its vision and dedication to quality over the years and I look 
forward to the continued success of the district and its many programs. 
Congratulations on 140 years well done!

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