[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 142 (Tuesday, September 20, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHAZY CENTRAL RURAL SCHOOL 
                                DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 20, 2016

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the 
100th anniversary of the Chazy Central Rural School District in Chazy, 
New York. The Chazy Central Rural School District was the first 
centralized rural school district in the United States. Since its 
founding in 1916, through the consolidation of eleven rural schools, 
Chazy Central has given children in the community the educational 
advantages they would receive living in a large city.
   The new school opened its doors on November 14, 1916, and was soon 
recognized throughout the world as an extraordinary school for a town 
of 800 residents. The building itself stood five stories tall and 
supported a bell tower that was seventy-one feet higher than the fifth 
floor roof. The school consisted of forty-four rooms, and boasted an 
English room modeled in the Tudor style, an auditorium capable of 
seating 1100 people, and two gymnasiums and swimming pools. There was 
also a fully equipped nursing office and a dentist on staff to ensure 
that the students had access to the best healthcare.
   At the time of its founding, Chazy Central had special departments 
in agriculture, industrial arts, household arts, library, music, and 
physical education. The student body consisted of eight grades and a 
four year high school program.
   Today, the Chazy Central Rural School District consists of an 
elementary school and a junior-senior high school, and the school 
district remains committed to providing students with an excellent 
education and the resources they need to become successful adults. 
Beginning in elementary school, students have access to computer labs 
and music and art classes, and as they grow, are afforded opportunities 
like travelling to Model United Nations Conferences and participating 
in different sports programs.
   As the first rural school district in the United States, Chazy 
Central School District has successfully educated students for 100 
years. Congratulations to the Chazy Central Rural School District. I 
want to wish its teachers, administrators, students, and alumni all the 
best in the future.

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