HISTORY
OF MADISON
1923 – 1952
Madison School was built in 1923 for a cost of
$95,000. The first fall there were 173
students and six teachers. Madison was a neighborhood school in an area
known as Midland Heights.
During the first 30 years the student numbers remained nearly the same
so six classrooms were sufficient and there were no additions to the building.
Madison’s history can be divided in
thirds. This was the first third.
1952 – 1979
The next third could be known as the Mrs. Clifford Era. Mrs. Lenore Clifford had the longest tenure
as principal with 27 years of service, from 1952 to 1979.
During Mrs. Clifford’s years the “baby boomers” started
school and the student population increased significantly. Another increase in numbers resulted when Central Heights School was closed and these students
transferred to Madison.
All of the additions were built during those years: the number of
classrooms tripled and the gym and LGI were also completed.
In the Globe Gazette article about Mrs. Clifford’s
retirement she said she was proud of the building additions that she and the
staff designed. However, what made her
most proud was that the staff, the Madison parents, and the children worked
together as a team.
1979 – 2007
Four principals shared the last third of Madison years. Mr. Gail Bailey was the principal for 7 years
from 1979 to 1985. During Mr. Bailey’s
time, Grant Elementary
School closed and the students joined the classes at Madison.
Mr. Keith Sersland was the next principal at Madison School from 1985 to 1989. He went on to even bigger responsibilities as
Assistant Superintendent and is our current Superintendent of Schools. We are proud that he had his start at Madison!
Mr. Michael Penca served as principal from 2002 to
2005. He brought youth, energy, and new
ideas to Madison.
Nancy Sweetman was principal from 1989 to 2002, and
2005 to 2007.
NEXT YEAR
At its peak, Madison had almost 500 students and over 50
employees. Now the enrollment has
dropped to just over 200 and the building will close as an elementary school at
the end of this year.
Just as Madison welcomed Central Heights and Grant students in the past, Madison students will be well received in
their new schools next year.
Some of the Madison students and staff will transfer to
Harding Elementary in the fall. Most of
them already know Mr. Penca and he and the others at Harding will welcome
everyone and the students will be well served.
Most of the Madison students will attend Roosevelt
Elementary next year and more than half of the teachers will work there. Mrs. Stevenson, the principal at Roosevelt, was a teacher at Madison for many years, so we know she will
make the transition a positive one for the students and staff. The Madison building will be used for several
pre-school programs.
CLOSING
We think of a school as the physical building
with bricks and terrazzo floors, but what will remain in our memories of Madison are the relationships developed in the
building: most importantly the relationship between teachers and students. The teachers at Madison, not only have had the skills of
teaching but the caring of teachers. The
parents have been wonderfully supportive of the school in many ways including Parent
Teacher Organization. The relationships
of staff to other staff members have resulted in professional growth and
lifelong friendships.
Madison has been a community for 84 years, a
caring community that had a mission. The
mission was to educate the young people in this area of town. Let’s celebrate the opportunity to have been
a part of this school and for the wonderful memories!
