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History of Dublin School Although the exact date that Dublin School was founded is unknown, it was in existence by 1867 when Dublin School became a part of the regular school system. At that time the two room schoolhouse was located across the road (present day Route 136) from its current site and remained there until 1915. Consolidation became a force in the early twentieth century and in 1915 the school board consisting of Philip H Close, W. Beatty Harlan, and William H. Day committed themselves to consolidation as reflected by the minutes - "A consolidation of smaller schools is always advisable where a central house can be built, thus securing better classification, better teaching, and more skillful general management." The County Commissioners agreed to place the required amount for a new consolidated school at Dublin in the levies of 1915, 1916, and 1917, provided the local community would furnish the lot and $1,000 in cash. The community supported the idea of a new consolidated school, (60% of the patrons of Scarborough district signed a petition indicating their willingness to consolidate) and land across the road from the old school building was selected (the present day site). The contract for the consolidated school at Dublin was awarded to Mr. Dennis J. Shanahan on September 27, 1915 at his bid of $7,940. The architect was Mr. Otto G. Simonson of Baltimore. The new wooded building was opened on February 1, 1916. It consisted of four regular classrooms, a large room in the basement for assemblies, and two rooms for special work. Mr. J. Willard Davis was the first principal of the new Dublin School and Misses. Nellie Scarborough, Irene Little and Anna M. Allen instructed. Dublin consolidated the school in Scarborough in 1915, and later the schools of Rock Hill (1922), Macton (1927), Trappe, Vernon (1931), and Susquehanna Hall (1940). Through the years the school has undergone a number of renovations and additions, the first in 1925 then again in 1940 when bonds were sold to fund additional classrooms and an auditorium. Bids were awarded in April 1940 and by October 4, 1940 the students were touring the new addition. Through the end of the 1948-1949 school year grades 1 through 11 were taught in Dublin School. Dublin High graduated students in the years from 1925 through 1949, excluding 1927. A change in educational requirements from an 11 to 12 grade system and the construction of a new upper county junior/senior high school (North Harford) changed forever the enrollment and grade configuration of Dublin. Beginning in the 1949-1950 school year Dublin School became an elementary school with grades 1 through 6. Sometime in the early 1950's a cafeteria was added to the school. Prior to that time the students brought their lunch or walked to the nearby store and bought lunch. In the 1960's Dublin Elementary School underwent further renovations and a major addition (a large portion of today's structure). Changes also occurred in the student population as kindergarten became a part of the public education system and the first class of kindergartners arrived at Dublin in 1968. As the county's population grew more changes were ahead for Dublin. In 1976 the opening of North Harford Middle School moved approximately half of the sixth graders from Dublin and then in 1979 with the opening of Southampton Middle School sixth grade was no longer a part of Dublin Elementary. From 1986 to present grades pre-K through fifth have been taught at Dublin Elementary School. Controversy reared in the mid 1980's as the student population of Dublin declined and the student populations in schools in other areas of the county soared. There were rumors of closure that stirred the community. The school was and still is more than an educational facility, it was and is used for community events and especially for Parks and Recreation activities. The support of local representatives not only enabled Dublin Elementary School to remain open but approval of $1.4 million dollars in funding was granted for renovations. At that time (1984) Dublin School was Harford County's oldest building still in use as a public educational facility. Of primary concern to all was the potential fire hazard of the wooden 1915 and 1925 portions of the school. Both sections were torn down in 1987 as renovations proceeded. In 1991 Dublin was one of only three schools in the county that sent students in different directions after elementary school and currently Dublin's students at the end of their fifth grade year are sent in two directions for middle and high school, either to North Harford Middle and North Harford High or to Southampton Middle and C. Milton Wright High. The student enrollment has been increasing since the 1987 renovations, at times requiring use of portable classrooms or alternate use of school space. In the 1998-1999 school year approximately 321 students attended Dublin Elementary. As we approach the twenty-first century and look back at the past eighty-four years of Dublin School there is a sense of continuity and constancy. Three and perhaps even four generations within local families have attended Dublin School, and teachers have instructed students and then those students' children through the years. Dublin School has changed and evolved to fit the time and the needs of this community since its erection on the present site and with good fortune it will stand to see even more generations walk its halls and learn in its classrooms. Sources: "Our Harford Heritage" by C. Milton Wright, "1953 Harford County Directory", Aegis.
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