Group of schoolchildren posed on steps outside for a class photo, smiling at the camera.
Circa 1924, Ruth Spencer, Lucille Spencer and Ruby Spencer – class photos contributed by Jim Elves

From the 3rd floor
of the Webb City Public Library

Old News

Neck City School consolidated with Alba and Purcell in 1930

Webb City Area Genealogical Society

Historic two-story wooden public schoolhouse with a central tower, photographed in an open yard (vintage image).
Postcard view of the Neck City School, circa 1905 – Kathy Sidenstricker collection

 Our interest this week in the Neck City school is prompted by a researcher from Seattle, Wash., who visited the Webb City Area Genealogical Society. He donated copies of the accompanying Neck City School photos to the society.

Here is a short article on the consolidation of the Neck City, Alba and Purcell schools. The Neck City school closed between 1946 and 1948.

The Neck City School consolidated with Alba and Purcell in 1930 to form District No. 46.

Voting 237 to 218, residents of the Alba-Purcell-Neck City school districts, at a special election yesterday, approved the consolidation of the three districts under the state laws, which make additional state school money available for such districts.

The district, to be known as Consolidated District No. 46, will receive approximately $5,000 in additional state aid.

The patrons of the three districts, at an election April 1, will vote upon a general school levy of $1, which will replace the levies formerly made in the various districts. Alba has had a levy of $2.25, maintaining the only high school in the district. Purcell has paid $1.20 school tax, and Neck City a levy of 65 cents.

Directors for the new district were elected yesterday.  P. Kirk and John Burnsides of Alba, J. A. Jarmin and Erwin Andrews, of Purcell and Charles Scafe and William Cathers of Neck City, were named.

The board organized by electing Mr. Jarmin as president. Bailey Hubbard, of Alba, was elected secretary. Terms of two of the directors expire April 1, two others are elected to serve until April 1931, and the other two to serve until 1932.

The consolidation gives the pupils of the three towns’ high school facilities without paying tuition.  Many of the students from Purcell and Neck City heretofore have attended the Alba high school, paying tuition.

The Carthage Evening Press
Tuesday, March 18, 1930, page 5

Learn more about Jasper County schools at Kathy Sidenstricker’s website, jaspercountyschools.org.

Group portrait of a class: 15 children and a female teacher posing outside a wooden building, arranged in rows.
Neck City School, circa 1925

Webb City Area Genealogical Society

WCAGS members staff the Genealogy Room on the third floor of the Webb City Public Library. Current hours are noon to 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month in the Genealogy Room.

Everything you want to know about Jasper County Missouri Schools is available at a site compiled by Webb City Area Genealogical Society member Kathy Sidenstricker.

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