Dr. Marion Donaldson
"Marion Donaldson"
Groundbreaking for the new junior high school, now Amphitheater High School.
Board member Stewart Udall is fourth from the left.
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Dr. Marion Donaldson
"Marion Donaldson"
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From the summer of 1951 until spring of 1967 Dr. Donaldson would bring innovation in educational programs that received national recognition; he also championed the construction of new schools in a community with a very limited tax base. The issue would be to gather support for new bond issues and bring the factions together that had defeated previous funding proposals. A new junior high school would be constructed with federal funds and later bond money. By 1956, the junior high on Yavapai would become Amphitheater High and the “H” building on Prince Road would be Amphitheater Junior High.
Groundbreaking for the new junior high school, now Amphitheater High School. Board member Stewart Udall is fourth from the left. |
The reality of unbelievable growth in northwest Tucson brought in new residents wanting new schools, long-term residents adopting a new attitude of pride for their school system, and the passage of new bond proposals. There was a continuing effort to purchase land for future school sites in the face of rising land costs; in 1955 a 20-acre parcel north of Oracle and Ina Road cost the District $7,000 and was considered too far north and too costly. In 1958, Lawrence W. Cross became assistant superintendent. The year before, Helen Keeling retired after 29 years with Amphitheater District.
The construction of Walker School in 1963 brought the “open classroom” and educational innovations to the District under the leadership of Evelyn Carswell as principal. The concept for learning at Walker School was focused on the individual student and individualized schedules, small and large group settings, and an ungraded school. These innovations brought national attention to Amphitheater District but eventually these changes were perceived as too radical and a return to more traditional educational structure was the final outcome and really paralleled the decade of the 1960s.
During Dr. Becken's five-year tenure more bonds were approved by voters for new school construction and renovation projects for older schools in the District. Dr. Becken emphasized a “team approach” for the District and the development of a Community Schools Program that would offer learning experiences for students and adults throughout the community.
The Community Schools program began with a Mott Foundation grant and a philosophy of providing educational opportunities for the entire community during the evening and a greater utilization of school facilities. Richard Moyle became director of community schools and utilized his knowledge of community resources and salesmanship to develop extensive learning opportunities throughout the District.
In 1973, Lawrence W. Cross retired as assistant superintendent after many years of leadership, especially in the area of finance. This same year, Dr. Thomas E. Neel became superintendent and began a “management by objective” approach to deal with District issues; educational objectives were established and strategies to reach these goals were put in place. “Town Hall” sessions began in the 1970s to involve the community in District issues and goal setting and later to assess the progress toward these established goals.
In 1975, Mrs. Margaret Brown, principal of Prince Elementary for 24 years and with a total 31 years in the District, retired.
