EDUCATION

Macedonia boasted the first school in present Brutus. The building probably constructed well before 1808 on a site north of 8707 Auburn-Weedsport Road. The second school building was built of brick and was located at 2485 Hamilton Road - the point at which Rude Street originally joined Hamilton Road after continuing on west over the hill. Another school building was located at 2702 Furnace Street, the site of the present Baptist Fellowship Building. Prof. Hopkins states that still another schoolhouse was located north of the village. As time went by additional "Common" schools were built about the town. The 1875 atlas of Cayuga County shows eleven districts. Prof. Hopkins states further that in 1846 "several districts were united to form District No. 8" and a new two story building was constructed at 8928 Jackson Street. In 1871 a third story was added to accomodate a high school and the first class was graduated in 1875.

As time passed the 1846 structure became obsolete and in 1907 the decision was made to construct a new building. Work was completed during 1908 and the first graduation held in the spring of 1909. The new building was located at 8954 Jackson Street and in remodeled form is serving as an elementary school.

The Graduating Class of 1895

In 1986 an addition was built onto the 1908 building. A gymnasium, homemaking facility and new class rooms were constructed. Other improvements included a new heating system and flush toilet facilities. Other rooms were changed to provide a better teaching environment.

The Central Rural School movement was catching on rapidly in the state in the 1930's. Centralization supplied additional financing for schools willing to provide enlarged curricula including Vocational Agriculture. In 1939 the people in the proposed area voted to establish a new central district. Common school districts in the town of Brutus, Cato, Conquest, Sennett and Throop combined. with the Weedsport School to form Weedsport Central School. The new building was ready for occupancy after Thanksgiving Day in 1940. When school opened in September of that year classes were' being held in just about every available building in the village. Churches accomodated most of the 9fade children. High School was a different problem! The Zimmer theatre was the study hall. The Grange Hall was a-large classroom. Vocational Agriculture classes were held in a former photographer's studio south of the theatre. The building was heated by a little coal burning brooder stove. Participants in the project still wonder how administrators, teachers, custodial staff - and students kept their sanity during those three months. But all survived and doubtless had a deeper appreciation for the fine new facilities.

Community population growth and demands for expanded curricula provided the impetus for mother building program in 1957. Room for expansion was inadequate at the Jackson Street site so the district purchased land east of the village on State Route 31B - the old Montezuma Turnpike. This new facility was' desiqned as a Junior-Serdor High School. It featured a new auditorium, an excellent cafeteria, shop and increased space for vocational teaching in business, home-making, agriculture, and art.

The Junior-Senior unit was enlarged in 1967 when more classrooms were added as were a new cafeteria and swimming pool.

Hundreds of teachers have made commendable contributions to the life of the community. On teacher, Miss Mary Ann Barnes taught in the Weedsport Schools for 50 years - 1871-1921.

Since the organization of the high school "academic department" in 1871 the following have served as principals: A. W. Morehouse, 1871-1877;

Win. H. Bradford, 1877-1879; D.D. Van Allen, 1879-1881; Lazelle R. Hopkins, 1881-1910; R. D. Brundage, 1910-1911; C. W. Potter, 1911-1918; R. O. Stephens, 191S-1916; B. B. Bean, 1916-1921; A. D. Oliver, 1921-1929; L. M. Hetherington, 1929-19S1; Win. F. Lampman, 1981-1966; Kenneth R. Chapman, 1966-.