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Show rrj THE ZEPHYRSEPTEMBER 1991 1 to meet the cost of another elementary school. Using a modified version of what popular demand had decreed "Helen 11. Knight Elementary School", another elementary school, called Southeast, was opened in 1957. Even so, things did not calm down. The Moab boom was continuing, but the federal monies were running out Helen M. could see that Moab needed a new high school. Additions were also needed to Southeast and a conversion of the current high school was necessary to make it adequate for a middle school. In February of 1961, a bond Issue to cover the needed Improvements faced the voters. Heavy opposition, Including that from several mining companies threatened to defeat me," Helen M. once said, "at lesst I hope they respect me." In her years as a teacher and her 25 years as superintendent, few who met her, failed to respect her. When she died In May of 1969, Grand County lost an educator, a politician, and an unforgettable Influence In the lives of hundreds of Its residents. Helen M. Knight would continue to hold the distinction of being Utah's only woman superintendent until 1989. A friend and colleague puts It best, I think: "Perhaps Helen was, among other things, a product of our geography: the magnificent LsSals to the east which give off strength; the unparalleled beauty of the Arches; and the Colorado, one of the wildest rivers In the world. They give a sense of a freedom to be different If you want to be--to live and M. was different. I would let live. Moab is different-Hd- en say we shall not see the likes of her again." the bond. enrollment increases. Few could question the need to deal with the January figures showed an addition of 200 students since the beginning of the school year, for a total of 1694 students. Double sessions were the rule. Nonetheless, there was not a consensus on the solution. Some residents accused the school board of having "a champagne appetite on a coke Income." While uranium, potash, and oil development Industries were predicting an Increase In employment over the next few years, they were also expecting a decline after 1966. Rather than build a high school on s new location that would also require additional surface improvements (Including a bridge across Mill Creek), bond Issue opponents preferred the expansion on the existing block owned by the school district. Though not totally In support of the school district's solution, other residents feared that the failure of the bond would mean a series of delays before any alternative action could be taken. The Times Independent called the Issue "one of the hottest political controversies unheard of In a bond election." The $975,000 bond achieved the county had seen-alm- ost a narrow victory, passing by only 23 votes out of nearly 1000 votes cast But, it was a victory, nonetheless. Finally, feeling that the district was on Its way to meeting Its growth challenge, M. Helen Knight retired at the age of 65. In less that 10 years she had led Grand County school district through a growth In student numbers from 400 to 1700. "If people don't like on-goi-ng 1 ; ; t PAGE 23 XANCO " BATTERY the funky battery place ' Our own magical reconditioning process produces a reincarnated XANCO warranted one full year $15.00 wexchange 1951 Mill 259-851- 1, Creek BATTERY, Dr. Moab Mercantile & Gallery of Fine Art Kathy Cooney and Chuck Schildt, owners FEATURING LOCAL ARTISTS: Gail Houston Kathleen Cooney Dutch Walker Bruce Hill Ben Schnirrel Anne Urbanek Jim Stiles WEVE EXPANDED OUR SERVICES! o small, instant auto-focu- s cameras, e cases & tripods. passport photo services WestLight 5 North Main Photography 750 S. Main Moab, Utah 84532 259-794- 3 fa I SOLAR ELECTRICITY IN GRAND COUNTY IS LIGHTING HOMES, PUMPING WATER, AND RUNNING COMPUTER SYSTEMS. SUPERIOR1 ENERGY SYSTEMS 'T'ikR0BERT 259-298- 5 PROFESSIONAL DESIGN & INSTALLATION CONSULTING FOR DO IT YOURSELF PROJECTS EQUIPMENT COMPETITIVELY PRICED LOCAL REFERENCES AVAILABLE SOLAREX authorized dealer S0LDAT CATALOG AND DESIGN GUIDE, 105 PAGES $3.00 CVSR 2510 Moab, Utah 84532 (801) 259-7638 II ..'.'- -I1 "If!!' III. I.!..- ,- .'Ill II" -- J ...JT. ...... , - |
