The first public school in Panhandle was established in 1888. Professor J.W. (Big Foot) Miller and his wife taught in the two story building owned by Prof. Miller. Panhandle Independent School District was incorporated in 1907, with 96 square miles. In 1911 the first permanent red brick school building was built at a cost of $100,000 on the present school site. The land was donated by R.W. Ware and the building was two stories with four rooms on each level. The graduating class of 1911 consisted of three students. Increased enrollment resulted in an addition to the east side of the red brick schoolhouse in 1922. In 1928, a new high school building was erected on the southwest corner of the campus at a cost of $160,000.
In 1943, the high school and the grade school buildings underwent a general remodeling. In 1953, a building program financed by a $495,000 bond issue was initiated. It consisted of a new elementary school building, a cafetorium, gymnasium, and administrative offices.
A $580,000 bond issued in 1960 financed a new high school, a new agriculture building, an addition to the cafeteria, and remodeling of the old high school in order to convert it to a junior high school building.
In 1980, a bond issue of $1,600,000 was passed to build a new junior high building, an additional elementary school wing, and a new business office facility.
In 2007, a bond issue of $27,500,000 was passed to build a new elementary school, new high school and Jr. High school science labs and computer labs, a new secondary library and cafeteria, and a new competition gymnasium with dressing facilities for all athletic teams. The existing junior high, high school, and red brick building will undergo extensive renovations during the summer of 2009. The old red brick building, built in 1941, will become the home to the central administrative offices for the district.
In 2009, Panhandle Independent School District encompasses 551 square miles. The high school, junior high school, elementary school, business offices, gymnasiums, agriculture building, athletic fields and complexes comprise $38,000,000 worth of facilities. The school enrollment is approximately 700 students with over 130 personnel employed annually. The annual budget runs approximately $10,000,000. |
