Seedling Mile Elementary School was founded in 1888, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – Seedling Mile Elementary School was organized in 1888, according to a history of the Grand Island Public Schools from 1955 to 1991, written by the late Gerald Bryant, who was a long-time administrator in Grand Island Public Schools.
A history of Seedling Mile Elementary Schools was also written by Eldon Cunningham, Hall County Superintendent of Schools for 35 years. Bryant included sections of Cunningham’s history in his book as a prelude to the annexation of the area by the city and subsequent operation of the school by Grand Island Public Schools. Seedling Mile Elementary School was also known as District 74.
Seeding Mile Elementary School was named after “Seedling Mile,” which was the first mile of paved road on the old Highway 30. The school opened in 1888 with 37 students.
In 1968, a large portion of the Seedling Mile district was annexed by the city of Grand Island. Due to a provision in Nebraska school laws, the annexed part of the district could become part of Grand Island Public Schools for one full year after the annexation ordinance became effective.
“Due to court actions and other reasons and by agreements between the two districts, District 74 continued to operate their school until the close of the 1972-73 school year. Enrollments in the Seedling Mile School had reached a figure of about 150 pupils at the time of the annexation,” Gerald Bryant’s book said.
“The unannexed portion of the original District #74 continues to be an organized school district but it is contracting for the instruction of its pupils” with Grand Island Public Schools, the book said.
A bond issue occurred in 1972 to construct a new school in District #74, but it failed.
Formal agreements between the Boards of Education of Grand Island Public Schools and District 74 were finalized in February 1973. The formal contract for possession of the school was approved in May 1973.
Gerald Bryant’s book contains enrollment statistics from 1973 to 1990. In 1973, the school had an enrollment of 131 students. By 1981, the enrollment had climbed to 161 students. In 1989, the enrollment was 171 students, and in 1990, the enrollment was 177 students.
