Winger School District No. 275

The first school in Winger was organized in 1907. The organizational meeting was held at the Aasen Hardware Store in Winger. The first school board elected included G.A. Bratland, Clerk; G.B. Hauger, Treasurer; and Ole Skeie, Director. The first building was a two-story frame building just east of the present building. John Jenson was the first teacher hired for a six month term at a salary of $45.00 per month.

The young people of Winger had been attending school in District 183 southeast of Winger. This school was one of the very first organized in The Thirteen Towns. When the school was organized in District 183, there were many married men and other grown-ups attending because they wanted to learn to read and write in the English language. One story is told that a bachelor lost a spelling contest because he did not have a wife to coach him at home.

The years between 1912 and 1915 were the growing years in Winger. The number of students has increased so that the two-room schoolhouse was getting too crowded and more room was needed. A controversy split the community regarding the bonding for a new building. One faction wanted to build a high school, and another group felt that a three-room school building should be erected. The students that attended high school had done so by moving for the year to McIntosh, Erskine, Fosston, Fertile and Mahnomen. Many from Winger attended the Northwest Agricultural School at Crookston where the term was only six months.

The bond issue was passed in 1923, but the opposition was not to be denied. There were several court cases that had been filed trying to stop the project. The bonds amounting to $20,000 were sold, the go ahead from the State Department of Education was given and the contract was let to Bjella and Olson of McIntosh, in the spring of 1924. The new building was a brick two-story, four room building which had been in use until the end of the 1982 school year. In the fall of 1982 all students from the winger area were transported to the school in McIntosh.

The first teachers in the new building were Olga Carlson, Frazee, MN, upper grades; Principal Alice Bredeson, Thief River Falls, MN, intermediate grades; and Lilah Bjorgo of Mclntosh, primary grades.

In 1931, state aid funds enabled the establishment of bus routes to transport high school students. Superintendents H.C. Jordahl of McIntosh and William Hoffman of Mahnomen offered to establish bus routes to Winger. Another controversy followed, as parents were split on their choice of schools. It was first planned to make an agreement with the Winger School Board to allow one high school to pick up Winger students with each pupil paying a monthly rate as part of the cost, and the decision favored the McIntosh High School. A few days before the opening of school, however, the Mahnomen High school offered free transportation to all pupils who wished to attend there. This resulted in both schools operating buses free of charge. The buses could be seen loading side by side on the Main Street of Winger. Emil Eickstad of Mahnomen operated the Mahnomen bus and Elias Nornes of Winger was the first bus driver for McIntosh. In 1938, the Minnesota State Department set high school areas for all schools in the state. Winger was at that time placed in the McIntosh High school area and the Mahnomen bus was forced out of Winger. The McIntosh School buses have now been operating in the Winger territory since 1931 and will continue to do so as long as there is a need.

District 275 had taken in several districts from the surrounding area during the 1950's. They included:

1. District #183, southeast of Winger known as the Sand Hill School. This district, in section 35, was organized in 1893. Miss Martha Luthness was the first teacher, hired for 5 months at $35.00 a month. O.N. Snustad and John Jenson, two of the early teachers in this territory, also taught in this district. 
2. District #22, northwest of Winger, in section 8, also known as the Gossen School, was organized in 1888 at the E.N. Lofgren home. Herman S. Wold was the first teacher and started school November 1st for a 2-month term at $35.00 per month. 
3. The Wooded Park District #186, located in section 29. 
4. District 182 from Section 29 of Sletten Township. 
5. District 132, north of Winger in section 11, better known as the Bruce School and later the Wide-Awake School. Florence Balke was the last teacher there, and this district was the last to join the Winger School.

The Winger School District #275 (later 607) grew when the state reorganization plan mandated that every rural district that was closed become part of a district where school was in session. The consolidation of merger of the rural school districts around Winger brought student enrollment ups so that in 1957 there were between 95 and 100 students in the Winger School, and the school was using all four rooms in the present school building.

In 1961, an addition was built to the school. It included a gymnasium and stage, plus locker rooms, a hot lunch kitchen and a new entrance. The total cost of this addition was $62,000. The district also bought land from Peder Pederson, southeast of the school, to build a summer recreation facility. The recreation area provided a ball diamond and playground area for the school. The ball diamond and recreation area were deeded to the Village of Winger before the next step in school reorganization took place.

In September 1968, the 7th and 8th grades were sent to McIntosh High School so they could take advantage of the broader course of study offered there. These courses included home economics, music, industrial arts, science with lab, art, and physical education.

In the mid-1960's, the State of Minnesota passed a law that made it mandatory for every elementary school to support a high school by the year 1971. At a special election, the Winger School elected to merge with McIntosh where most of the young people had attended high school since the 1930's.

In July 1970, the merger with the McIntosh School District was completed and became the McIntosh-Winger School District No. 603. During the first few years the first through the six grades remained in Winger under the supervision of the Administrators at McIntosh. Later, grades four, five, and six from the whole district were combined and transported to the Winger School. Later these grades were transported to McIntosh and the kindergarten, first and second grades were transported to Winger. All other grades attend school in McIntosh. This arrangement continued until the fall of 1982 when the Winger building was closed and all students began attending school in McIntosh.

Changes in our society have caused changes in our school system, but interest in good education and school activities remains. Nothing brings the patrons of a school closer together than excellence in the academic process, in music, in art, and in sports.

[..from the "All school Reunion" (red) book, page 4. Not shown is the list of superintendents, pricipals, and teachers on pages 6-8.]

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Our Schools

The pioneers who came to settle the new area of the Thirteen Towns were quick to establish churches and almost as quickly began making plans for the education of their children. Many of older people, too, wanted a further chance to attend a school since many of them could read and write only. Scandinavian and many could not speak the English language.

Newcomers Start Their Own School

The first public school held in Winger Township and possibly in the entire Thirteen Towns was held on the Ole Groven farm one mile south of the present town in January and February of 1885. It was a private undertaking and was supported by those who were ambitious enough to want to learn English. Herman Wold was engaged as teacher and a term of two months was held. His salary was $20 a month. Even married people attended school, which was evident by the fact that one, who was a bachelor at the time, “lost a spelling match to Ole Laknes because he had no wife to help him.

Here is the roll of honor for the first pioneer school: Bess Erickson, M.A. Wraa, G.B. Haugen, Mrs. Gro Wick, Mrs. Ole Laknes, Gunnar Syverson, Mrs. Aase Johnson and Mrs. T. Smeby.

Four Rural School Opened In Township

Four rural school districts were established in Winger Township before a school house was built in the village. Most of the pupils in town first attended school in District #183 southeast of the village which, for a time, operated two school buildings on opposite sides of the district.

Present School District Gets Start

District #275 was organized in the year 1907. The first meeting was held in the Halvor Aasen Hardware Store to lay plans for organization and building.

On July 0, 1907, G.A. Gratland was elected clerk: G.B. Hauger, treasurer; and Ole Skeie, director. The first school house was erected in 1907. this was a two-story frame building and was built on the present school site, only a few feet east of the present school structure.

Only the downstairs school room was used at first. John Jensen, who had previously been teaching in the rural schools, was the first teacher, hired for a six-month term at a salary of $45 a month.

The first eighth grade graduation was held in the Bethania Lutheran Church in 1914. by that time there were two teachers on the staff, Katie Dahl and Clara Bakke.

Old School Building Found Inadequate

As the number of pupils increased, more teachers were needed and a larger school building necessary.

In 1923 an election was held to decide on a proposal to bond the school district in the amount of $42,000.00 to erect a new schoolhouse. The progressive element won the election despite much opposition and hopes for a new building were high. The opposing minority tried various methods, however, to stop the issuance of bond, including a court injunction, but finally failed and the bonds were sold to the Merchant Trust & Savings Bank of St. Paul at a rate of 4.5 percent.

Another election was held after this to decide whether to build a three or four-room school. Again there was a great controversy but those in favor of four rooms won the election by a vote of 80 to 66.

In the spring of 1924, approval of the altered plans for the school building was received by the school board from the state and the contract for the construction was let to Bjella & Olson of McIntosh.

Instructors for the first term in the new schoolhouse the following September were: Miss Olga Carlson of Frazee, upper grades and principal; Miss Alice Bredesen of Thief River Falls, intermediate grades; and Miss Lilah Bjorgo of McIntosh, primary grades.

High School Class Held In Town Hall

Winger never did manage to establish a full high school although talk of doing so came up at various times. However, high school courses were offered in the years 1919-1920 and in 1921-1922. This school was organized by Henry Sorvig and was held in the Winger Town Hall.

Miss Minnie Tennes of Minneapolis was instructor the first year of school. Students attending were: Clara Loiten, Irene Norgrant, Otto Sorvig, Ralph Solberg, Pearl Johnson, Phyllis Johnson, Olivia Engen, Victor Palm, Randoph Hukee, Mable Balke, Nellie Olson, Gilbert Hatleberg, Palmer BAgstad, Alma Lecy, Solveig Messelt and Evelyn Johnson.

After a lapse of a year, the school was organized for another term with Henry Sorvig as instructor.

More Students Attend High School

In the 1920’s a large number of Winger students began attending high schools in the surrounding towns – Mahnomen, McIntosh, Fosston, Erskine and Fertile – staying at homes in these towns during the school year. Many also attended the Northwest School of Agriculture at Crookston.

Another School Controversy

In 1931, state aid funds enabled the establishment of bus routes to transport high school students. Superintendents H.C. Jordahl of McIntosh and William Hoffman of Mahnomen offered to establish bus routes to Winger. Another controversy followed, as parents were split on their choice of schools. It was at first planned to make an agreement with the Winger School Board to allow one school to pick up Winger students with each pupil paying a monthly rate as a part of the cost, and the decision went to the McIntosh High School.

A few days before the opening of school, however, the Mahnomen High School offered free transportation to all pupils who wished to attend there. This resulted in both schools operating buses free of charge. Emil Eickstad of Mahnomen and Elias Nornes was the first driver to McIntosh. Later, state regulations forced both schools to collect part of the transportation costs from students but both buses kept operating until 1938, when Mahnomen was forced to discontinue as state aid rules were changed, barring assistance to pupils transported across a county line.

The Winger School District No. 275 (later #607) grew when the state reorganization mandated that every rural district that was closed become part of a district where school was in session. Several rural districts became part of the Winger district and the enrollment was again between 95 and 100 in grades one through eight in 1957.

In 1961 an addition was built to the school. Foss Architects, Inc. from Fargo submitted the plans that were approved by the board. A bond issue for $35,000 supplemented the existing funds to build the $62,000 addition. This included a gymnasium and stage (40’ by 90’), plus locker rooms, a hot lunch kitchen and a new entrance.

About the same time as the gym was built, the district bought land from Peder Pederson southeast of the school to build a summer recreation facility. The recreation area provided for a ball diamond and playground area for the school. The ball diamond and recreation area was deeded to the village before the next stop in school reorganization.

Seventh And Eighth Grade Attend Junior High

In September 1968, the seventh and eighth grade classes were sent to McIntosh High School so they could take advantage of the broader course of studies offered there. These courses included Home Economics, Music, Industrial Ars, Science with lab, Art and Physical Education.

Further Reorganization

A series of reorganization policies were mandated by the state to make changes in school organization. First, a mandate from the state forced rural districts that were not open to annex to elementary schools in operation. Four rural districts became part of the Winger district. In 1966 the State of Minnesota passed a law that made it mandatory for every elementary school to be a part of a high school district by 1971. In July of 1970 consolidation with McIntosh was culminated and the school became known as McIntosh-Winger School district 603. The first six grades remained in their respective schools the first few years under the supervision of the administrators at McIntosh. Changes in grade alignments were made from time to time.

In 1987 Erskine was added to the school district and the name Win-E-Mac was chosen. A new school was built in 1998.

Wooded Park School District #186

The Wooded Park School was organized and built in 1884 and 1885. The building was built by Emert Stai and Martin Louison. An addition was built in 1924 and a well was dug in 1925. The school closed in 1950 and consolidated with Winger District #275.

Gossen School District #22

This district was the first officially organized district as it was organized on July 21, 1888, at the E.N. Lofgren home. Herman S. Wold was the first teacher, starting school on November 1 for a two-month term at $35 a month.

The Bruce School

The old Bruce School northeast of town was destroyed by fire early in summer of 1927. the fire was believed to have been started in the banking around the building by children playing with matches.

The school was rebuilt the same summer for the opening of the fall term, this school became known as the Wide-Awake School. This building was almost lost in the same manner also. An overheated stove caused a fire there one evening in February of 1944 but local people with the aid of the McIntosh Fire Department put out the blaze before it could destroy the whole building.

[…from “Centennial Celebration Winger, Minnesota 1904 – 2004,” compiled by The Winger Centennial Committee, pages 16 – 21 (text and photos), 140 – 144 (mainly photos)]