School District No. 21 of Valley County (Fort Peck, Mont.) Records, 1936-1993

Overview of the Collection

Creator
School District No. 21 of Valley County (Fort Peck, Mont.)
Title
School District No. 21 of Valley County (Fort Peck, Mont.) Records
Dates
1936-1993 (inclusive)
Quantity
6 linear feet of shelf space
Collection Number
LG 85
Summary
These records of School District No. 21 of Valley County consist of teachers' registers from Fort Peck, Midway, New Deal, Park Grove, Square Deal, and Valley City elementary schools.
Repository
Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov
Access Restrictions

Records of student grades created prior to January 1, 1975 are not confidential and not restricted; records of student grades created after January 1, 1975 are confidential and cannot be accessed without the student's permission. This confidentiality ends with the death of the student. The fact that a student attended a particular school is not confidential. (34 CFR 99)

This restriction is based on talking with the Legal Associate Counsel for the Montana Office of Public Instruction, on Nov. 18, 1996. Records created prior to January 1, 1975 are not restricted and FERPA is not retroactive. (FERPA was passed in 1974 and took effect on January 1, 1975.) After January 1, 1975, records of student grades are restricted and can be accessed only with the permission of the student, if over 18 years of age, or the parents if the student is under 18.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Organic Act of 1864 established the first laws regarding schools and school districts in Montana. The act decreed that sections 16 and 36 of all townships were to be set aside for use by schools. The establishment of school districts was to be governed by county superintendents. Later laws regarding Montana schools provided a more stable and supervised structure, as well as funding, for the development of school districts.

The first school in Valley County was established in 1888 and classes were held in a boxcar. In 1889 residents of the area petitioned Dawson County to create a school district, becoming district 9-1 of Dawson County. With the creation of Valley County in 1893, Henry Hedges of Saco, Montana, became the first county superintendent of schools. With the coming of homesteaders to the area, the county's population grew and, consequently, so did the number of schools. Again in the 1930s, with the construction of the Fort Peck Dam, the population and the schools grew exponentially. In later years the population diminished substantially and many of the schools closed. The Fort Peck School District was later absorbed by the Nashua School District, beginning with the 1985-1986 school year.

Valley County, which was created in 1893 from Dawson County, is one of the largest counties in Montana. It is bordered on the north by Canada and on the south by the Fort Peck Reservoir. The county seat is Glasgow. Portions of Valley County were taken to form Sheridan County (1913), Phillips County (1915), and Daniels County (1920).

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

These records of School District No. 21 of Valley County consist of teachers' registers from Midway, New Deal, Park Grove, Square Deal, Fort Peck, and Valley City elementary schools. A teacher's register records a pupil's entrance, attendance, and grades. List of textbooks, library books, and supplies are often included with the registers, as well as information about the teacher and the condition of the school building.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Research Center, Archives, Helena, Montana.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by series.

Location of Collection

57:1-4; Oversize 33:8-5

Acquisition Information

Acquisition informatin is available upon request.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Teachers' Registers Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1 / 1-5
Fort Peck elementary school
1936-1938; 1940-1943
2 / 1-4
Fort Peck elementary school
1943-1947
3 / 1-4
Fort Peck elementary school
1962-1965
4 / 1-6
Fort Peck elementary school
1965-1968
5 / 1-5
Fort Peck elementary school
1968-1972
6 / 1-2
Fort Peck elementary school
1972-1974
6 / 3-5
Fort Peck elementary school
This folder is retricted, per 34 CFR 99.
1974-1977
7 / 1-6
Fort Peck elementary school
This folder is retricted, per 34 CFR 99.
1977-1983
8 / 1-2
Fort Peck elementary school
This folder is retricted, per 34 CFR 99.
1983-1985
9 / 1-3
Midway elementary school
1934-1938
9 / 4-8
New Deal elementary school
1934-1939
10 / 1-2
New Deal elementary school
1939-1945
10 / 3-6
Park Grove elementary school
1934-1939
11 / 1-2
Park Grove elementary school
1939-1942
11 / 3-5
Square Deal elementary school
1934-1944
11 / 6
Valley City elementary school
1935-1936

Clippings Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
11 / 7
Fort Peck elementary school
1991-1993, undated

Ephemera Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
11 / 8
Miscellaneous
1991, undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Education--Montana
  • Schools--Montana

Geographical Names

  • Fort Peck (Mont.)--Education
  • New Deal (Mont.)--Education
  • Valley County (Mont.)--Education