Senate Resolution No. 1505

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the
Waterville Central School District

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose
exemplary programs and accomplishments clearly demonstrate an enduring
pursuit of excellence in the education of the youth of this noble Empire
State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Waterville Central School
District on Thursday, May 16, 2024; and

WHEREAS, The Waterville Central School District, after 150 years of
service to its community, continues to create an educational environment
which ensures opportunities for learning, personal growth, and social
responsibility; and

WHEREAS, According to the Waterville Historical Society, the first
schoolhouse in the district was built between 1787 and 1789; and

WHEREAS, The 1929 edition of Waterville's yearbook, The Academic
Union, states the "educational institution now known as the Waterville
High School" was founded on September 15, 1813; the documentation in the
yearbook shows trustees voted for a new schoolhouse on January 7, 1814,
and it opened the following year; in 1871, another new school was
constructed, and it was known as Union Free School; and

WHEREAS, In May of 1874, the New York State Board of Regents
officially recognized the Waterville Union School and Academy, which
would later become the Waterville Central School District; 2024 marks
the 150th anniversary of this recognition; and

WHEREAS, Waterville Central School later operated out of what is now
Schoolhouse Apartments, which was a school building built in 1929;
later, in 1933, a school building was built in Deansboro for up to sixth
grade; the high school students attended school in Waterville at this
time; and

WHEREAS, Memorial Park Elementary School was built in 1960; the
current Waterville Jr./Sr. High School was built in 1974, and in 1983,
Oriskany Falls Union Free School was incorporated into the Waterville
Central School District; and

WHEREAS, The steadfast and unyielding commitment of parents,
educators, and administrators to provide the highest quality education
for students has become the hallmark and tradition of the Waterville
Central School District; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Waterville Central School District stands
prepared to reach out, in earnest and enthusiastic quest of its mission,
to promote the maximum growth of every student, establishing standards

and building skills which will carry its students and the citizens of
its community into the future; and

WHEREAS, The Waterville Central School District is proudly aware of
its distinguished past, eager to fulfill its present commitment to
parents, students and the community, and planning with vision and
purpose for the positive growth and change it will encounter in the
years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Waterville Central School
District; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Waterville Central School District.