School History

MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT 

William M. Kendrick

We are all proud of Arthur V. Myers School, but I am particularly pleased that our School Board continues to place an emphasis on schools that are performance-oriented. In Myers School we have an exciting facility designed to otter maximum flexibility and opportunity for each student. 
The planning of this school involved citizens, staff and architects, all of whom gave many hours to the development of the project and planning for the educational program. The total community should also be thanked for providing the funds that have made this building possible. 
It is most appropriate that this innovative facility honors Arthur V. Myers, an educator and administrator whose contribution to improvement of education in Salem can be described only as immeasurable. 

ARTHUR V MYERS - The Man

Arthur Verne Myers began his career as an educator at an age which today would find most aspiring teachers looking forward to at least three more years of college. 

He was 19, with one year at the Oregon College of Education under his belt, when he accepted an assignment to teach grades five through eight at Perrydale, Oregon. His experience with schools was extensive, however, having attended 35 of them before his graduation from Independence High School in Independence, Oregon. 

Today, at the age of 68, he becomes the first living personage to have a public school in the City of Salem named in his honor. His accomplishments between that first year of teaching in 1924 and his retirement in 1970 make it clear why Arthur Myers Elementary School bears his name. 

After teaching at Perrydale and Hubbard, Mr. Myers, with another year of college behind him, assumed the principalship of Liberty School, which at that time had a teaching staff of four and was not a part of the Salem school system. 

He attended night school continually for the seven years that he served as Liberty's principal, and in 1938 received a bachelor's degree in education. He began his service with Salem Public Schools at Parrish Junior High School, where he taught social studies while he continued to attend Willamette University, earning a master's degree in psychology in 1940. 

He soon advanced to the principalship of Highland Elementary School, and in 1947 was tabbed by the superintendent of schools to take charge of all of Salem's suburban schools, a position he held until 1956. At that time, he was promoted to assistant superintendent in charge of elementary schools. He served in this capacity until his retirement, and is credited with bringing the team teaching concept to Oregon during those years - an accomplishment he feels was his most significant contribution to education in District 24 J. 

A strong believer in one's responsibility to continue his pursuit of education, Mr. Myers studied at the University of California, Oregon State University, Denver University and Harvard over the years. 

His dedication to education was felt most strongly, perhaps, in his own home. All four of his children have pursued careers in education; One daughter, Elizabeth, is in her fourth year as an English instructor at McNary High School. Her sister, Rosemary, teaches in Germany. Ray Myers is Supervisor of Pupil Personnel Services for District 24J, and another son, Kent, is Assistant Superintendent of Schools at Lake Oswego. 

Mr. Myers and his wife currently reside in South Salem, making trips to such distant points as Mexico and Alaska whenever possible.

ARTHUR MYERS - The School

May, 1,971 - The Board of Directors for School District 24J committed itself to proceed with planning an "open classroom" elementary educational facility. Although the concept of open classroom learning was not new, it was· a new approach for District 24J. 

To facilitate planning, administrators selected a committee of enthusiastic educational staff members, formed a lay committee of dedicated community citizens, and retained the architectural firm of Blancahrd and Lamen, A.I.A. Myers Elementary School, being dedicated today, is the cumulative effort of each member comprising the planning team, with support of the Salem community. 

What is different about Myers School compared to other schools within the district? Essentially, the only differences are educational concept and the involvement of the community. Results of these factors were: 

1.     Administrators and staff were able to detail plans for an ideal educational facility without the inhibitions presented by a· predetermined program. 
2.    Input from the community committee provided a maximum awareness of parental concern, and coordinated educational and community utilization of 
the public building. 
3.     Group ·organization that offered the architects review and criticism at 
every step of the project. 

October, 1971 - Sitework began while plans were being prepared for the construction contract. Voter defeat of the bond issue delayed the project in the spring of 1972, but plans were issued to contractors and work commenced in August. The project was substan­tially completed in August of 1973 and occupied for use at the beginning of the 1973-74 school year. 

Total construction cost, including sitework contract, was $910,170.00. Designed to accommodate 300 students, the usable area is 41,986 square feet, nearly one square acre, or the equivalent area of 30 average-sized homes. Some 2,500 square yards - more than half the total floor area - is covered with carpeting. 

The environmental climate within the building is completely controlled by heating, ventilating and air conditioning. Multi-zoning of interior spaces permits utility demands only in those spaces being occupied, allowing more economical operation expense and conser­vation of power during the Northwest energy crisis. 

"Bright cheerful colors" were a criteria set forth by the citizens' committee. Many hours went into the selection of colors to provide a stimulating and exciting environment for all within the school (note the colorful furniture and equipment that are complimented by backgrounds). 

The construction contract was awarded to the C.A. Lantz Construction Company on Aug. 10, 1972. Major subcontractors included Bowen Brothers Plumbing and Heating, and Browne!! Electric, firms which were responsible for the building's heating, ventilating, air conditioning and electrical installations. 

Coordination of the various trades, assignment of work areas and maintenance of smooth progress of construction was handled by Gordon Nyberg, job superintendent. 

Recognition of individual efforts are not complete without noting the contribution of Dr. Earl Hampton, assistant superintendent, for organizing planning, Principal Art Bradley and his staff who made their time available for planning and selection of equipment, and Plant Engineer John Van Kempen for cooperation with workmen, pride of project and concern for students of Arthur V. Myers Elementary School.