History of Holland Schools

excerpt from " R. M. of Victoria Past and Present " 2002, available for purchase RM Victoria
Holland School District was formed April 1885. The organizational meeting was held May 16. Those in attendance were William Watkins, Daniel Mayers, Charles Cummings, James Jamieson, David Evans, Daniel McNeil, Arthur Holland , John Budd, Ed Pelly and Henry Hatton. Charles Cummings was elected Chairman of the school board and A. C. Holland, Secretary- treasurer. At that time, it was called Burnaby School District No. 390.
The question of building a school was discussed but as they were not sure where the town would be located, it was decided to hold classes in D. Evans' house for the first year. School was in operation for four months that year with Mr. Ed. Sharpe as teacher. There was an enrollment of 12 pupils. The following two years, classes were held in J. Graham's house on 22-7-11. In April 1888, a by-law was passed to build a school in Holland. The school was built on Stewart Street at a total cost of $510.00. The name was changed to Holland School District No. 390. In 1890, this building was enlarged and Mr. Robert J. Mills was engaged as teacher at a salary of $45.00 per month. Mr. Mills remained as teacher until 1902 at which time he accepted the position of Secretary-treasurer of South Norfolk Municipality. He held this position until 1924.
On May 10, 1893, tenders were called for the construction of a school 40 ft. by 40 ft. and two stories high. Mr. Andrew Maxwell was the architect and the contract was awarded to Mawhinney and Rowles. In 1902, two rooms were added making a total of four rooms, three of which were used for classrooms and the fourth as gymnasium for the first year. In 1905, the first Consolidated School District in Manitoba was formed, consisting of Holland and Dawson School District No. 117, which was situated north of the town and had been in operation since 1881. The school board consisted of William Jackson, William Watkins and W. R. Ross. Mr. A. A. Herriot was engaged as Principal at a salary of $85.00 per month. The enrollment was 201.
The rural children were conveyed to school in horse drawn vans having the capacity of up to 20 children each. They were on wheels for summer and sleighs for winter. The first ones were canvas covered and the sides of the summer vans could be rolled up on nice days. The school district furnished the vans and kept them repaired. The drivers furnished the teams and drove them for $32.00 to $40.00 per month. As cars became more common and dependable and roads improved, the horse-drawn vans were gradually replaced by station wagons and buses.
In 1913, the third school was built at a contract price of $24,387.00 plus $1,035.00 for the heating system, which consisted of four coal furnaces. Debentures were sold, payments to be spread over 40 years. The final payment was made in June 1944. For several years after this school was built, an Agricultural Course was added to the curriculum. Each spring, a team of three from each school, taking this course, was invited to the Manitoba Agricultural College to compete in judging horses, cattle, sheep, swine, seed grain, testing cream, etc. In 1914, a team composed of Alex Lovie, Ed Northy and Frank Holland placed second in the province and placed second and fourth for individual judging. Their instructor was Mr. Van Tausk. In 1916, a team composed of Victor Biglow, Jim Stevenson and Leslie Bullied placed first as a team and first and second as individual judges. Mr. S. J. Sigfusson was instructor that year.
In 1942, Barley School District No. 689, south of the town, which had been in operation since 1892, came into consolidation. In 1958, Selton School Diistrict No. 291, west of town, which had been in operation since 1883 was dissolved, the west half going to Cypress River and the east half to Holland. In 1959, Centreville School District No. 606, east of town was dissolved, the east half going to Treherne and the west half to Holland. Rae School District No. 1253, north of the Assiniboine River came into consolidation in 1963. Prior to 1959, all schools in Manitoba were administered by local school boards. In that year, the Divisional system was introduced, a vote taken, and most of Manitoba accepted it. Under it , local boards were still responsible for administering the elementary schools but the Divisional board took over the secondary classes. Clarence Sundell became the first trustee representing Holland and Cypress River. He served as Chairman of the board for the first four years. The government grant system was changed, the object being to lighten the tax load on the property owners. In 1965, Camille School District No. 311 voted to come into consolidation effective January 1, 1966.
In 1965, the school board decided that the third school was not satisfactory. A firm of architects was engaged to estimate the cost of upgrading the building. The estimate was considered too high. The Department of Education declared the building obsolete, giving permission to have a vote on a new school. The vote was taken on March 9, 1966 and carried by a large majority. The school board then proceeded with plans to build a modern school in 1966.
The new school would be an elementary school with the high school students going to Treherne Collegiate. In 1966 a new school, the fourth one in Holland, was built on Thompson Street. This school is still in use today.
This new school consisted of six classrooms,a staff room, a principal's office, the janitor's room, a storage room and a gymnasium. Mrs. Gertie Templeton, the Grade one teacher, who also taught in the older school, was quite impressed with this new building. She particularly liked the extra storage space, the much improved heating system, and the gymnasium, which was lacking in the older building. In 1977 a new addition was added to the building. Originally this new wing was used as a Special Education Center for the Tiger Hills School Division, of which Holland was part. Later this new addition would be used as classroom space. The new addition had two more classrooms, two teaching stations, an office, which was first used for the school dental program and later as the Resource teacher's office, and a storage room. In 1993 another classroom was added to the school. This classroom freed up another room which was converted into a library/computer room which was sorely needed. Other changes to the school, over the years includes two play structures for the school yard. One was built at the Headingley Jail. The second was built in 1998 again with community financial help. Both were a result of community involvement and have been enjoyed by the students.
In the first year the new Holland Elementary School had an enrollment of 149 students in grades one to eight.
By way of contrast the enrollment in the 1999-2000 school year was 94 students from kindergarten to grade eight.
Holland Elementary School was part of the Tiger Hills School Division No. 29 since the late 1960's. On July 1, 1998 Tiger Hills amalgamated with the Pembina Valley School Division No. 27, to form the Prairie Spirit School Division No. 50. This amalgamation was carried out in the hopes of offering better services to students, which was suffering due to declining enrollments in the area.