1Commemorating the 175th anniversary of the Pottstown School
2District.

3WHEREAS, The Pottstown community was founded in 1752 by John
4Potts, a colonial ironmaster; and

5WHEREAS, The Pottstown community is located along the
6Schuylkill River in western Montgomery County and the estimated
7population is 21,000; and

8WHEREAS, Pottstown, along with many boroughs along the
9Schuylkill River, was the home of thriving industry, which in
10turn helped spur economic opportunity in Pennsylvania; and

11WHEREAS, Recently Pottstown, with its small town atmosphere,
12has shifted from heavy industry towards small businesses and has
13attracted new small businesses and many new professionals; and

14WHEREAS, The oldest available records indicate that in 1784 a
15log building was erected for the purpose of educating the youth
16of the area and was supported with citizens' subscription; and

17WHEREAS, According to the oldest records available, the State

1of Pennsylvania established a law which provided for the
2establishment of school boards in 1834; and

3WHEREAS, Available records show that the Borough of Pottstown
4in 1838 established the first school board; and

5WHEREAS, The first graduating class from Pottstown High
6School in 1881 consisted of five females; and

7WHEREAS, The Pottstown School District serves Pottstown's
8student population of 3,200 with quality learning opportunities;
9and

10WHEREAS, The Pottstown School District is not only one of the
11oldest school districts in Pennsylvania, but is also one of the
12oldest school districts in the country; and

13WHEREAS, The district has had the leadership of 17 different
14superintendents beginning with W. W. Rupert to the present time
15with Dr. Jeffrey Sparagana; and

16WHEREAS, Over the years, many facilities were used to house
17the educational programs of Pottstown, which presently has four
18elementary schools, one middle school and one high school; and

19WHEREAS, Pottstown School District has provided quality
20educational opportunities for the past 175 years that have
21helped young people establish a foundation for success as
22adults; and

23WHEREAS, Alumni of the Pottstown School District have
24distinguished themselves in all fields of endeavor, including
25business, science, industry, education, entertainment, sports,
26government and the military; and

27WHEREAS, The Foundation for Pottstown Education will
28celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Pottstown School District
29at the Brookside Country Club on May 17, 2014, and the Pottstown
30High School Jazz Band will provide entertainment; and

1WHEREAS, This resolution will be presented to the Pottstown
2School District on May 3, 2014, at Smith Plaza; therefore be it

3RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the
4Pottstown School District for 175 years of service to its
5community; and be it further

6RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the
7Pottstown School District, 230 Beech Street, Pottstown, PA
819464.