(A resumed, meeting of the school board, in 1894, resulted in electing M. J. Garter as treasurer on the first ballot. The previous adjourned session had resulted in a deadlock, after 48 ballots, between F. Limbeck and L. A. Meyer. The expenditures for the Ossian school in this year were: teacher's salaries--$1450; secretary's salary—$25; wood for heating—$155; charts--$75; cleaning--$22; repairs --$349 .67; and sundry expense--$25.31. The school levy was increased to 8 mills for the coming year to support the hiring of a fourth teacher. By I896, the school had 150 pupils attending from outside the corporate limits. They were charged tuition of $1.50 a month.)

In 1900 the board met to hire a principal. Four board members were present and there were two candidates. Balloting revealed that each candidate received two votes. Another ballot was taken with the same result. Balloting was done again, and again, and after the 99th ballot the board adjourned to meet again two days later. This time all members were present, and a principal was elected on the f irst ballot.

A well 134 feet deep was drilled on front of the school house in 1905 by John Vance. Total cost of the well was $160.80, which included service at any time for the next five years.

We find many familiar names among the early board members, such as John DeCou,

W. H. Nelings, McKinzie Hall, Andrew Meyer, R. N. Sawyer, H. A. Baker, H. G. Burg-eas, M. Beck, David Jack, George McWilliam, Philip Spillman, Philip Gunn, David Weitgenant, G. Peyer, Ole Thompson, John Collins, E. Schoonmaker, Wm. Kabeisenman,

G. G. Oyloe, M. J. Garter and J. J. Schmitz. Board members in more recent years include Harry Bothel, W. M. Allen, M. Klein, Ole Hauge, H. P. Nicholson, Glen Oyloe, Otto Gunderson and many others. James Malloy served as secretary for many years. Others who held this position were Fred J. Figge, I. H. DeGraff, Will Hel-wig and Clair Gilbert. All these records are written in script finer than most that one may see today, spelling and language are perfect, all of which reminds us that the schools of yesteryear compare very favorably with our present ones."

An item of 1913 notes that the school has added one year to its curriculum making a total of eleven grades with three years of high school. This expansion required the hiring of a fourth teacher. The faculty for 1914 included: F. E. Grouse, principal; Edna Haug, grammar department and music; Anna McGary, intermediate; and Bessie Emry, primary. School secretary Helwig listed expenses for the year of 1913 as $1890 for salaries, and $1744.37 for contingency costs.

The teaching staff was expanded to six for the 1915 - 19l6 year. The teacher's fund reflected this increase in personnel. It was recorded as $2850. But the contingency fund declined to $1310.

In 1917 the school expanded its high school to four years and achieved full accreditation from the state.

The school board purchased five acres of land from H. T. Klisart and Herman Hemesath in 1934. The enlarged school grounds included facilities for a baseball diamond and tennis and basketball courts.

An additional teacher was added to the staff in 1937. Miss Catherine White was hired as an instructor in book-keeping, typing and shorthand classes.

In 1947 the -board of education contracted to buy two school buses. These vehicles, with capacities of 36 and 30 students, were put into service that fall.

The following year, Miss Helen Sand became an additional instructor at O. P. S. The staff, headed by Supt. Rogers, now totaled nine. Enrollment for the year was listed as 137- Hot lunches were instituted with a fee of 25¢ per meal. Hannah Boyle and Mabel Larson were in charge of the food preparation. Mrs. H. A. Schulze was retained as secretary and R. L. Gilbert as custodian.

A special election was called in 1949 for the purpose of authorizing an addition to the school house. The new construction would contain a gymnasium along with additional class rooms. It was estimated to cost $40,000, and taxpayers were assured that property taxes would be increased by only three mills. The project