BOUNTIFUL—In the fall of 1950, students walked in the doors of a new “modern” building – Bountiful Elementary School. Now, 75 years later a new “modern” building is replacing the old school. Construction of the new building has been taking place behind the current building and the old one is scheduled to be demolished after school ends and the new school will open in the fall.

“I started in 1978,” said Bountiful Elementary School secretary Linda Pearson. “I’ve been tasked with putting together a list of all the principals for our open house in May. There have been 16 in those 75 years. I’ve been around for 12 of them.”

Pearson has been pouring over old history books. “The PTA used to do history books,” she said. “It was so fun.”

Lamar Parkin was the first principal, Pearson said. “He came from Centerville Elementary. In 1950 they had blackboards, 75 years later we have smart boards. There’s so much more, like the internet.”

The school opened in 1950 and has had several remodels. Photo by Becky Ginos

 A clipping from one of the articles at the time read: “The excitement of exploring a new modern school and the renewing or making acquaintances of teachers and friends Monday made the opening of Bountiful’s new modern $215,000 grade school a memorable one.

“According to Lamar Parkin, principal, the school will handle from 300 to 350 pupils. Adjustments on boundary lines will have to be made the first week to even up the enrollment of students in the new school with that of Stoker grade school.

“The school contains 10 classrooms, principal’s office, health unit, teacher’s room, combination cafeteria and play room with adjoining kitchen, students’ work room, book room, janitors’ closet and two sets of rest rooms at opposite ends of the building.”

“The first building was L shaped,” said Pearson. “A second addition was made later.” 

The neighborhood youth liked to climb on top of the building, she said. “One time some kids climbed down through a window into one of the rooms and stuffed paper in the sink and turned on the water. It flooded overnight. When the teacher came in the next day water was flowing down the stairs.”

The community was amazing, Pearson said. “People came in and hauled away garbage. One father brought in a floor polisher and cleaned it so the teacher could have a classroom set up.”

One mother decided the school should have a mascot, song and colors, Pearson said. “They came up with red and the Bobcats. She asked me to write a school song. We sang it before school opened and the kids all knew it.”

A past principal decided to get rid of it, she said. “When (Principal) Casey (Pickett) came she said ‘no I want it back.’ I started going outside with my guitar and singing with the kids. Every word came right back to me.”

According to the Davis School District website, after the old building is demolished a new playground and field will replace the area. “The new building will be two-stories totaling 91,785 square feet. It will have 32 classrooms, a separate multi-purpose room and cafeteria. It will be heated and cooled with an energy efficient ground-source heat exchange system which uses the constant temperature of the earth to heat and cool the building. The electrical usage of the building will be offset by photo-voltaic panels located on the roof. The site will have a separate parent drop-off and bus drop-off.”

Pearson intends on continuing her job in the new school. “I’m 77 and people ask me when I’m going to retire,” she said. “It sounds silly but I feel like I’m supposed to be here. It’s been great.”

An open house to celebrate 75 years will be held at the school 1620 S. 50 West, May 16 from 4 p.m.–7 p.m. For more information contact the school at 801-402-1350.