|
History of Thomas Intermediate School |
|
This educational facility was
built in 1963 and originally named Ervin H. Thomas School in honor of the
previous Superintendent of Schools. The structure was designed as a Junior High
School with a large gym/auditorium but was used for grades one through six
after completion. The facility had eight classrooms, gym, office, lobby,
cafeteria, and small library.
Thomas School remained a K-6
school until 1970 when it became an all-6th grade facility. When Madison Street
Elementary School closed in 1980, Thomas School housed K-5 students and all the
sixth graders moved to Harris Middle School. In 1989, the school board renamed
this facility to Thomas Intermediate School to serve all fourth and fifth
graders in the city of Shelbyville. To this date, we remain an intermediate
school with ten fourth grade and eleven fifth grade classes.
As enrollment increased, additions
were made to accommodate the student population. In 1976 the cafeteria was
expanded, and a larger library and two classrooms were added. A few years later
seven more classrooms, a resource room, and restrooms were completed. The
1996-1997 school year began in a completely remodeled facility with a total of
twenty-four classrooms, a new library, a music room, art room, Title 1 lab,
teacher work areas, and new administrative area.
It does not matter what name is
given to this facility or what age children it serves; Thomas School continues
to meet the needs of this community.