Historical Perspective
The
Hancock school district dates back to 1863 but
because of a fire in 1869, records about this period
are sketchy. The first school was a typical one-room
structure furnished with hard wooden benches and
heated by a round shaped wood stove.
In 1869,
a union school was constructed on Franklin Street.
The building was used until replaced in 1875. This
building was destroyed by fire on July 25, 1922, and
was succeeded by the present building currently
owned by Finlandia University and formerly the
Hancock Middle School, which was built in 1923.
Three
additional school buildings were utilized during
much of the 1900's; Edward Ryan, E.L. Wright and the
Ripley School. Condon Field was dedicated in 1952,
and the district's bus garage was acquired from the
City of Hancock in 1963. Seventeen acres of land
located east of Elevation Street was acquired from
the Quincy Mining Co. as a grant in 1970. In
1988, the Hancock voters passed a 7.46 mil bond
issue to build a $5,750,000.00 elementary school. In
1989 the building was opened for use.
VIEW
SCHOOL BROCHURE
In 1996,
again the Hancock voters passed a bond issue to
build a new High School building at the top of
Quincy Hill. The new facility was occupied in April
of 1999. Much of the new building's technology
equipment was purchased due to a generous donation
made by Mr. Richard Hermanson. In total, Mr.
Hermanson furnished the district with nearly half a
million dollars of technology equipment. The former
Hancock Central High School, which served grades
7-12, was renovated to serve as a 6-8 Middle School.
The new high school designed to accommodate the
eventual addition of a separate middle school wing.
In May
2008, after 12 years utilizing the remodeled
downtown building, yet another bond issue was passed
by the voters. The new wing, built on to the
existing high school was completed in December 2009
and the middle school students began instruction
there in January 2010. The wing holds middle school
classrooms, a gymnasium, administrative offices and
a district auditorium. In addition to the middle
school wing, the bond also allowed for a new roof
and flooring at the elementary school, new carpeting
in the high school and other improvements to the
district's facilities.
Demographic
Perspective
Hancock
is a community nestled on the north side of the
Portage Waterway. The school district serves about
840 students in grades K-12. The school district is
comprised of four townships (Franklin, Quincy,
Hancock and the City of Hancock).
The
Hancock Public School staff is a blend of
experienced teachers and recently hired teachers.
Rapport between staff members is excellent, and
staff/administration rapport is also good.
