A little homework, a little history, and a whole lot of community memory
There’s been a lot of talk lately about the future of our schools here in Eureka and across Lincoln County—and rightfully so. Big decisions, big dollars, and long-term impacts for our kids and our community.
But before we sprint full speed into the next chapter, it might be worth pausing for just a minute and asking a simple question:
What exactly did we do last time?
About 20+ years ago, this community came together and passed a bond that gave us the high school we have today. We know that Jim Mepham was the superintendent at the time, helping guide that process.
After that… things get a little fuzzy.
And maybe that’s not surprising. This is a small town. We don’t always keep our history in neat little digital folders labeled “Important Decisions We Should Probably Remember Later.” Sometimes it lives in old file cabinets… and sometimes it lives in people’s memories over coffee or at the gas station.
So here I am—doing my homework, digging through what records I can find, and realizing pretty quickly that the official version only tells part of the story.
Which brings me to you.
I’m trying to piece together a clearer picture of that time, and I know there are people in this community who remember it far better than any document ever will.
Here’s what I’m hoping to learn:
- Who was serving on the school board when that bond passed?
- Who were the high school and middle school principals at the time?
- What was the actual bond amount?
- And maybe most importantly—what did those community conversations really look like?
Were people excited? Concerned? Divided? Supportive? All of the above?
Because let’s be honest—those details matter.
The decisions made back then didn’t just disappear when the ribbon was cut. They shaped the schools we have today, the maintenance we’re dealing with now, and the position we find ourselves in as a community.
And if we’re being asked to make another major decision, it’s not unreasonable to want the full context of the last one.
This isn’t about digging up dirt or pointing fingers. It’s about understanding the road we’ve already walked so we don’t pretend it’s brand new.
So if you were here back then…
If you served on the board, worked in the schools, or just remember how it all went down…
I’d genuinely appreciate hearing from you.
You can comment, or message me, I’m all ears.
Because in a place like this, sometimes the most accurate record we have… is each other.
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