Society: Name school for McGuffey

The board made no
commitment, but appeared interested in the proposal.

By HAROLD GWIN

VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — The William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society wants the city school board to name its new North Elementary after the man known as “America’s Schoolmaster.”

Members of the society brought their request to the board Tuesday, saying the move would bring positive recognition to a school dedicated to the nationally known author of the famous “Eclectic Readers.”

William Holmes McGuffey grew up in Coitsville, and the new elementary school is just one block off McGuffey Road and a few minutes from the McGuffey homestead, now the McGuffey Wildlife Preserve, a National Historic Landmark, said Richard S. Scarsella, society president.

He suggested the school be named McGuffey Elementary or McGuffey North Elementary.

Youngstown has had three McGuffey schools in its history, all of which were eventually torn down, said Harry Meshel, former state senator and a member of the society, recalling that he attended elementary school in the last one at McGuffey Road and Albert Street.

It was razed in 1940, and there was a plan to build a new one in a larger location, but that never happened, Meshel said.

McGuffey legacy

McGuffey had more than 120 million of his “Readers” printed between 1836 and 1960, and the books were used to teach three generations of American children to read, said June Murdoch of Boardman, a McGuffey great-great-granddaughter.

His work is “a legacy the Valley should wear with pride,” added Shirley Eckley of Hubbard, another McGuffey great-great-granddaughter.

“I think it’s an excellent idea, and I will do what I can,” said board member Lock P. Beachum Sr.

Board member Jamael Tito Brown asked Scarsella to provide the board with more background on McGuffey so it can make an educated decision on the request.

The Mahoning County commissioners recently named a McGuffey Road bridge over Andrews Avenue and Crab Creek the William Holmes McGuffey Memorial Bridge.

gwin@vindy.com