Lynn Kirk Elementary turns 50

AUSTINTOWN — When someone or something turns 50, there is usually a big celebration, and that was case for the township school district’s oldest school.

Lynn Kirk Elementary, celebrated its 50th birthday this afternoon, and the school’s pupils and staff gathered in the multipurpose room for an assembly given by Principal Tony Russo.

“This school is more than just a building, more than bricks and glass,” he said.

Also present were several former Lynn Kirk teachers and principals, including Dr. Robert Shreve, the principal when Lynn Kirk opened in 1958.

Recalling memories of his time as principal, Shreve said, “When I was principal, I was really concerned about air attacks. There were 400, 500 kids in the school, and I was responsible for all of them.”

Another memory that stuck out in his mind, and the mind of his wife, Dolores, was how small the school was when it was first built.

“The original school had 12 rooms, I think,” she said. “And as soon as it opened, they began to add on immediately because of growth.”

Besides the size of the building, Shreve said not much had changed at Lynn Kirk, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

For the complete story, see Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.