Rex Anderson

The impact of suburban growth was studied in the Millard Public Schools, a school district located southwest of Omaha, Nebraska. The study organizes the history of the Millard Public Schools within the context of state, national, and world events of the time. Additionally, this research provides a better understanding of the post World War II phenomena of suburban growth and how such growth impacted one Nebraska rural community and its school system. Primary and secondary sources were studied to create a vivid narration of the past both chronologically and thematically. Special attention was devoted to administrative, curricular, and instructional issues faced by interested parties within the school district. Chronologically, the history was divided into five main periods. The first period was that of preparing for consolidation which took place between 1946 and 1955. During the second epoch of 1955-1960, the district experienced consolidation that drastically increased the size of the Millard Public Schools. The 1960-1970 stage was one of early suburban growth. The fourth span of time, 1971-1978, was one of rapid growth and resulting difficulty. The last era encompassing 1979-1989, was a period in which the district came into its own being as a large suburban school district. Thematically, the 1940s and 1950s were periods focused on consolidation. The 1960s was a period in which the Board and the administrative leadership of the district learned to manage growth. The 1970s was a period in which curricular issues became a focus. During the 1980s there was a great deal of emphasis placed on instructional improvement.