American History

Abstract
The purpose of this research paper is to briefly describe the history of McIntosh Elementary School and how the school received the Frank W. Boykin. This research paper will explain the major changes that took place over the years. As an employee at McIntosh Elementary School, the knowledge I gained during the research process will help me understand, respect, and appreciate the changes, because these changes open doors for me.

In the late 1930 s and early1940 s, a little one-room building occupied the present day site of McIntosh Elementary. Not very well built, it was constructed of rough lumber, with cracks that had to be filled with batting, and painted white, that was the beginning of McIntosh School. The school is located in Southeast Washington County, Highway 43 North in a rural area outside of McIntosh city limits. Washington County ranks among the top four counties in Alabama for unemployment. Over the years the name of the school have changed several times.

In the year 1952, Olin and Geigy Chemical plants were constructed in the McIntosh community (1996-97 School improvement plan and report). The two plants brought in many new families and businesses. After 1952, the old building was torn down and two rooms were built, doubling the size of the school. Kitchen equipment and other supplies were obtained through the hard work of parents and community volunteers, as well as donations from Olin and Geigy Chemical plants.

On March 17, 1953 oil, gas, and mineral rights were leased to Frank W. and Robert M. Boykin, which included the location site of McIntosh School. Boykin played a very important part in the location of McIntosh School. He originally donated the land to the school. Later the school honored his gift by changing the name of the school from McIntosh School to Frank W. Boykin Elementary School.

Not only did Boykin make an impact on the McIntosh community but throughout the state of Alabama. He was born in Bladon Springs, Alabama, where he began school later his family moved to Fairford, a small town located outside McIntosh city limits. At the start of his career, he began working as a clerk in a store and later became the store manager. He relocated and moved to Malcolm, another small town located outside McIntosh city limits.

By the year 1905, Frank Boykin was engaged in the manufacture of railroad cross ties.  He later moved to Mobile, beginning his political career he served as a Democratic Congressman in Alabamas 1st congressional district from 1935-1963. Working in public service for many years, Rep. Boykin touched many lives alone the way. Although, the name has since been changed, Boykin portrait holds a permanent spot in the office of McIntosh Elementary School. His family still owns a large amount of land and fishing and hunting facilities near the school site.

As the community grew, so did McIntosh School. At first McIntosh was an all white school it was integrated in 1969. Mr. Tom Henson was the principal, the first black teacher hired was Mrs. Jettie Tolbert, and six black students attended the school that year, coming from the Sunflower community. In 1970-71, Mr. Barnes served as principal, and a new addition was added to the existing structure. In 1971, Mr. William Z. Wells became the first black principal of Frank W. Boykin Elementary School. He remained in this position until 1986.  During his first year as principal, the school enrollment increased to over 500 students. Under Mr. Well s leadership, two new wings were added to the school and portable buildings were also brought in to ease overcrowding.

The beginning school year of 1986-87, Mr. W. A. Taylor served as principal. He  was replaced by Mrs. Vera Dean, the schools first black female principal. She served from 1987 to 1998. During this time, approximately 200 students attended the school. Many changes had taken place over the years and the school now consisted of fourteen classrooms. Under the leadership of Mrs. Dean, the school was remodeled and reorganized. From these renovations came a computer lab, media center, P. E. room, first-aid room, teacher s workroom, science lab,counselor s office and a cafetorium. The grounds were landscaped and playground equipment was added. Teachers and students began to have access to a web of educational resources, such as audiovisual aids and equipment, on-line connection and educational television in the media center. In 1996, the school adopted the soaring eagle as their official mascot.

Under the leadership of Dr. Larry Turner, the school superintendent, major changes took place in the fall of 1998. As the result of these changes, several schools closed andor were merged with other schools. Frank W. Boykin Elementary School and Reed s Chapel Elementary School merged as one school, closing Reed s Chapel with all the students attending the Frank W. Boykin facility. The school was renamed Boykin-Reed s Chapel Elementary School. Boykin-Reed s Chapel serves a diverse, multicultural population, coming from many small communities in the southern part of Washington County. These communities are Calvert, Fairford, McIntosh, Malcolm, Reed s Chapel, Sims Chapel and Topton. All these communities are located within a 15-mile radius of the school. Approximately one hundred percent of the students are eligible to be transported to school, and eighty-four percent of the students participate in the child nutrition free and reduced lunch program.
 
When the two schools merged, Mrs. Vera Dean retired and Dr. Lebaron Byrd, the principal of Reeds Chapel,  became the principal at Boykin-Reeds Chapel. Under Dr. Byrd s leadership, the portable classrooms was replaced with a new addition, consisting of four classrooms, a new teacher workroom, restroom facilities, a special education room, Indian education room, computer lab, and three resource rooms. New programs were added on, such as Indian Education and the Migrant Program. The Migrant program is designed to help families who have to travel wherever they can find work. This work mainly consists of agricultural or fishing employment. Some students have to withdraw from school as early as April and start school as late as September. Also new to the school were  three Indian education aides, a reading coordinator, reading specialist, language pathologist, inclusion teacher, migrant aide, along with expanded technology an activity building. At the end of these renovations, there were now 23 classrooms.

In 2003, the name of the school was changed to its present name McIntosh Elementary School. The mascot was changed from the soaring eagles to the timber wolves. Dr. Byrd retired in the year of 2006 and Ms. Edna Billingsley became the new  principal of McIntosh Elementary School.  Under the leadership of Ms. Billingsley the schools facilities were again improved upon. Upgrades have been made to improve technology for the campus. Ms. Billingsley wrote several grants to open after school programs to assist students needs. These grants are The Food Bank, After School Program, Tutoring, Faucet, and the Fruit Grant. Although, the school started in a one room building, it have never stop growing, and students have never stopped learning.