HISTORY OF EDUCATION IN PASCO COUNTY

Black Schools in Dade City

Pasco County School Board minutes of Dec. 3, 1888, show a Hernando Colored School, with an enrollment of 14 black students. This school may have been located near Trilby, as census records before 1900 show a significant black population in the Trilby-Blanton-Spring Lake area.

School board minutes of Oct. 1, 1888, have: "A. B. Branden (colored) presented a petition asking for a colored school for the children of his community. By motion the rules were waved and the matter referred to the Supt. with instructions to grant the school if the exigencies demand it."

School board minutes of Feb. 4-5, 1889, have: "The matter of the colored school at Dade City was discussed and supt. was instructed to suspend the school unless an average of eight or nine can be maintained. The salary of teacher was reduced to $25.00 per month if average is kept up."

On Aug. 8, 1889, A. B. Brandon was supervisor of the Dade City Colored School.

On Oct. 6, 1890, R. C. Riley was appointed supervisor of the Dade City colored school. Brandon had resigned to start a black school on the south side of Lake Buddy.

On Aug. 3, 1891, Mrs. E. V. Powell was appointed the teacher for Dade City colored school.

In a report submitted to the state for the year ending Sept. 30, 1891, and published in 1892, Superintendent Robert M. Ray wrote, “I would suggest that there be a still lower grade of certificate for colored teachers, if possible to have it. Pasco will, as appears now, be unable to have a single colored school taught this year.”

On Aug. 7, 1893, D. A. Hartfield is shown as supervisor and Samuel Baisden is shown as the teacher of the Dade City colored school, No. 38.

School board minutes of Jan. 5, 1897, apparently show that J. D. Moore was appointed a teacher of the black school in Macon (Trilby). It is possible that the Dade City black school was suspended, although minutes have not yet been checked for this period. Minutes of March 1, 1897, have: "A letter showing that there were thirty five colored children of School age in Macon district and asking the Board to grant them a school was filed. On motion the School was granted, and J. D. Moore appointed teacher. School board minutes of May 3, 1897, show that J. D. Moore's salary at School No. 3 was $30 per month.

School board minutes of Oct. 3, 1898, report that a special school was granted at Fort Dade. J. D. Moore's salary was $35.00 per month.

According to The Historic Places of Pasco County, a three-room school for the black children of Dade City was located on Sixth Street next to St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, near what is now Martin Luther King Boulevard, in a building owned by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The school board paid the salaries of the teachers, but the parents had to buy the books. James Irvin remembers attending this school from 1920 to 1922. It had six grades and three teachers, including Rev. J. D. Moore, whose background was in the church rather than in formal education, but who symbolized education for the black community of the area.

School board minutes of Nov. 7, 1921, show these salaries for teachers at School No. 37: J. D. Moore, $45.00; Emma Hill, $50.00; Arrie L. Clayhorne, $50.00; Rosetta Haynes, $50.00.

School board minutes of July 12, 1924, show J. D. Moore as Principal of the Dade City Colored School.

School board minutes of July 2, 1928, show these teachers at Dade City Colored, No. 37: J. D. Moore, Essie Mae Johnson, Osceola Player, Mobley Smith.

According to The Historic Places of Pasco County, by the late 1920s a new school was built on Whitehouse Avenue with the support of the Julius Rosenwald Fund on land donated by J. D. Moore. Rosenwald was president of the Sears Roebuck Company and a benefactor of education for blacks.

School board minutes of Feb. 3, 1930, show monthly salaries for teachers at school No. 37: J. D. Moore, $90.00; Inez Sleigh, $60.00; Burnice Kelley, $60.00; Osceola Player, $60.00.

On July 3, 1930, these teachers were appointed to Dade City Colored School: J. D. Moore, Osceola Player, Susan King, Burnace Kelley.

School board minutes of June 15, 1931, indicate that a petition from the black people of Dade City was presented by Lillie Nance, requesting the removal of J. D. Moore and the assignment of Etta L. Burt as principal of Dade City Colored School. The matter was deferred to a later meeting. School board minutes of July 30, 1931, show that Burt was appointed as principal, replacing Rev. Moore, who was appointed to teach at the Lacoochee School the following month. Mrs. Burt was a graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta and the first of the Moore Academy faculty with a college diploma.

At this time, the school operated to the sixth grade level.

On of May 6, 1935, the following teachers were recommended and confirmed for School No. 37, Moore's Academy: O. K. Mickens (Principal, replacing Mrs. Burt), Hollis Sikes, J. D. Moore, Vera Lucas, Mary H. Marshall, Christine Mickens. (Odell Mickens was born in 1904 and died in 1980.)

On July 8, 1936, Mr. D. C. Miller of the South Florida School Supply Company proposed to furnish equipment to the school as follows: blackboards for five rooms, teachers desks, pupils' desks, teachers' chairs, waste baskets, pencil Sharpeners, not to exceed a total cost of $750. The proposal was agreed to by the board.

On Aug. 7, 1936, the Dade City Banner reported that the school board directed the superintendent to make arrangements for the location of a colored school in Dade City to replace the one recently destroyed by fire of unknown origin. On Sept. 10, 1936, the Board instructed the Superintendent to proceed relative to purchasing, remodeling, and opening of the Dade City Colored School.

Temporarily, classes were held in St. Paul and St. John churches as well as a building on Main Avenue until the school board rebuilt the building at the same location. A community group called the School Aid Club was organized by Mickens and headed by Irvin to provide furnishings and materials, raising most of the money through the black churches. The group obtained 900 used seats and desks at 35 cents each from Blessed Trinity Catholic school in Ocala.

On May 19, 1937, the present staff at Moore's Academy was re-appointed for the 1937-1938 term. The staff consisted of O. K. Mickens, Principal; J. D. Moore; Hollis Sikes; Vera Lucas; Mary H. Marshall; Christine Mickens.

Mickens was able to extend classes through the twelfth grade, by adding a grade each year beginning in 1937, until the first class graduated from Moore Academy in 1940. There were three graduates in 1940, all girls. According to a 2006 Tampa Tribune article, Lillian Arnold-Calhoun, Mozell Thompson-Ford, and Lila Thompson-Roach were the first black students to earn high school diplomas from the Pasco County public school system.

Dade City native Andrew N. Lewis Jr. graduated from Moore Academy in 1941 at age 20 and became the first black man to graduate from a Pasco County public high school, according to a 2006 Tampa Tribune article.

In 1939 Prof. Moore donated his property to the county for construction of a new school for blacks. The school was built on North Seventh Street and the name, Moore Academy, was retained. Facilities at the school were still inadequate. There was no lunchroom.

J. D. Moore died in the 1940s.

Through Mr. Mickens' effort, new courses were added to the curriculum including home economics which was taught by his wife, Christine. The home economics classes prepared lunches that were served to the students. Mr. Mickens also added agriculture and industrial classes. The ag students planted gardens behind the school and the harvests were used in preparing lunches. The industrial students made seesaws for playground equipment, repaired the building and built sidewalks.

On May 19, 1941, these teachers were appointed to Moore's Academy: Mr. O. K. Mickens, Principal; Walter J. Young, Jr.; Miss Dorothy Jean Rodgers; Mrs. Mary Marshall; Mrs. Christine Mickens; Mrs. A. House; Miss Thelma Burt.

On June 1, 1942, these teachers were appointed to Moore's Academy: Hiram J. Goodwin, Walter J. Young, Thelma W. Burt, Arrewintha S. House, Dorothy Jean R. Johnson, Mary Marshall, Christine Mickens.

On Apr. 17, 1944, these teachers were appointed to Moore's Academy: Hiram Jas. Goodwin, Thelma V. Burt, Arriwentha S. House, Dorothy Jean Johnson, Mary H. Marshall, Christine E. Mickens, Harriet B. Molloy and Moselle D. Thompson.

On Apr. 17, 1945, these teachers were appointed to Moore's Academy: O. K. Mickens, H. J. Goodwin, Thelma V. Burt, Arriwentha S. House, Allie D. Quarterman, Mary H. Marshall, Christine E. Mickens, Mozelle D. Thompson, Osceola P. Moore, Marjorie P. Jones.

School board minutes of Jan. 2, 1946, show that the Board voted to pay $1500.00 to build a lunch room at Moore's Academy.

On May 15, 1947, these teachers were appointed to Moore Academy: Thelma W. Burt, Mary H. Marshall, Hiram J. Goodwin, Christine E. Mickens, Arrewintha S. Weston, Osceola P. Moore, John D. Floyd, Mozelle D. Thompson, Irene F. Johnson, Walter J. Young, Jr.

School board minutes of May 19, 1947, indicate that the Moore Academy frame building on the present site is to be razed and all salvageable material transported to Moore Academy for construction of additional classrooms.

On May 6, 1948, these teachers were appointed to Moore Academy Elementary: Thelma V. Burt, Ruby L. Taylor, Mozelle D. Ford, Arrewintha S. Weston, Christine E. Mickens, Walter J. Young. The minutes show these teachers appointed to Moore Academy High School: Hiram J. Goodwin, James N. Taylor, Mary H. Marshall, Christine E. Mickens, Nellyvonne P. Thompson.

School board minutes of Mar. 7, 1949. indicate that the board voted to purchase a 200 X 200 ft. lot adjoining Moore Academy from W. B. Madill for $650.00.

On May 2, 1949, these teachers were appointed to Moore Academy: Hiram J. Goodwin, Thelma V. Burt, Mary H. Marshall, Mozelle D. Ford, Christine E. Mickens, Claudia Lewis, Christine E. Mickens, Osceola P. Moore, Allie D. Penix, Ruby L. Taylor, James N. Taylor, Arrewintha Weston, Louise P. Gilbert, Walter J. Young.

School board minutes of July 17, 1950, report that James N. Taylor, Vocational Agriculture teacher at Moore Academy, was rated the top agriculture teacher in the State by Florida A & M.

On Mar. 13, 1951, Professor O. K. Mickens and agriculture teacher J. N. Taylor appeared before the Board desiring assistance in acquiring a small farm tractor for the school. They were instructed to get estimates and present them to the Board. Prof. Mickens stated that the plans for the new building for Moore Academy did not provide for an office or library, and he offered a plan for such with temporary construction. The board voted to accept the Superintendent's recommendation.

On Apr. 17, 1951, these teachers were appointed to Moore Academy: Thelma V. Burt, Arrewintha S. Campbell, Claudia Lewis, Ruby L. Taylor, Osceola P. Moore, Willie V. Silas, Martha Lewis, Mozelle D. Ford.

On Apr. 17, 1952, these teachers were appointed to Moore Academy: Thelma B. Yarn, Willie V. Silas, Claudia Lewis, Martha Lewis, Opal Lawrence, Mary H. Marshall, Christine E. Mickens, James N. Taylor, Osceola P. Moore, Arrewintha S. Campbell, Ruby L. Taylor, Moselle D. Ford, Allie D. Penix, Louise P. Gilbert, Hiram J. Goodwin.

A new school was built in 1952 to house Moore Elementary School which still stands as part of the Moore-Mickens complex on East Main Ave.

School board minutes of Sept. 9, 1952, indicate that Mr. Mickens requested a shower and dressing room be installed at Moore Academy and the Board allocated $295.00. Mr. Mickens further stated that a drinking fountain was needed at the school and could be installed for $99.24. It was approved.

On Apr. 28, 1953, these teachers were appointed at Moore Academy: Thelma B. Yarn, Claudia Lewis, Mozelle D. Ford, Mary H. Marshall, Hiram J. Goodwin, Willie V. Silas, Ruby L. Taylor, Walter J. Young, Louise P. Gilbert, James N. Taylor, Arrewintha S. Campbell, Martha Lewis, Allie D. Penix, Christine E. Mickens, Mike Ardis.

In September 1953, Hayes Howard, a graduate of Florida A & M College, and Josephine Gadsden, a graduate of Bethune Cookman College, were appointed teachers at Moore Academy.

The first football team was in 1953, according to the recollection of Robert Johnson, a member of the team.

On Apr. 13, 1954, these teachers were appointed at Moore Academy: Thelma B. Yarn, Arrewintha S. Campbell, Ruby L. Taylor, Mozelle D. Ford, Hayes M. Howard, Allie D. Penix, Louise P. Gilbert, Hiram J. Goodwin, Melvin Dennard, Willie V. Silas, Claudia Lewis, Martha Lewis, Thelma Thomas, Walter J. Young, Mary H. Marshall, Christine E. Mickens, James N. Taylor, Edward S. Desmore

The high school students remained at Moore Academy until 1956 when Mickens High School was built next to the new elementary school.

School board minutes of Mar. 13, 1956, show that O. K. Mickens reported that the school has now occupied the new building.

School board minutes of Mar. 15, 1956, indicate that the name Moore High School was changed to Mickens High School.

On Mar. 28, 1956, these teachers were appointed to Moore High School: Bessie Barefield, Arrewintha Campbell, Mozelle D. Ford, Cora E. Hill, Hayes Howard, Claudia Lewis, Martha L. Lewis, Willie V. Silas, Thelma Thomas, Dorothy Trammer, Inez O. James, Thelma B. Yarn, Myrtle Jones, Mike C. Ardis, Harold E. Byrd, Melvin Dennard, Matthias Evans, Violet George, Louise P. Gilbert, Hiram J. Goodwin, Mary H. Marshall, Christine E. Mickens, Allie D. Penix, Estus Smith, Walter J. Young, Secretary - Irene F. Gause Janitors - Ennis Hansberry, Ira Bucklon.

On March 12, 1957, Odell K. Mickens was appointed Principal of Mickens High School.

At its May 14, 1957, meeting, the Board decided that the name Mickens High School name would remain the same. The elementary section will be Moore Elementary School. The combination will be known as Moore-Mickens School.

On May 13, 1958, these teachers were appointed to Moore-Mickens Elementary School: Bessie Barefield, Arrewintha Campbell, Mozelle D. Ford, Cora Elizabeth Hill, Hayes W. Howard, Claudia L. Lewis, Martha L. Lewis, Willie V. Silas, Thelma E. Thomas, Dorothy B. Trammer, Inez O. Wright, Thelma B. Yarn, Walter J. Young. The minutes show these teachers appointed to Moore-Mickens High School: Mike C. Arcadia, Harold E. Byrd, Melvin Dennard, Louise P. Gilbert, Hiram J. Goodwin, Lee H. Henderson, Mary H. Marshall, Christine E. Mickens, Allie Dee Penix, Estus Smith, Betty J. Tolbert, Dorothy G. Williams, Neal Williams.

On May 12, 1959, these teachers were appointed to Moore-Mickens School: Bessie Barefield, Arrewintha Campbell, Mozelle D. Ford, Cora Elizabeth Hill, Hayes W. Howard, Claudia Lewis, Martha Lewis, Willie V. Silas, Thelma E. Thomas, Dorothy B. Trammer, Inez O. Wright, Alice Y. Trueblood, Thelma B. Yarn, Fredrina Sunecia Tolbert, Mike C. Ardis, Harold E. Byrd, Melvin Dennard, Louise P. Gilbert, Hiram J. Goodwin, Mary H. Marshall, Christine E. Mickens, Allie D. Penix, Betty J. Tolbert, Neal Williams, David Brundige, Luther Jones, Jr., Ethel Virginia Strong (new).

On Apr. 28, 1960, these teachers were appointed to Mickens High School: Bessie Barefield, Arrewintha S. Campbell, Mozelle D. Ford, Cora E. Hill, Hayes W. Howard, Claudie Lewis, Martha L. Lewis, Willie V. Silas, Thelma E. Thomas, Dorothy B. Trammer, Inez Wright, Alice Trueblood, Thelma B. Yarn, Maye Daisy Williams, Melvin Dennard, Mike C. Ardis, Louise P. Gilbert, Hiram J. Goodwin, Mary H. Marshall, Christine E. Mickens, Allie Dee Penix, Neal Williams, David Brundidge, Ethel V. Strong, Naomi Jackson.

On Apr. 19, 1961, these were teachers appointed to Mickens High School: Bessie F. Barefield, Arrewintha S. Campbell, Melvin Dennard, Moselle D. Ford, Cora E. Hill, Hayes W. Howard, Claudia Lewis, Martha L. Lewis, Willie V. Silas, Thelma E. Thomas, Inez O. Wright, Alice S. Trueblood, Thelma B. Yarn, Maye D. Williams, Mike C. Ardis, David L. Brundidge, Louise P. Gilbert, Hiram J. Goodwin, William L. Glover, Lee H. Henderson, Mary H. Marshall, Christine E. Mickens, Allie Dee Penix, Naomi J. Petty, Jeffery Sims, Neal Williams, Mr . Homer W. LeBlanc, Mrs. Muriel F. Miller, Mrs. Veta M. Neal, Mrs. Myra M. O'Berry, Mrs. Miriam M. Parker, Mr. Edward E. Taylor, Mrs. Rosemary W. Trottman.

On Apr. 24, 1963, Hiram J. Goodwin was appointed Principal of Moore Elementary School. He served until he died, at which time Mrs. Arrewintha Campbell was appointed interim principal. From the fall of 1968 to June 1970, Mrs. Martha Lewis served as principal of Moore Elementary.

On Apr. 24, 1963, these teachers were appointed to Moore-Mickens: Arrewintha S. Campbell, Mozelle D. Ford, Cora E. Hill, Hayes W. Howard, Claudia Lewis, Martha L. Lewis, Ida Mae Robinson, Willie V. Silas, Thelma E. Thomas, Alice Y. Trueblood, Dorothy B. Trammer, Maye D. Williams, Inez O. Wright, Thelma B. Yarn, Hiram J. Goodwin (Principal Elementary), David L. Brundidge, Melvin Dennard, Louise P. Gilbert, Mary H. Marshall, Christine E. Mickens, Allie Dee Penix, Mattie L. Puckett, Jerry Sims, Betty Joan Turner, Neal Williams, Harold Dee Wright, Mike C. Ardis, Carolyn S. Reid, Mildred B. Smith, Janice R. Jackson

Mike Ardis, who taught at Mickens High School for 17 years, coached seven baseball teams to state championships.

One of the graduates in 1965 was Charles "Bo" Harrison, who was shot and killed while sitting in his Pasco County Sheriff's Office patrol car on June 1, 2003. Harrison was hired as a corrections officer, the second black person to join the department when he started in 1972. At Mickens he was a star quarterback and pitcher, and vice president of his senior class.

Another famous alum is baseball player Jim "Mudcat" Grant.

In 1970, black students integrated into the local schools. Mickens students moved to Pasco Jr. and Pasco Comprehensive High School.

Mickens Parents Protest HEW Integration Edict

A special committee of parents representing the Mickens PTA appealed to the Pasco County School Board Tuesday to prevent the phasing out of Mickens High School in the hopes of keeping its high school status but integrating the classes. Mrs. Julia Harrell, chairman of the group, acted as spokesman in behalf of the parents and questioned the board about the meaning of the federal edict of November 17th delivered to the board by HEW.

Mrs. Harrell stated that from her understanding, HEW said that "the school must be integrated, and not the Negro schools phased out. The Negro community is proud of their school and don't want to lose the identity. Why can't Mickens be integrated?" she protested. "We don't have nothing but that school and now you're going to take that away. It gives our young people joy and it is our social as well as our academic center."

Attorney Dayton pointed out that under federal edict, Mickens would have to have 68 percent white students to 32 percent Negro students because of the county racial percentage. All vestiges of the dual system must be eliminated. He further explained that it would not be feasible to operate Mickens as a high school because of the limited facilities and limited enrollment which could be housed.

Dr. Hartzell explained that Pasco High School in a sense would also be phased out as all those students would also be transferred to the Comprehensive High School. The new school will be capable of offering to all students a broader curriculum in both academic and vocational subjects because of the new facilities as well as the large number of students.

Superintendent Taylor assured the group that the Mickens personnel would not lose their jobs. In answer to the question about the future of Mickens. Taylor informed the group that the school would be utilized in another capacity -- either as a junior high, a middle school or possibly a single grade school for all students in the area.

The parents requested of the board a clarification of the most recent edict delivered to the board by HEW. The Superintendent explained that according to a letter received from the regional office of HEW in Atlanta on November 17, it was probable that integration of schools must be carried out by January of 1970.

The letter stated that "in our (HEW) letter of October 9, 1969 we had requested that you develop and implement a revised plan which will eliminate the dual structure of schools no later than the opening of school in January 1970. " Taylor had responded to HEW on October 20, 1969 requesting postponement until September 1970, when the Comprehensive High School and Lacoochee Elementary would be completed and thus desegregation could take place.

Integration Plan To Use Mickens High

The Pasco County School Board Tuesday agreed on a desegregation plan to eliminate a dual system by Sept. 1 which would consolidate all sixth grade students into classes that would be held in the Moore Elementary School and Mickens High School complex. The decision to use these facilities for a single grade was determined by the limited number of classrooms.

The board expressed some concern about the reactions of the black community who have been opposing the phasing out of Mickens High School. In past months, the Negro community has requested that Mickens be used as a junior high school.

Attorney for the board, George Dayton, proposed the plan, which must meet with approval by the U. S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Supt. Chester W. Taylor explained that the recent court decision that cited a Feb. 1 deadline for total integration does not apply to Pasco County as no official word has been received from HEW.

The county would be divided into four districts -- Zephyrhills, Dade City, Lacoochee and the west coast area. Students who live south of a line about half-way between Zephyrhills and Dade City would attend schools in Zephyrhills, those north of the line would go to Dade City schools. This would send about 80 Negro students from Dade City to Zephyrhills.

With the completion of the comprehensive high school, students from both Mickens and Pasco High School would be consolidated.

Students in Lacoochee will remain in the same facilities until the new elementary school can be completed in October. Then all students both black and white, would be housed together in the new building.

Those students who are presently enrolled in elementary and junior high school at Moore will be distributed among the other Dade City schools.

Dayton explained that if integration were immediately forced in the county, temporary facilities could be used to unify the students.