Highland High School History
Kentucky Post, Monday, 28 December 1936, page 2
Miss Betty Reiley, Alexandria, organized the first high school in Ft Thomas, then known as Highlands. She taught two years, then resigned to go to school. The old high school building, later remodeled into the Ft Thomas City Building, was built and dedicated in 1884. Miss Reiley's work was taken up by Professor Charles Pfeffer, who in turn, was succeeded by Ben West. After a few years the school was discontinued. Later it was reorganized by Professor James G McGinnis.
The first graduate of the high school was Dr. L L Ross, present mayor of Ft Thomas. This was in 1891. Professor Reiley was then principal and superintendent of the schools. Miss Mary McVean was another teacher of this period. She served as assistant principal.
Previous to the organization of the high school there was a one room school house, known as the Old Mt Pleasant School, in the northern section of the city. Later, a one room school was founded in the southern section of the city. The Old Mt Pleasant School has been replaced by the Robert D Johnson School. Several educators and ministers of note taught in the Old Mt Pleasant School at various times during the period from the war between the states and 1885.
Two years later in 1892, there were four graduates from the high school. Professor McGinnis was succeeded as principal an superintendent by J C W Hall. Since then there have been four superintendents, F M Andrews, F A Cosgrove, Charles R Rounds and the present superintendent. For 23 years, 1905 to 1928, Highlands High School grew and prospered under the leadership of Miss Anna Belle Regenstein. After her death in 1928, Miss Margaret Moery served as principal for one year. Professor F A Rudd was principal from 1929 to 1934, when the present principal Joe W Austin, succeeded him.
More than 1000 pupils have been graduated from Highlands, One third of these entered college. The site of the present high school was at the time of purchase from M M Allen, a brickyard and pasture. The cost of the original building was estimated at $77,000. The central portion was completed in 1916, the south rear wing, second and third stories were added in 1921 and the north rear wing, second and third floors in 1926. In 1927 the gymnasium and one story were added.
Until 1933 when the Robert D Johnson and Samuel Woodfill Schools were completed, all grades were in the central building. Until 1930 when Ruth Moyer School was built some of the primary grades were in the high school building. Ten years ago the high school enrolled 333 pupils. The enrollment today is 630.
Members of the Board of Education are Fred E Hall, president; Andrew Donaldson, vice president; Miss Elizabeth Chapman, secretary; H Randall Stegeman, Gibson Rose and Claude W Johnson. Mr. Johnson retired last week after 16 years of continuous service.