| Delta Vocational Technical School |
| George Washington Carver High School 1952-1966 |
| Marked Tree High School |
| Normandy Elementary School |
| Red Oak School |
| Tulot School |
Register on the Marked Tree High School Alumni Site
Delta Technical Institute opened its doors August 1967 at its main campus located on Highway 63 in Marked Tree. It was one of the first post secondary vocational technical schools established in the state. The original structure had approximately 26,000 square feet with seven vocational programs, a staff of 17 and an enrollment of 71 for the first term. Today, Delta has expanded the main campus as well as having added satellite locations in Jonesboro, Harrisburg and Trumann. The main campus in Marked Tree still provides the majority of vocational programs. Adult education is offered at the Marked Tree, Trumann and Harrisburg facilities. Currently, Delta offers 13 vocational programs with a full-time staff of 37 and approximately 20 to 30 part-time employees at various times throughout the year. Vocational technical programs offered include: Automotive Service Technician, Automotive Body Repair, Energy Control Technology, Digital Electronics Technology, Truck Driving, Cosmetology, Accounting, Secretarial, Data Processing, Nurse Technician, Emergency Medical Technician, Para-Medic and Licensed Practical Nursing. In addition to full-time vocational training programs, Delta offers industry extension classes in refresher courses, related instruction or classes to upgrade the skills of current employees. Approximately 2,000 individuals receive this supplementary training each year. The Adult Education program offers basic skills in preparing for the GED diploma. Delta has had 5,207 graduates in the above full-time programs from 1968-1996. Since 1970, 2,981 individuals have successfully completed the GED program and received a certificate.
An Associate degree is now being offered through Arkansas State University and Delta Technical Institute in Digital Electronics Technology, Automotive Service Technician, Business Technology and the paramedic programs. Individuals may complete the requirements for a certificate or diploma through Delta or choose to meet the requirements for an Associate degree through ASU.
Assets at present time $3,271,983. The annual budget for 1996-1997, 4 million dollars.
Delta Technical Institute serves communities within 50 mile radius. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Vocational technical training provides a unique education with the skills and hands-on training provided in labs, shops and the real workplace. Each program is kept up-to-date on the fast pace technology changes by an advisory committee consisting of local business and industry leaders working in the occupational areas.
Delta Technical Institute is governed by a local board of directors who are business, industry and professional leaders. Mr. Keith Steel is president of Delta and the board of directors include: Al Poston-Hytrol-Jonesboro; Steve Seitz-Post General Foods-Jonesboro; Pamela Woodard-Southwestern Bell-Jonesboro; Dr. Sidney Arnold-Retired-Marked Tree; Wilburn Cole-Bank oof Trumann.
Delta has been served by two former presidents: Mr. Bill Stanley of Marked Tree and Mr. Miles Collier of Trumann. -Delta Technical Institute Staff; Poinsett County, Arkansas History and Families
Members of the First Graduating Class of George Washington Carver High School |
Lest we forget! George Washington Carver High School, an institution that left its footprints in the sands of education providing all the education for black boys and girls in the Marked Tree area, the only high school in Poinsett County that black students could attend and complete their high school education. We pause today and thank God for George Washington Carver High School.
Lest we forget! Mr. W.W. Hughes, Mrs. Bessie Sims, Mr. E.E. Wheeler, Mr. Coy W. Franklin, Mr. Grisby, Mr. B.T. Johnson and Mr. Q.Z. Smith who directed us to higher grounds in education. We pause now and give God thanks for the admininstrators of George Washington Carver High School and the superintendent of Marked Tree Schools, Mr. Wylie G. Key.
Lest we forgot! Parents of our community who worked close with the principals, teachers and students giving their best for the progress of our school.
| Martha A. Watson, president |
| Willard A. "Pete" Watson |
| Kathryn Watson Murrell, secretary |
| Oscar Grant |
| Cleophas Johnson Jr., local city councilman |
| Winnie Ruth Johnson, third vice-president, treasurer |
| Lucious Johnson, financial treasurer |
| Ruth Simpson |
| Edward Johnson Sr. |
| Rogers Ford, first vice-president |
| Pauline Barnes Smith |
| Lillie Mae Jefferson Howard |
| Willa Fern Booker Lenear |
| Annie Bell Latham |
| Willie Bell Williams |
| John Moore |
| Rose Mary Purdy Willis |
| Ezell Gladney |
Carver Reunion Board oversees a bi-annual event, on the Carver campus every two years, since 1991. We set aside the date for the Memorial Day weekend and graduates and friends come from every state to be with us as we share in holding on to our memories and friends. Even though our beloved building has been dismantled, the gym still stands so that's where we gather. Carver was a high school from 1952-1966. The Graduates of that period relish and cherish those memories. - Poinsett County, Arkansas History and Families
Early educational advantages in Marked Tree were very limited during the pioneer days. Most of the first schools were privately taught and a mere handful of children attended. The small enrollment was due to the fact that Marked Tree had only a few families with children of school age.
The first school was taught in 1897 by John W. Perkins in the old Woodman Hall about one mile from town. Only about 15 pupils attended. The school master was known to his pupils as "Uncle John" for he was a kind and well-liked man.
The school terms at Woodman were short since during most of the year the children were unable to attend because of the bad weather and bad roads.
In a few years, private schools were held in town. A Miss Giliman opened a school at a boardinghouse near where Scott Furniture Company is located. This school lasted for a short time and then another school was started by Mrs. Frank Trask under a store building which stood near the underpass on Nathan Street.
These early schools confined thier teachings to the essentials; reading, writing and arithmetic. Long benches provided the only seating. Slates were in vogue and the pupils studied their lessons without textbooks or the many other educational helps now used.
The first public school was opened in the city hall in 1901 with N.J. Hazel as teacher. The enrollment grew so rapidly that in 1904 Marked Tree built its first school building. Capt. G.W. Hines, who built a great many of the building at that time, was the contractor.
Eight grades were taught and two teachers were added to the faculty. N.J. Hazel served as superintendent. As the town grew in the next 10 years, the school became so crowded that plans were launched to build a larger and more modern building.
In February 1915, a three-story brick building was built on three acres of ground given by Mr. E. Ritter. The school faced St. Francis Street, and it contained room for all 12 grades, plus an auditorium, library and rest rooms for students and teachers. The first Marked Tree High School graduates were Miss Alto Smith, Frank and Henry Wall in May 1919.
In March 1937 a new elementary school was built, one block north of the three-story high school, facing St. Francis Street. It had 12 classrooms, an office, library, study rooms and large combination gymnasium and auditorium with dressing and shower rooms. It also had a large cafeteria located in the basement of the west wing. This school buildling was later designated as the middle school. It was destroyed by fire in 1975.
In September 1938 a new school for the black community was built. It had six classrooms and an auditorium.
There were more additions to the campus on St. Francis Street of a vocational agriculture building that contained study rooms and a shop. The new home economics cottage had a living room, dining room, bath, study and a completely equipped kitchen. Another building to house the band and a two bus garage was built on Dawson Street. The 300 by 600 foot athletic field was just back of the school. There were bleachers, a fine scoreboard with public address equipment and 30 lights of 4,800 watt capacity mounted on 60 foot poles.
The summer of 1949 the old three-story brick high school building was remodled, removing the third floor and adding nine new classrooms, library, study hall, new auditorium and two new offices. This added the room needed for the growth of the student body and it improved the appearance of the older part of the high school building.
During 1957 a new elementary school was built on Normandy Street. It had 10 classrooms, a cafetorium and several offices.
September 1966 brought desegregation to the Marked Tree School System and 100 black students were added to the student body.
Buildings that have been added since 1966; 1970 a new stand alone band room; 1979 the vocational agriculture building with a large shop area plus classroom and office, also a separate cafetorium. 1990 brought an addition to the high school of eight larger classrooms, plus restrooms for students and faculty and a faculty break room. At this time the decision was made to remove the second floor of the old three-story red brick building that was built in 1915.
In 1906 there were funds to build an auditorium that would seat 400 people. It was built where the original red brick high school was built in 1915. All remnants of that high school building that had served the Marked Tree public school system for 81 years was now gone, but not forgotten.
The following superintendents have served the Marked Tree public school system:
H.R. Lyle 1938-1939 L.J. Lanier 1939-1941 Wylie G. Key 1941-1966 Frank Sanders 1966-1986 Charles Sims 1986-1990 Dr. Angelo Cappolla 1990-1992 Bobby Miller 1992-1993 Cliff Wishum 1993-1994 Linda Stogsdill 1994-1997 Larry Garrison 1997-Poinsett County, Arkansas History and Families