The Watonga School Board looked at and listened to plans to memorialize the now-demolished Dunbar School. It was located in the 200 block of South Spiece Avenue and served a historically Black community until public schools were integrated in the late 1950s or early 1960s. It is believed that the last graduating class at Dunbar was 1957.
Later the building was used for early childhood care and education until that, too, was moved to newer buildings.
The old school was demolished in 2023 and planning began to commemorate the place it held in the community.
Dr. Dwight McGee has been the liaison between the school board and the citizens working on the memorial from the get-go.
Monday evening, Superintended Kyle Hilterbran showed the board what the project could look like.
The site plan shows the existing sidewalk that would have gone to the front doors resurfaced and terminating in a circular pad. On that pad may stand a granite four-sided obelisk. Each side shows a plaque. One plaque would be inscribed with the school mottos, and another with the names of the faculty and staff members. The third and fourth sides may hold plaques with historic photos of Dunbar football teams.
The board discussed ground lighting, flower beds and railing.
“If the representatives of the community think this is appropriate, I think it is top-notch,” said board member Aaron Clewell. However, he suggested limiting the landscaping to shade trees and eliminating the lighting because of the upkeep and ensuring the electric bill is paid timely. He also pointed out issues with ground lighting that was installed at Centennial Park next to his place of business, lighting, he said, only remained functional about six months.
Clewell did point out the shrine should have benches included in the cost estimates.
McGee said he would meet with the committee and get its input on the proposal so that the school board could move ahead with getting quotes as the board was working with estimates, which are not binding.
The board had previously budgeted $50,000 for the project. Estimates are slightly higher, coming in around $75,000. If the lighting, railing and landscaping were included, the costs could be as much as $88,000.