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In 1969, the towns of Athens, Grafton, Rockingham, and Westminster formed Union High School District 27 and began plans for a District High School. Residents wanted a school that could be also used as a community learning center for adult education classes, club meetings, and civic affairs. Administrators and teachers wanted a school that would permit them to try out new ideas and allow for individual differences in teaching styles. All wanted a school that would not be obsoleted in a few years by changes in educational philosophy or requirements. They found their answer in a school designed on a flexible, open space plan. All interior walls (except those needed for noise control or privacy) were eliminated to obtain a fluid interior. thus, the school is adaptable for traditional or innovative programs,
lectures or discussions, team or individual teaching, large or small classes. Each of the main function areas, academic, fine and applied arts, gymnasium, and industrial arts, is located in a separate section. Each section can be closed off from the others and each has direct access to the outside so that several events can be held simultaneously without interference....
The previous passage is the introduction to a pamphlet entitled "The New Union High School, Bellows Falls, Vermont that was produced in the early seventies, shortly after the school was opened in the fall of 1971. In that first year, the new building, which was built to handle 800 high school student, grades nine through twelve. Over thirty years later, visitors are still impressed by the academic facilities, athletic fields, and over 175 wooded acres that encompass the Bellows Falls Union High School campus. The first impression of many is of a building that could not be more than ten years old, of a first class auditorium and performing arts facility, and of one of the largest high school gymnasiums that they have ever seen. These accomplishments are a combination of forward looking design and building, coupled
with a focused effort at an aggressive maintenance and improvement program over the years.
The building opened with Mr. Charles Davis as the first principal. Upon his retirement in 1981, Mr. Davis was replaced by Mr. Ned Caron, who led the school for 15 years. Mr. Warren Baugher then served as principal for three years. In 1999, the leadership of the building was transferred to Mr. John Doty. Mr. Doty retired in 2005 and the position was then passed to our current principal, Mr. Christopher E. Hodsden. During that time period, numerous teachers have worked with the students of BFUHS. While this school has a long tradition of dedicated teaching professional that choose to spend the bulk of their teaching careers at our school, it is worth noting that we still have on staff one teacher that has been teaching for here every year that the school has been open. That teacher is Coach Spaulding
'Bis' Bisbee, longtime physical education teacher. In fact, Coach Bisbee is the only staff member who taught at the old Bellows Falls High School before the Union High School opened.
While the 129,413 square foot building and its adjoining grounds have changed very little since the facility first opened its doors to students, returning graduates would be able to find some difference from past years. The soft, 'rubberized' floor that was originally employed in the gym has been replaced with a more 'traditional' wood floor. The late sixties vintage stage curtain was replaced with an elegant dark purple curtain. In fact, the stage lighting and sound system that was part of the original equipment in the building has also been replaced with state of the art equipment, making our auditorium the best location for plays, concerts, and assemblies of all kinds (now if we could just replace those seats...) There is a twenty-station computer lab occupying the space that used to be the local TV station,
located just behind the main office, (one of three such labs in the building.) Except for the addition of a softball field in the field immediately out in front of the high school and nearly a dozen newly planted maple trees on the islands between the parking lot and the building, the grounds can still be found in the same immaculate condition as they were found in the early years of the school. While the track at the Hadley Field athletic facilities has been replaced a few times in the life of the school and the wooden dugouts have been replaced with a new cinder block dugouts, the most noticeable change over the years at Hadley Field has been the addition of a concession stand/track storage facility adjacent to the track and tennis courts. This was graciously donated a few years ago by the Booster Club and build with the help of countless volunteer laborers. The most recent visible change for our school has been the addition of two beautiful granite signs
at the front entrance on Route 5. These fantastic monuments, made possible by a donation of nearly $15,000 by an alumnus, make a wonderful first impression for visitors as well as members of the 'Terrier Family'.
As a closing to this brief history of our great school, I will again quote the aforementioned pamphlet that was produced to promote this facility at its birth. That document closes with...
No one at Bellows Falls believes that the program is perfect. Improvements and innovations will continue to be the goal of everyone involved, including students and parents as well as teachers, the school administration, and the community. The school design allows for change in curriculum and operation. Already there is a plan for a yearly review. In this way, Bellows Falls Union High School hopes to continue on the road to excellence.
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