Within four years they had established themselves as sensitive, caring, intelligent and generous benefactors with the creation of the Taconic Foundation (the name coming from the mountain range in Vermont where the young couple had chosen their favorite retreat in Danby). Stephen and Audrey Currier were ready, in the words of their soon-to-be counselor and friend Jane Lee Eddy, “to look out over the edge of the social horizon and chart a course with real meaning for their generation.”
Along with New York attorney Lloyd K. Garrison, Harold Fleming, and the Southern Regional Council the Curriers founded the Potomac Institute in Washington, DC. Here began what was destined to be a brief but brilliant partnership in the fine art of public service.
Along with New York attorney Lloyd K. Garrison, Harold Fleming, and the Southern Regional Council the Curriers founded the Potomac Institute in Washington, DC. Here began what was destined to be a brief but brilliant partnership in the fine art of public service.
Currier Memorial SchoolOn January 30, 1964 a gift of $80,000 was presented to the Danby School Board by Stephen and Audrey Currier to study and work on plans for a new elementary school. At a joint meeting of the Danby Selectboard and the school directors in February, 1964 a committee was appointed with William Nichols as chairman and Vernon Carabeau Jr., Goodwin Crosby, John Griffith Sr., Michael Halligan, Virginia Keeler, Edith Raiche, Muriel Scally and Leo Thaler as members. In December of that year the State Board of Education recommended the formation of Union District #23 for the towns of Danby and Mt. Tabor. On April 24, 1965 a bond issue was passed in the amount of $100,755.00, State Aid in the amount of $43,440.00 was received as well as an additional gift from the Curriers in the amount of $116,848.47 and a gift of $100.00 from Goodwin Crosby.
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The land was purchased and the building constructed by the John A. Russell Corporation and the school opened in September, 1966 with approximately 200 students attending is grades 1 – 8. A kindergarten program was not approved until 1972 at Town Meeting. Mr. Currier endowed the school with a special Principal’s fund which purchased library books, easels, teachers’ supplies, and an overhead projector. He also gave a Valentine’s Day party in February of that first school year.
The professional staff consisted of Georgia Carabeau, Teaching Principal; Virginia Colvin, June Greene, Philip Lidstone, Frances Mitchell, Frank Salengo, Marion Clemons, and Catherine Moriarty. Teacher’s salaries averaged $155.00 paid every two weeks. |