History & Timeline
Community Unit School District 308 is a living, breathing part of Oswego, Illinois, and its neighboring communities. For more than a century, it's been a vital thread in the fabric of our town's story, evolving alongside us as we've grown and changed.
Back in the early 1830s, when Oswego Township was still unsettled and untamed, a small group of settlers had a big vision. They didn't just want to carve out a living in the wilderness; they wanted to build a community—a place where families could thrive. Right alongside the cabins and farms, they built and erected the first schoolhouse—a humble log cabin where children gathered to learn from the pioneering educator, George Washington Kellogg.
By 1852, as Oswego started to take shape as a bustling village, the "Old Stone School" was built. It wasn't just a building; it was a symbol of the village's commitment to education, proudly standing on the corner of Tyler and Monroe Streets, a beacon of learning in our growing town.
Life isn't without its challenges. In 1885, tragedy struck with the devastating fire that razed the beloved Old Stone School to the ground. Yet, from the ashes emerged the Red Brick School—a testament to our resilience and determination to rebuild, stronger than ever.
In 1903, we celebrated a historic milestone as the first African-American student graduated from Oswego High School. It was a moment that spoke volumes about our values of inclusivity and equality, reminding us that education is the great equalizer.
As the decades rolled by, so did the changes. The swinging sixties brought a period of growth and transformation, culminating in the birth of a modern Oswego High School and the consolidation of smaller districts into the unified force we know today as Oswego Community Unit School District 308—a testament to our commitment to working together for the greater good.
Through it all, the community has never lost sight of the students' needs and has always stood behind their schools to provide the best possible education for its approximately 17,000 students.
Today, under the compassionate leadership of Superintendent Dr. Andalib Khelghati, SD 308 remains as committed as ever to our mission of nurturing young minds and preparing them for the future. With a legacy built on resilience, innovation, and a deep-seated belief in the power of education, we continue to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for generations of students in Oswego and beyond.
Timeline 1832 - Present
1832 - Village and School Formation
1834 - Oswego Township was settled in 1833; Village of Oswego in 1834
1837 - First school was established in the form of a Log Cabin with its one teacher being George Washington Kellogg.
1852 - After holding classes in a series of borrowed buildings, the “Old Stone School” is constructed at the northwest corner of Tyler and Monroe Streets in Oswego.
1867 - The “Oswego Seminary” becomes the first high school after residents vote to renovate the old courthouse building at the corner of where the current Village Green Park, Oswego Community Bank, and Oswego Post office are located.
1885 - The Old Stone School is gutted by fire, and students are temporarily housed in the Oswego Seminary. Because the Old Stone School is also deteriorating, it is demolished at the end of the school year, and the Red Brick School is built on the same site for approximately $10,000. The building consists of four large classrooms to house both elementary and secondary students.
1887 - Five students become the first graduates of the district; the Class of 1900 saw four young women graduate; and the Class of 1903 was the first African-American to graduate from Oswego High School.
1915 - The school district buys the church about a block from the Red Brick School. The church became known as the “Little White School House”.
1936 - Voters decided to create the Oswego Community High School District (which included Oswego Township, 14 Sections of NaAuSay Township, 6 Sections of Bristol Township, and 7.5 Sections of Wheatland Township located in Will County).
1940 - The enrollment for the students during the school year of 1939-1940 was 115 students.
1948 - Superintendent of Schools: T. Loyd Traughber
A modern high school with a cafeteria, allowing hot lunches to be served for the first time, is constructed at Franklin and Washington Streets in Oswego, currently District 308 Center.
1951 - The enrollment for the students during the school year of 1951-1952 was 590 students.
1957 - A separate, but attached Junior High wing was added to the high school.
1961 - Boulder Hill Elementary opens to handle the influx of students from the new subdivision. District student population: 1,768. In May of this year, voters approve to consolidating all schools into a Unit District.
1964 - The new Oswego High School opens on Route 71 across from East View. The former high school became Oswego Junior High.
1965 - The Red Brick School is demolished and the Little White School is used as storage.
1966 - An Annex is added to East View Elementary which will serve as Fifth and Sixth Grade classrooms as well as the District’s Administration Center.
1967 - Long Beach Elementary opens.
1968 - Superintendent of Schools: Dr. Robert Boggs
1970 - Superintendent of Schools: John Bednarcik
1971 - District student population has now doubled in 10 years from 1,768 to 3,497.
1972 - The Early Childhood Special Education program starts with one classroom at Long Beach Elementary.
1977 - Thompson Junior High is constructed on Boulder Hill Pass and named after long-time music and band teacher Reeve R. Thompson. Oswego Junior High is renamed Traughber Junior High after long-time school superintendent Thomas L. Traughber.
1983 - The 150th class of Oswego High School Graduates
1985 - Superintendent of Schools: Dr. Terry Tamblyn
1986 - Early Bird/At Risk Preschool Program is launched.
1987 - Voters approve a $14-million bond issue for additions and renovations to each of the district’s six buildings.
1991 - The enrollment for the students during the school year of 1991-1992 was 4,180 students.
1992 - Superintendent of Schools: Dr. Joyce Saldana
1993 - Superintendent of Schools: Dr. Karl Plank
1994 - The Academically Talented (AT) program begins.
1997 - Old Post Elementary opens.
1998 - A $47.5-million referendum is passed to renovate existing buildings and construct two additional elementary schools.
2001 - Wheatlands Elementary and Fox Chase Elementary open. The enrollment for the students during the school year of 2001-2002 was 7,785 students.
2002 - Superintendent of Schools: Dr. David Behlow
Bednarcik Junior High and Homestead Elementary open in the Aurora area. Voters approve a $155- million referendum to build up to seven new schools, including a second high school.
2004 - Oswego East High School (OEHS) and Lakewood Creek Elementary open. Early Childhood Special Education has 10 classrooms, an office, and a gross motor room housed at OEHS.
2005 - Three new elementary schools open—Prairie Point, Churchill, and Wolf’s Crossing. The enrollment for the students during the school year of 2005-2006 was 12,650 students.
2006 - Plank Junior High opens in Churchill subdivision and is named after former school superintendent Dr. Karl Plank. Voters approve a $450-million referendum to finance the construction of five additional schools as well as renovate and expand nine existing buildings.
2007 - Grande Park Elementary and Brokaw Early Learning Center open.
2008 - Superintendent of Schools: Dan O’Donnell
Traughber Junior High School opens a new building and is named after longtime superintendent Thomas Loyd Traughber. Southbury Elementary opens. The old Traughber Junior High becomes the District 308 Center.
2009 - Both Hunt Club Elementary and Murphy Junior High open. (Murphy Junior High served as Opportunity School and G.O.A.L. Program school until 2012.) The junior high is named after Oswego native Robinson Barr Murphy, the youngest man ever to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
2011 - School District 308 celebrates the 50-year anniversary of the 1961 consolidation of High School District 300 and Elementary School District 8.
2012 - Superintendent of Schools: Dr. Matthew Wendt
SD 308 Board of Education voted 5-2 to approve the Boundary Committee Recommendations for the 2012-2013 School Year.
2013 - The enrollment for the students during the school year of 2013-2014 was 17,086 students. Teachers with advanced degrees: 895.
2016 - Superintendent of Schools: Dr. John Sparlin
2022 - Superintendent of Schools: Dr. Andalib Khelghati
1834 - Oswego Township was settled in 1833; Village of Oswego in 1834
1837 - First school was established in the form of a Log Cabin with its one teacher being George Washington Kellogg.
1852 - After holding classes in a series of borrowed buildings, the “Old Stone School” is constructed at the northwest corner of Tyler and Monroe Streets in Oswego.
1867 - The “Oswego Seminary” becomes the first high school after residents vote to renovate the old courthouse building at the corner of where the current Village Green Park, Oswego Community Bank, and Oswego Post office are located.
1885 - The Old Stone School is gutted by fire, and students are temporarily housed in the Oswego Seminary. Because the Old Stone School is also deteriorating, it is demolished at the end of the school year, and the Red Brick School is built on the same site for approximately $10,000. The building consists of four large classrooms to house both elementary and secondary students.
1887 - Five students become the first graduates of the district; the Class of 1900 saw four young women graduate; and the Class of 1903 was the first African-American to graduate from Oswego High School.
1915 - The school district buys the church about a block from the Red Brick School. The church became known as the “Little White School House”.
1936 - Voters decided to create the Oswego Community High School District (which included Oswego Township, 14 Sections of NaAuSay Township, 6 Sections of Bristol Township, and 7.5 Sections of Wheatland Township located in Will County).
1940 - The enrollment for the students during the school year of 1939-1940 was 115 students.
1948 - Superintendent of Schools: T. Loyd Traughber
A modern high school with a cafeteria, allowing hot lunches to be served for the first time, is constructed at Franklin and Washington Streets in Oswego, currently District 308 Center.
1951 - The enrollment for the students during the school year of 1951-1952 was 590 students.
1957 - A separate, but attached Junior High wing was added to the high school.
1961 - Boulder Hill Elementary opens to handle the influx of students from the new subdivision. District student population: 1,768. In May of this year, voters approve to consolidating all schools into a Unit District.
1964 - The new Oswego High School opens on Route 71 across from East View. The former high school became Oswego Junior High.
1965 - The Red Brick School is demolished and the Little White School is used as storage.
1966 - An Annex is added to East View Elementary which will serve as Fifth and Sixth Grade classrooms as well as the District’s Administration Center.
1967 - Long Beach Elementary opens.
1968 - Superintendent of Schools: Dr. Robert Boggs
1970 - Superintendent of Schools: John Bednarcik
1971 - District student population has now doubled in 10 years from 1,768 to 3,497.
1972 - The Early Childhood Special Education program starts with one classroom at Long Beach Elementary.
1977 - Thompson Junior High is constructed on Boulder Hill Pass and named after long-time music and band teacher Reeve R. Thompson. Oswego Junior High is renamed Traughber Junior High after long-time school superintendent Thomas L. Traughber.
1983 - The 150th class of Oswego High School Graduates
1985 - Superintendent of Schools: Dr. Terry Tamblyn
1986 - Early Bird/At Risk Preschool Program is launched.
1987 - Voters approve a $14-million bond issue for additions and renovations to each of the district’s six buildings.
1991 - The enrollment for the students during the school year of 1991-1992 was 4,180 students.
1992 - Superintendent of Schools: Dr. Joyce Saldana
1993 - Superintendent of Schools: Dr. Karl Plank
1994 - The Academically Talented (AT) program begins.
1997 - Old Post Elementary opens.
1998 - A $47.5-million referendum is passed to renovate existing buildings and construct two additional elementary schools.
2001 - Wheatlands Elementary and Fox Chase Elementary open. The enrollment for the students during the school year of 2001-2002 was 7,785 students.
2002 - Superintendent of Schools: Dr. David Behlow
Bednarcik Junior High and Homestead Elementary open in the Aurora area. Voters approve a $155- million referendum to build up to seven new schools, including a second high school.
2004 - Oswego East High School (OEHS) and Lakewood Creek Elementary open. Early Childhood Special Education has 10 classrooms, an office, and a gross motor room housed at OEHS.
2005 - Three new elementary schools open—Prairie Point, Churchill, and Wolf’s Crossing. The enrollment for the students during the school year of 2005-2006 was 12,650 students.
2006 - Plank Junior High opens in Churchill subdivision and is named after former school superintendent Dr. Karl Plank. Voters approve a $450-million referendum to finance the construction of five additional schools as well as renovate and expand nine existing buildings.
2007 - Grande Park Elementary and Brokaw Early Learning Center open.
2008 - Superintendent of Schools: Dan O’Donnell
Traughber Junior High School opens a new building and is named after longtime superintendent Thomas Loyd Traughber. Southbury Elementary opens. The old Traughber Junior High becomes the District 308 Center.
2009 - Both Hunt Club Elementary and Murphy Junior High open. (Murphy Junior High served as Opportunity School and G.O.A.L. Program school until 2012.) The junior high is named after Oswego native Robinson Barr Murphy, the youngest man ever to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
2011 - School District 308 celebrates the 50-year anniversary of the 1961 consolidation of High School District 300 and Elementary School District 8.
2012 - Superintendent of Schools: Dr. Matthew Wendt
SD 308 Board of Education voted 5-2 to approve the Boundary Committee Recommendations for the 2012-2013 School Year.
2013 - The enrollment for the students during the school year of 2013-2014 was 17,086 students. Teachers with advanced degrees: 895.
2016 - Superintendent of Schools: Dr. John Sparlin
2022 - Superintendent of Schools: Dr. Andalib Khelghati
