Revere Local School District

Richfield Elementary with the additions of the library in the middle and cafeteria on the right

In 1949, discussions began between Bath and Richfield school districts regarding the consolidation of their two districts. There was an agreement reached and land was purchased to build a new consolidated high school. While construction was taking place on the new high school, students split their days between Richfield and Bath schools (9th and 10th graders at Richfield in the morning and Bath in the afternoon). After completion of the high school, Richfield School became a K-8 building serving the residents of Richfield and improvements were made to Richfield to accommodate. Mr. Harold Schweisberger continued to serve as principal for the first year before becoming the principle for Revere High School the following year with Esther Burkett taking offer Richfield as the principal. With the addition of Hillcrest School in 1957 (6–8) to the district, Richfield School became a K-5 building. In 1960 when Eastview Junior High School (Revere Middle School) was added, Richfield School remained a K-5 building (residents of the two communities were split between Richfield, Bath, and Hillcrest schools). In 1961 when Eastview Junior High added freshmen, Richfield, Bath, and Hillcrest schools added 6th grade. In 1980, Hillcrest School became a primary building (K–2) and Richfield and Bath schools became elementary buildings (3–6) for the residents of their communities. In 1990, the district consolidated the kids from both communities and split the grades—Richfield School (3–4) and Bath School (5–6). In 1994, Richfield School closed. The decision was made based on the condition of the original Richfield building as well as the lesser demand of room with additions being added to other buildings—6th graders went to Revere Middle School, 3rd graders went to Hillcrest School, and 4th & 5th graders went to Bath School. The newer annex (1967) housed Summit Country Preschool for a number of years until 2009. The building was then used by the district for storage until the building and the 10.2 acres it sits on was sold in June 2012.

In 1916, the old school house between the centers was torn down to make way for the brick building, doubling its size—the building was dedicated in August 1917. In 1934, an addition was built to accommodate 1st grade classrooms and a woodshop classroom. In 1937 a bond was passed to add an addition onto the northern part of the existing school. The bond paid for 60% of construction while the New Deal program WPA, paid for the other 40%. The addition included a bus garage, auditorium/gymnasium, and addition classrooms. It was completed in 1939–1949. The class of 1940 was first to graduate in the new gymnasium, previous graduation ceremonies were held in Richfield Town Hall. After completion of the high school in 1954, Richfield School became a K-8 building serving the residents of Richfield and improvements were made to Richfield to accommodate: “the seventh grade room has a new floor, the former shop room floor has been refinished and converted into kindergarten rooms. The home economics room got a new floor, while on the third floor the partition between the library and former typing room has been removed.” In 1964 the Harold Schweisberger Library was constructed and dedicated. Mr. Schweisberger was a longtime principal at Richfield, served as principal at the new Revere High School for a year, and then became Revere's Superintendent for a number of years. On November 8, 1966 a bond passed on its second try (2,250–1,526) which allowed for Richfield to build an annex west of the school. It was finished in 1968 and featured new classrooms. Those students had their classrooms and then walked to the main building for lunch, music, art, and physical education. In 1994, the school district closed Richfield Schools. The newer addition was used for Summit County Preschool until officially closing in 2009. The building was then used by the district for storage until the building and the 10.2 acres it sits on was sold in June 2012.

In 1955 a bond was passed (1,123 to 660) to build the “$625,000 new elementary school on the northwest corner of Revere and Everett Roads.” The new 12-room school was being built to house Revere's sixth, seventh, and eight grade students from the bath and Richfield schools. The building also featured a “large utility room, combining the features of auditorium/stage, gym, and cafeteria.” In January 1957 it was given the name “Hillcrest” by the board of education. The construction of the building was completed in spring of 1957 and it opened its doors in the fall of 1957 with 342 students (grades 6–8) under the leadership of Mrs. Esther Burkett who was previously the principal of Richfield School (Mrs. Caroline Clark took her position as principal at Richfield School). The official dedication took place on April 27, 1958. In November 1957, Red and Gold were selected as Hillcrest's school colors and three years later the Tiger was adopted as Hillcrest's school mascot. In the fall of 1960, with the opening of Eastview Junior High (Revere Middle School), Hillcrest became a K–5 grade school with 395 students (Bath and Richfield schools also housed K-5th grades). In 1961 when Eastview Junior High added freshmen, Hillcrest School (along with Bath and Richfield schools) added 6th grade becoming a K–6th grade building. In 1963, Hillcrest School received an addition that extended the second hallway to the same length as the first hallway. In 1980, Hillcrest School became a primary building (K–2), and Bath and Richfield schools became elementary buildings (3–6) for the residents of their communities. In 1993, major additions were planned for Hillcrest School and the groundbreaking ceremony occurred on June 10, 1993. Completed in 1994, there were two major additions put on. To the south a new hallway with classrooms was added. To the north a new hallway with library, cafeteria, kitchen, and gymnasium was added with a new classroom hallway coming off of it (running perpendicular to the existing two hallways—north/south) with classrooms. The old “utility room” (gym, stage, cafeteria) was turned into classrooms, teacher's lounge, and classrooms. 6th graders went to Revere Middle School, 3rd graders went to Hillcrest, and 4th & 5th graders went to Bath Elementary. Hillcrest School is a one-floor, 88,922 square football building located on 50.22 acres.

Hillcrest Playground Improvement In 1998, a group that included the Hillcrest PTA, donors, teachers, and students improved and expanded the Hillcrest playground.

The collage was made in 1963 with broken coffee mugs. The project was led by art teacher Bill Fox.

The tree was planted in memory of Jim Stanley in 1994. Mr. Stanley was an electrician with the Local 06 IBEW (Electrician Union) and was doing work on the Hillcrest addition when he suffered a fatal heart attack. A tree was planted on the Red Playground in his memory.

Hillcrest Nature Center

The Hillcrest Nature Center was established in 1997 as a combination memorial and educational garden. Bath resident and Hillcrest parent Susan Lines led, along with principal Fred Tomei, the effort to establish the garden. Donating services was Brown & Graves Lumber, R.B. Stout, Akron Tractor & Equipment, Jeff Knopp, Akron Plastics Industry, Goodyear, Richfield Safety Forces, North Hill Marble & Granite, along with countless other volunteers. Matthew G. Smith Bench and Rock: Was placed in 1997 as a memorial to Matthew G. Smith, a kindergartener died of neuroblastoma on December 21, 1996. Thornton Plaque: Was placed in 2013 as a memorial to Michelle “Shelly” Thornton, a student who died of neuroblastoma on February 20, 2013. She was a “spirited, funny, and curious” beautiful little girl. 9-11 Bench: Was placed in 2001 to honor the victims of the 9-11 attacks. It was donated by the Richfield Safety Forces.

The tree was planted in memory of Norma Wolfe (1943–2003) in 2003. Norma worked as an aid at Hillcrest as well as raised her kids in Revere Schools.

In 1949, discussions began between Bath and Richfield school districts regarding the consolidation of their two school districts started. There was an agreement reached and land was purchased to build a new consolidated high school. While construction was taking place on the new high school, students split their days between Bath and Richfield schools (11th and 12th graders at Bath in the morning and Richfield in the afternoon). After completion of the high school, Bath School became a K–8 building serving the residents of Bath. With the addition of Hillcrest School in 1957 (6–8) to the district, Bath became a K–5 building. In 1960 when Eastview Junior High School (Revere Middle School) was added, Bath school remained a K–5 building (residents of the two communities were split between Bath, Richfield, and Hillcrest schools). In 1961 when Eastview Junior High added freshmen—Bath, Richfield, and Hillcrest schools added 6th grade. In 1980, Hillcrest School became a primary building (K–2), and Bath and Richfield schools became elementary buildings (3-6) for the residents of their communities. In 1990, the district consolidated the kids from both communities and split the grades—Bath School (5–6) and Richfield School (3–4). In 1994, 6th graders went to Revere Middle School, 3rd graders went to Hillcrest School, and 4th & 5th graders went to Bath School. Eventually, Bath adopted the Eagle as their mascot.

In 1923, all of the one-room schools closed and the centrally located Bath School opened its doors. Bath School was a K–12 building located on the corner of Cleveland-Massillon and Bath Roads and cost $112,000 to build and equip the new school. In 1929, an additional 5 acres of property was purchased along the purchasing of a two-room portable building from Copley. The portable building was added to the south of the school to accommodate for more students. In 1952, a bond was passed to expand Bath School and in 1953 the new annex was completed. It was built directly west of the Bath building and was built for the lower grades: “Bath kindergarten and the first and second grade will occupy the new four-classroom, steel building.” On November 8, 1966 a bond passed on its second try (2,250–1,526) which allowed for Bath School to build an addition. In 1968 the addition was finished, the original entrance was turned into a boys’ bathroom. The old boys’ bathroom/locker room was converted into a classroom (currently the band room). The girls’ locker room remains a girls’ restroom. Bath School currently stands as a four floor, 63,362 square foot building located on 12.3 acres.

On November 8, 2016, voters approved Issue 45 which provided funding to build a new high school, elementary school, and renovating-improving Hillcrest and the middle school.

The spruce tree was planted in the spring of 1931 in memory of William “Bill” Haser who died in an explosion at Bath on December 1, 1930 known as the Bath Blast. The tree had to be removed in 2014 due to the new sewer system going in. Note: The tree was planted with the two Sourek spruce trees and were known as the Haser-Sourek Trees.

The spruce tree was planted in the spring of 1931 in memory of Betty Sourek, 17, and brother Joey Sourek, 6, who lost their lives in a home fire. Sourek road bears the family name. The tree had to be removed in 2014 due to the new sewer system going in. Note: The trees were planted with the Haser spruce tree and were known as the Haser-Sourek Trees.

The Bird Bath was a gift from the Bath High School Class of 1931.

The kickball tournament was the idea of teacher John Faust and, with the support of principal Fred Tomei and physical education teacher Don King, it became a reality in 2000. The is a round robin format where the 4th grade champion plays the 5th grade champion for the right to play the staff in front of the entire school. Only one 4th grade team has defeated a 5th grade team, and only one student team has beaten the staff). For several years, the winner played the winner at Monroe Elementary (Tallmadge) in a school versus school championship unfortunately that series ended due to scheduling conflicts. Today, it back to 4th vs. 5th grade tournament with the winner facing the staff. It is now run by physical education teacher Gina Pappano over a two-day period in the spring.

A design created and donated by sculptor Don Drumm and abrasive blasting donated by Newsome & Work Metallizing Co (N&W). Don Blankenship an employee of N&W completed the sandblasting under the management of Gregory Newsome one of the owners of the company. It was completed on June 5, 2001.

The Kelly Tree was planted in memory of Travis Kelly in 2002, who died on April 28, 2002.

This tree was planted in memory of George Schuelein in 2002. George was a long time custodian at Bath and was extremely well liked by all who knew him!

Jones Tree and Bench The bench was placed and the tree planted in 2006 in memory of Alexandra Sasha Jones (1994–2006) who was taken too soon in a car accident.

The plaque was placed in memory of Alex Fowler (1989–2001) who died in an equestrian accident on June 9, 2001.

The bench was placed in memory of Mike Lukity (1988–2003).

The trophy case was placed in memory of Jared Ellsworth (1991–2003). In addition, his parents Kathy and Scott Ellsworth ran a basketball tournament in his memory for 12 years, that tournament continues today as Revere Celebration Tournament.

The plaque was placed in memory of James Bennett (1997–2012). James was a young man who endured a number of medical hardships and was lost too soon “but will never be forgotten.”