DOWNIEVILLE — The Gazebo of the Sierraville School was dedicated to Jean Holland, former school secretary, at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday. The action took place after a unanimous recommendation by the Board of the Sierra County Historical Society was brought before the supervisors. Holland served as secretary from 1975 until her retirement in 2002. Holland also worked as a substitute secretary for the Downieville school from 2002 to 2003 and briefly came out of retirement from 2005 to 2006 for a district role in Sierraville.

Corri Jimenez, Sierra County Historical Society Vice President, explained the project of memorializing the Sierraville School and its history. The school operated from 1931 until 2005 and, by many accounts, had a deep personal impact on those who attended or interacted with it. Holland, to whom the gazebo is now dedicated, spoke of being overwhelmed and honored by the action, noting that her “heart is in Sierra Valley and its community” and that she is “blessed to have been a part of the Sierraville School staff for so long.”

Supervisor Adams also recognized Corri Jimenez for spearheading the effort to add the Sierraville School to the National Register of Historic Places, which he believes gives the site personality. Board Chair Dryden commented on loving the school and its historical designation, which honors locals who attended or were involved in running it. Dedications also include:

• Mr. James Sinnott Room (Teachers Room): Sinnott was the first principal of Sierraville High School, serving from 1930 to 1934. He eventually became the Downieville High School Principal and Sierra County School District Superintendent and later published many books on the history of Sierra County.
• Mrs. Francis Wright Kitchen: Wright was a long-term Sierraville School cook and owned the Sierraville service station “Curly’s.”
• Mr. Paul Roscoe Room (Classroom 2): Roscoe taught at and was the principal of the Sierraville School from 1926 to 1964 and witnessed the burning of the original Sierraville School building in 1929. He was one of the longest-serving educators in the county and taught English to many Swiss-Italian immigrants.
• Mrs. Margaret (Copren) Burelle Room (Classroom 3): Burelle graduated from Sierraville School in 1934, later teaching from 1946 to 1949 and from 1952 to 1974. She was famous for accurately throwing chalk at students.
• Mrs. Arlene (Hansen) Amodei Room (Classroom 1): Amodei was a teacher from 1964 to 1969 and from 1979 to 1996. She taught students phonetics and was well-known for organizing the school’s annual Christmas pageants.
• Mrs. Mary Genasci Office (Cloakroom): Genasci began teaching at the Sierraville School in 1976 before becoming principal for both Loyalton and Sierraville elementary schools and Sierra County Superintendent of Schools. She would greet students every morning and lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the Sierraville School flagpole.
• Mr. Fred Podesta Workshop: Podesta immigrated to Sierra County from Switzerland and did not speak English. He was custodian of the Sierraville School for approximately 25 years and had two children who became students there.
• Mr. Don Dellera Gymnasium: Dellera was raised in Sierraville and attended Sierraville School in 1941. He organized many loved community events in the gym.
• Christmas Pageant Stage: The Sierraville School Christmas Pageant was a cherished annual event for the Sierraville community and was the longest-running pageant in the state until its end in 2005. All students and teachers participated, and hundreds in attendance packed the school’s gymnasium each year.

In other news…

Hope for the Downieville Community Hall?

Bryan Davey, Sierra County Public Works Director, told the Board that his department is having substantive discussions with a contractor preparing a proposal to be available by January 12th. Davey hopes to be actively negotiating with the contractor in mid-January. Should negotiations fail, Davey hopes contractors bidding for the Sierraville School Renovation Project will be enticed to consider the Downieville Project.

Forest Service Updates

Andrew Mishler, Deputy District Ranger for the Yuba River District of Tahoe National Forest, updated the Board on the status of his district and its ongoing projects. Mishler noted that Congressman Kiley has taken an interest in the region, recently going on a “field trip” near the town of Washington with the Forest Service. Kiley emphasized a need for national-level coordination and partnership with the Forest Service and its beneficial programs. Board Chair Dryden also noted that Kiley seems very committed to Sierra County.

The Highway 49 Aspen Project is planned to continue until weather prevents progress. Mishler thanked The Mountain Messenger for its coverage of the project in last week’s edition, and multiple Board members expressed approval of the progress.

Deputy Forest Supervisor Matthew Jedra also addressed the Board, mainly to say that Carson Ranger District’s Christmas Tree permits are now sold out and that patrols will be taking place in the area to ensure people comply.