History of Sutton Elementary
Sutton Elementary School opened in 1958 and was originally known as the "New Elementary School." It was built to serve the growing population of the Arkansas River Valley and was largely funded by federal assistance under Public Law 815, which supports educational facilities in areas affected by federal activities, such as the proximity to Fort Chaffee. A year after its opening, the school was named Sutton Elementary in honor of Doss Sutton, who contributed land for the construction of the new Kimmons Junior High School.
Major Milestones in Sutton History
August 1957
Construction of Sutton Elementary began with Manhattan Construction Company as the contractor.
September 1958
The school opened under the name "New Elementary School." The building included 16 classrooms (11 in use), a cafetorium, and dedicated wing for 1st and 2nd grade classrooms. The building featured state-of-the-art heating and ventilation systems that ensured fresh air circulation in the classrooms and walls painted in a "soothing green" to aid concentration.
September 12, 1958
The Trusty PTA, recognizing the traffic hazards around the new school, offered to donate one of their own traffic lights for Sutton. This was to be placed “at the most desirable spot” to enhance the safety of students traveling to and from school.
February 1959
The school was named Sutton Elementary in honor of Doss Sutton. After considering various names, the school board concluded their deliberations when they accepted Doss Sutton's offer to exchange six acres of the original 17½-acre school site for 14 acres of his land. This 14-acre parcel was subsequently used for the construction of Kimmons Junior High School.
1959-1960
The school began integrating its student body.
1962
An addition was made to the school to accommodate growing needs.
1963-64
Fort Smith Public Schools adjusted the boundary lines for school zones to address overcrowding issues at certain schools
1964-65
Washington School was closed, and Sutton completed its integration process.
1973-74
The curriculum underwent significant updates, including the introduction of the Model School Physical Education Program.
1974
Principal William A. Freeman established a "materials and study center" to better support gifted students, as he felt Sutton had not adequately addressed their needs. The program allowed one student from each upper-grade class to be excused for 45 minutes to select an item from the center—such as a filmstrip, record, tape recording, or book. The student then had 40 minutes to study the chosen material in the study center before returning it.
1992
Major renovations and additions were completed to enhance the school's facilities.
2003
Six new classrooms were added, along with expanded office space and an improved entryway.
2021
The school underwent renovations to include a secure vestibule and optimized office and entryway spaces.
Who Was Doss Sutton?
Doss T. Sutton, a local benefactor, was instrumental in the creation of Sutton Elementary School through his land donation. He was born in 1896 in Lewisburg, Tennessee, and passed away in 1959. Sutton served in World War I. He was married to Buddy A. Sutton (1912-1982). In July 1964, the Doss T. Sutton Charitable Foundation was established, continuing his legacy by supporting local charities such as the United Way, Community Service Clearinghouse, and the Boys and Girls Club.
Notable People in Sutton History
Roy Mussett: The first principal of Sutton Elementary during its inaugural year.
Mrs. A.T. Meeks: The first PTA president who played a crucial role in the early development of the school's community.
Discover Our History
Explore the rich history of Sutton Elementary. Here, you'll find documents, stories, and resources that highlight key milestones and achievements of our school. Dive into the past to see how Sutton Elementary evolved and has made a lasting impact on the community. Click the links below to learn more.
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