Former Students Return For Reunion At Old Butler Twp. School

What is known today as Arcanum-Butler Middle School in Darke County used to be known as Butler Township School years ago.

The school was built in 1926 but later became part of the Arcanum School District when Butler Township consolidated with the district.

WEB EXTRA: Former Students Return To Old Butler Twp. School

In 1926, the building was built to put nine one-room school houses under one roof. The school is located on Route 127 at Grubbs-Rex Road in southern Darke County.

A reunion is held every five years, making this year’s reunion possibly the last in the building since the school district is expected to build a new school in Arcanum to put the elementary, middle school and high school all under one roof.

Former student Dale Sleppy drove from Texas to attend this year’s reunion. He said the gym and the stage brought back memories of playing basketball and in class plays in the building.

Phil Lockman, former basketball coach and middle school principal, also attended the reunion. One student who played under Lockman’s coaching direction was Mark Loxley.

Loxley said there were 13 students in his class and the boys all played basketball and the girls were all cheerleaders.

Time will tell if this will be the last year that the reunion will be held in the current middle school.