Albion Interactive History / People / Public Schools

Lusius Wade Fast
5th Superintendent, 1916-1919
 
    Died

Public School Superintendent +

Biographical Description
The resignation of William J. McKone in 1916 had prompted the board of education to search for Albion’s fifth superintendent. They selected Lusius Wade Fast, who had just graduated from the University of Michigan with a Master’s degree. Fast had considerable previous experience. He had served seven years as superintendent atOtsego. Prior to that he was superintendent at Jonesville, and at Eaton Rapids. A graduate of Ferris Institute and of Central Normal School, Fast came to Albion at the age of thirty-eight.

Although Fast served as superintendent for a relatively short period – from September 1916 to June 1919, some important improvements were made to the school system during his tenure. A school nurse was hired on a part time basis, and a part time librarian also joined the staff. In 1919, the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) was organized.

The most significant development during Fast’s tenure was the construction and opening of the Charles W. Dalrymple Elementary school, serving the southern portion of the city.Albion’s schools were segregated during the 1917-1918 school year with black students attending the West Ward school.

Lusius W. Fast’s tenure as superintendent came during a time of change and challenge. He left at a moment of controversy. Fast had demanded that the school system pay him an extra two weeks salary and a ten percent bonus. He contended that the contracts which the board of education had issued were illegal because the school board secretary was not a taxpayer [property owner] at the time of his election. The problem required a visit to the Superintendent of Public Instruction in Lansing by a committee of board members, which ruled in favor of the board. Fast resigned June 1919, to become superintendent of schools at Mt. Clemens Michigan.

With the resignation of Lusius W. Fast in the summer of 1919, the board began an immediate search for a new superintendent. Donald Harrington began his duties in the fall of 1919.

Source: Frank Passic. A History of the Albion Public Schools. Albion, Michigan: E. Weil Publishing Services. 1991.