Written by Merry Helm
May 24, 2021 - When school let out on this date in 1986, People magazine had already been to McLeod, in Ransom County, to cover the story. There were only 14 one-room schoolhouses still operating in the state, and McLeodâs was closing its doors. Of the three students still attending in 1986, two would be moving up to seventh grade, and there was no way to keep the school running for the youngest remaining child.
The story of the Salund School was used as the lead âUp Frontâ story in People and was ten pages long. It was the first time the magazine led an issue with a feature story told only through photographs and captions. That was probably due to extra care taken by photographer, Barry Staver, who considered the assignment one of his most personally rewarding. He recalled visiting the classroom in February â it was 18 below when the kids went outside for recess.