Brindisi ES, San Vito (combined ES/HS 1992-94) History
Opened: 1961
Closed: 1994
Brindisi Elementary School was located in southern Italy about six miles from the San Vito del Normanni Air Station. The nearest large town was Brindisi, which was on the heel of the Italian peninsula. The school was located in a facility that was built as a school.
According to the last yearbook:
School year 1993-94 marks the final year for Brindisi Schools after 33 years of service to military family members stationed at San Vito Air Station. Over the years, there have been many changes in the size and structure of our schools. A DoD school was first established in San Vito in 1961. Classroom space was provided in the base gymnasium to house a population in grades 1-8 of 35 students and 2 teachers. By school year 1965-66 the enrollment had increased to 450 students, 16 teachers and 1 principal. The ninth grade was added that year, four portable classrooms were in use and nine additional portable rooms were ordered to house students in grades 1-9. Students in grades 10-12 attended Vicenza High School and lived in a dormitory.
In 1966, the 10th grade was added and the school was split into two separate schools. The enrollment grew during school year 1967-68 to 580 students. In 1976, the school operation expanded to include grades K-12. Construction of a new junior/senior high school had begun under a congressionally approved building project. The new school opened during school year 1977-78.
In the 1980’s a vigorous construction program brought a new business/computer laboratory, art room, weight room, media center extension, and covered walkways. In August 1992, the schools were combined under one administration in anticipation of pending base closure. The final senior class will graduate 6 students in June. The school, along with other base facilities, will be returned to the Italian government.
The first school yearbook was published for the 1973-74 school year. The principal of the school was Dean Rains and the assistant principal was Frank Blunt. The enrollment in grades K-10 was about 870 students. The school newspaper was Centurion’s Trumpet, and the mascot was the Centurion. Junior high students participated in wrestling, volleyball, basketball, and cheerleaders, and there was an annual ski trip.
For the 1981-82 school year, the elementary school had twenty-four classrooms plus a media center for the 500 students in grades kindergarten through six. The elementary school shared a gymnasium and a multipurpose room with the high school. The elementary staff had twenty-six professionals. Resource personnel included music, physical education, health, reading, learning development, speech, and a counselor.
According to James Stewart Williams, “The Brindisi school was composed of separate classrooms on grayish and arid land making it impossible for teachers to do any landscaping to improve its appearance.” Mr. Williams goes on to say that the three host nation teachers were excellent and energetic, and the students were enthusiastic to learn the language of their playmates. Most families lived in local neighborhoods not on a base. The students attended at least one field trip a month, with the trips to Ostuni and Alberobello being the most popular. Italian students were often invited to visit the American school, and the American students would spend a day in an Italian school.
For the 1987-88 school year, the elementary school had twenty-four classrooms plus a media center. The two schools in the complex shared a gymnasium and multipurpose room. The next school year there were 405 students in grades kindergarten through six.
Dr. David Trukositz was the principal for the 1991-92 school year and was followed by Frank O’Gara who remained principal until the school’s closure. Antionette Ewell and Bill Ramos each served as assistant principal under Mr. O’Gara for one year.
The final year of the school, 1993-94, there were 300 students enrolled in grades Kindergarten through twelve.
Information from James Stewart Williams, school yearbooks and DoDDS School Information Guides