History: 

Origins of Botkins Local School is difficult as organized schools in the Botkins area were in existence as early as 1836 when the first township school was built. By 1870, ten such township schools were in existence. Dinsmore Township No. 2 school eventually became the site of the first Botkins Local School. The original was condemned and closed in 1896. On May 29, 1896, Dinsmore Township voted on issuing bonds for the construction of a new facility. Total cost of the structure was $4,000. As closely as can be determined, the building was completed in 1897. On May 12, 1902, the Ohio General Assembly brought the township schools together as a special school district entitled Botkins Public Schools. Botkins students occupied Township No. 2 school house. The location of this school was at the corner of West State and North Sycamore Street. The first enumeration showed 107 boys and 100 girls of school age. It soon became apparent that additions would have to be added to accommodate a growing community. On Sept. 8, 1909, a contract for $3,911 was let for an addition (two rooms) to the school building. On December 29, 1910, the Ohio Dept. of Education granted a Second Grade Charter (3 year high school). At that time, the school's property value was $10,000 and $3,250.53 was collected in local taxes for school purposes. State funding for Botkins totaled $304.00 and $104.71 was received from other funds. Total expenditures in 1910 were $3,477.53. In 1925, attempts to create a First-Grade High School were made, although an exact date could not be determined.