Title Page & Abstract
An Interview with John Alexander
Part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Agriculture in Illinois Oral History project
Interview # AI-A-L-2010-027
John Alexander, a resident from Virden, Illinois who was extensively involved in the 2008-2009 school consolidation for Girard and Virden, was interviewed on the date listed below as part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library’s Agriculture in Illinois – School District Reorganization Oral History project.
Interview dates & location:
Date: Jun 29, 2010 Location: Books on the Square, Virden, IL
Interview Format: Digital audio
Interviewer: Phil Pogue, ALPL Volunteer
Transcription by: Carolyn Berning, ALPL volunteer
Edited by: Richard Herndon and Jan Culp, ALPL volunteers
Total Pages: 22 pgs Total Time: 1:27 / 1.45 hrs
Accessioned into the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Archives on Nov 18, 2010
The interview is archived at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois.
© 2010 Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Abstract
John Alexander, Agriculture in Illinois, AI-A-L-2010-027
Biographical Information Overview of Interview: John Alexander was born on May 9th, 1942 in Muncie, Indiana, and grew up in Virden, Illinois. After graduation from college, he returned to Virden and began a real estate business, and also taught political science courses at Lincolnland Community College in Springfield, Illinois. He has lived most of his life in Virden, and has always been involved in community affairs, including serving as a Board of Education member as well as a trustee at Lincolnland Community College. In 1995 he opened the ‘Books on the Square’ bookstore in Virden.
In June of 2008 Alexander served as chairman of an ad hoc committee that later became the Committee of Ten, the formal organization that examined the potential consolidation of the Girard and Virden school districts. That group spearheaded a referendum vote on the consolidation of the two school districts, which passed in April of 2009. He was a strong proponent for what was a very contentious initiative, and discusses the history and current issues and events that surrounded the debate. The new district is now called the North Mac school district, # 34.
Subject Headings/Key Words: School reorganization and consolidation; school referenda; Virden, Illinois schools; Girard, Illinois schools; Committee of Ten; North Mac School District # 34;
Note to the Reader: Readers of the oral history memoir should bear in mind that this is a transcript of the spoken word, and that the interviewer, interviewee and editor sought to preserve the informal, conversational style that is inherent in such historical sources. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is not responsible for the factual accuracy of the memoir, nor for the views expressed therein. We leave these for the reader to judge.
COPYRIGHT
The following material can be used for educational and other non-commercial purposes without the written permission of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. “Fair use” criteria of Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976 must be followed. These materials are not to be deposited in other repositories, nor used for resale or commercial purposes without the authorization from the Audio-Visual Curator at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. 6th Street, Springfield, Illinois 62701. Telephone (217) 785-7955