The board consisted of eight members until Atchison became a city of the first class in 1881, at which time the ward representation was increased to three members each, giving a board of twelve members. At the organization of the first enlarged board, J. C. Fox was elected president; J. B. Kurth, vice-president. The time of organization was the first regular meeting in August, a change from the former time, the first regular meeting in May, which was the law till 1881. During this year the time of organization was extended three months, giving fifteen months’ service under the organization of May, 1880. Another change made at this time was the election of a clerk not a member of the board. At the organization, August 1, 1881, M. Noll was elected clerk. He was succeeded in October, by C. N. Seip, who was followed in May, 1882, by James H. Garside. By the addition of the Fifth ward, 1884, the board organized in August, that year had fifteen members. The board organized in August, 1885, had ten members. This representation continued till the law of 1911 provided for the reduction to six members, and for a term of four years instead of two years. The reduction was completed in 1913, and since August of that year the board has had six members, elected without regard to city wards. The presidents of the board from 1871 have been as follows: For the year ending in May, 1872, H. S. Baker; J. T. Coplan, to May, 1873; J. K. Fisher, to May, 1874; A. J. North, three years, to May, 1877; John Seaton, two years, to May, 1879; A. F. Martin, two and one-fourth years, to August, 1881; J. C. Fox, to August, 1882; John B. Kurth, to August, 1883; J. C. Fox, to August, 1884; Seneca Heath, two years, to August, 1886; E. A. Mize, five years, to August, 1891; R. C. Meade, to August, 1892; J. T. Hersey, two years, to August, 1894; J. F. Woodhouse, to August, 1895; J. T. Allensworth, to August, 1896; W. L. Bailey, to August, 1897; Chas. S. Osborn, ten years, to August, 1907; H. H. Hackney, eight years, to August, 1915; Alva Clapp, now serving his first year. While the records of the early days are not available, there are indications that the chaos of the early schools was reduced to order in the middle sixties, the graded system unifying the free schools being established at that time by D. T. Bradford, who served as superintendent and principal of the high school for four years. In those early days the superintendent taught during the greater part of his time. Mr. Bradford was followed by a Mr. Owens, who served one year and was followed by R. H. Jackson. Available records show that Mr. Jackson was superintendent in August, 1871, and served till June, 1876. How long he served prior to the election of May, 1871, is not indicated by records at hand.