Fannindel’s History

Many small rural schools had consolidated with Pecan Gap and Ladonia Schools over the years. Some of these schools were New Harmony, Mudding, Covey, Willow Grove, King, Bartley Woods, Oak Ridge, Rattan, Giles, Ben Franklin, and Lone Star.

In September of 1960 an issue came to a vote and a new school system came into effect, the Pecan Gap and Ladonia schools consolidated to become one.  

A saving certificate was offered to the person whose name for the new school was selected to be used. Many names were submitted and the name Fannindel was chosen. 

The district's name is a portmanteau of Fannin and Delta counties. This name was submitted by Marvin Page of Pecan Gap. He was a 6th grade student at the time. The student body selected Black and Gold as the colors and the Falcon as the symbol of our athletic department.

Members of Fannindel’s first school board were:

President - Mr. C.M. Owens

V. President - Mr. V.G. Olson

Secretary - Mr. W.H. Wilson

Members - Mr. T.C. Wilhite, Mr. W.W. Bradshaw, Mr. Garth Yeager and Mr. Doug Raney

Mr. F.C. Burnett was elected to serve as Superintendent, Mr. Harvey L. Milton was chosen as High School Principal, and Mr. Alfred Conley was elected to serve as Elementary and Junior High Principal. 

Clark School, the previous all black school that was part of the Ladonia School District, came to a close during desegregation moves of the 1960’s and the last class to graduate was the class of 1966. The consolidation with Fannindel was completed the following September, and the first former Clark students to graduate at Fannindel were members of the 1967 Fannindel High School senior class. 

We are proud of our school, Fannindel. We are thankful for the many people who support and contribute to it, our parents, the Administration, School Board, Teachers, Ex- Students, and friends. They are as they have always been - standing by with a word of encouragement, a helping hand and a friendly smile. Our story doesn’t end here, because we are always looking forward to next year for greater achievements. 

From the words of 

  Our School by:

    Muriel Champion Burleson

The current enrollment in Fannindel ISD is 144 students. The average class size is about 11 students per teacher, compared to the state average of 15.

The current Superintendent of Fannindel ISD is Travis Waddell