This collection contains documents from the rural school system of Butler County, Iowa dating from 1866-1976. The records cover a majority of the rural schools’ histories, but they are not comprehensive: some records were lost before their transfer to the Center for the History of Rural Iowa Education and Culture. The collection material is arranged into four series -- “County Board of Education, 1873-1970”, “Office of the Superintendent, 1872-1976”, “Township, 1902-1906”, and “District and School, 1866-1966” -- which are sub-divided by format. Series 1. “County Board of Education, 1873-1970” contains records created by or utilized by the County Board of Education. This series includes County Board of Education Minutes, Reorganization and Consolidation Records, and a Butler County Atlas. Series 2. “Office of the Superintendent, 1872-1976” contains records created by or utilized by the Superintendent’s Office. Sub-Series 1: Physical Records, 1872-1946 includes Superintendents’ File, High School Normal Training Records, Teachers’ Examination Record, Teachers’ Certificate Renewal Record, Record of Teachers in Rural Schools, and Pupil Awards. Sub-Series 2: Records on Microfilm, 1905-1976 includes Superintendents’ Secretaries’ Annual Reports, and Teachers’ Complete Records. Series 3. “Township, 1902-1906” contains copies of records created or utilized by the Township Board of Education. This series consists solely of Jackson Township Board of Education Minutes. Series 4. “District and School, 1866-1966” contains documents pertaining to individual school and/or districts. Sub-Series 1: Physical Records, 1866-1956 includes Complete District Record, District Board of Education Secretaries’ Record, Teachers’ Reports to the Superintendent, District School Censuses, Room Registers, Textbook Records, Daily Attendance Registers, and Complete Term Registers. Sub-Series 2: Records on Microfilm, 1911-1953 includes District Board of Education Financial Records, Room Registers, Teachers’ Reports to the Superintendent, Preliminary Classification Reports, Record of Classification Reporting, and a Record of Sick Leave.