This collection contains documents from the rural school system of Clay County, Iowa dating from 1886-1968. 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, 1921-1958”, “Office of the Superintendent, 1930-1959”, “Township, 1936-1945”, and “District and School Records, 1886-1968”. Series 1. “County Board of Education, 1921-1958” contains records created by the County Board of Education. This series includes Reorganization and Consolidation Records. Series 2. “Office of the Superintendent, 1930-1959” contains records and microfilmed copies of records created by or utilized by the Office of the Superintendent. This series consists of Pupils' Permanent Records and Photographs. Series 3. “Township, 1936-1945” consists of records and microfilmed copies of records created by or utilized by the Township Board of Education. This series contains Township Board of Education Minutes and Teachers' Salary Records. Series 4. “District and School, 1886-1968” is composed of records and microfilmed copies of records pertaining to individual school districts. It contains District Board of Education Meeting Minutes, District Board of Education Financial Records, Teachers' Reports to the Superintendent, and Preliminary Classification Reports.