Excerpt from "History of San Mateo Community"

by Mrs. William S. Mathias, Jr.

First San Mateo Community resident

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"As the community grew, so grew the families, and it soon became apparent a school was desperately needed.  Residents, led by Mr. William Mathias, requested a survey be made by the Duval County School Board to determine the need.  The San Mateo children experienced their first exposure to busing.  Oceanway Elementary School became grossly overcrowded.  The first grade was put on double sessions.  The School Board survey showed a dire need for an elementary school to be built in San Mateo.  Thirty-two acres of land were purchased from Raymond David, at the corner of Emuness and Baisden Road, and the San Mateo Elementary School construction was underway!

The students from San Mateo were transferred from Oceanway Elementary School to North Shore Elementary School, causing a tremendous overcrowding at this facility.  In 1962 San Mateo Elementary became a reality."

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