The Feb. 2, 1967, Peterborough Transcript called it “thumping” – the 1,278-450 vote in favor of merging the towns of Antrim, Bennington, Dublin, Francestown, Greenfield, Hancock, Peterborough, Sharon, and Temple into a Contoocook Valley school district, the first in the state to include nine towns.

“Record, or near-record, turnouts were reported in every community. There was a notable absence of lengthy debate before the ballots were cast.” Con-Val, as it was referred to, was set to open July 1, 1968. Mark Wheeler -- chairman of the 27-member planning committee that conducted the study and presented the plans to the public – called the result “very, very wonderful,” but also had a word of caution.

“Now the work begins”