The Heber-Overgaard Unified School District (HOUSD) is a school district with its headquarters in Heber-Overgaard, Arizona. The district serves Heber, Overgaard, and the Forest Lakes area. The district consists of 4 schools; all are title 1 schools. History The Heber school district was established in 1921. Prior to this, children had to move to Joseph City in late fall, after crops were harvested, then return in early spring. Some young residents were taught reading, writing, and arithmetic in the home of James E. Shelly. Mr Shelly was a former teacher in Utah and was the first post master in Heber. His home doubled as school house, post office and community business office. Around 1921, the first official school year took place in, local residents, Walter and Ammon Shelley's house. Priscilla Shumway, from Snowflake, was the first teacher. Part of her pay was room and board furnished by the parents of local students. By 1923, the school had moved to the family home of local student, Lovine Crandell. Around 1925, the two room local Latter-day Saints Church building doubled as a school. Children were said to ride to school on horseback from outlying areas. A new LDS church building doubled as a school in the 1930s and early 1940s. The building was also a high school in 1940-42. Due to the outbreak of WWII, it was said to be more difficult to find local teachers. School for low grades continued without interruption. With the opening of the sawmill in Overgaard in August of 1936, many families relocated to the area for work. School was held in the union hall until the new schoolhouse was completed in the late 1940s. The schoolhouse was built by volunteers consisting of union members and Southwest Forest Industries employees. An addition was made to the original building due to a growing population. The building was used until 1972. In 1961, a road linking Snowflake and the local paper mill was paved. By 1963, the paved road continued on to Heber, making travel to Snowflake easier. Two buses were said to ferry local high school students to and from Snowflake at this time. Upon moving to Heber in the 1950s, Mr. Brown Capps served as principal, and Mrs. Ella Capps as a teacher, of the Heber schoolhouse until his death in 1969. In 1969/70, the Heber and Overgaard schools consolidated. At this time, a new schoolhouse was