School History
Gauger-Cobbs opened in 1972 and at one time housed both an elementary and middle school. The school is named after Ramon C. Cobbs and Martin J. Gauger.
Ramon C. Cobbs Elementary School (1972)
Dr. Ramon C. Cobbs was born in Damascus, Ohio, and earned his bachelor’s degree from Mt. Union College in Alliance, Ohio, his master’s degree from Kent State College in Kent, Ohio, and his doctorate from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. He came to Delaware in 1942 as principal of Richardson Park Elementary School, serving until 1949 when he was named superintendent of the Milford School District. After retiring from the superintendent position in March 1955, he was appointed principal of Brookside Elementary School. In 1959, he was named administrative assistant for the Newark School District and later served as principal of the Joseph M. McVey Elementary School from 1964 to 1970.
Dr. Ramon C. Cobbs was born in Damascus, Ohio, and earned his bachelor’s degree from Mt. Union College in Alliance, Ohio, his master’s degree from Kent State College in Kent, Ohio, and his doctorate from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. He came to Delaware in 1942 as principal of Richardson Park Elementary School, serving until 1949 when he was named superintendent of the Milford School District. After retiring from the superintendent position in March 1955, he was appointed principal of Brookside Elementary School. In 1959, he was named administrative assistant for the Newark School District and later served as principal of the Joseph M. McVey Elementary School from 1964 to 1970.
Dr. Cobbs retired from the Newark School District in 1970. Throughout his career, he served as president of the Delaware Teachers’ Association and was active in the United States Coast Guard Reserve during World War II. He died in 1983.
Gauger-Cobbs Middle School (1972)
Martin J. Gauger was born in Philadelphia and educated in the White Marsh Schools of Montgomery County, PA. He graduated from Schissler College of Business in Norristown, PA, and the Wharton School of Finance and Accounts at the University of Pennsylvania. After working as a certified public accountant in Pennsylvania, he came to Delaware in 1946 to join the Continental Diamond Fiber Company as their controller. He was appointed to the Newark Board of Education in 1953 and reappointed in 1956 to serve an additional four years.
Martin J. Gauger was born in Philadelphia and educated in the White Marsh Schools of Montgomery County, PA. He graduated from Schissler College of Business in Norristown, PA, and the Wharton School of Finance and Accounts at the University of Pennsylvania. After working as a certified public accountant in Pennsylvania, he came to Delaware in 1946 to join the Continental Diamond Fiber Company as their controller. He was appointed to the Newark Board of Education in 1953 and reappointed in 1956 to serve an additional four years.
When elected boards of education were created in Delaware in 1960, Mr. Gauger was elected to the Newark School Board for a two-year term and subsequently re-elected for an additional four-year term. He served as president of the school board for two years.