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History of SRISD

History of Sam Rayburn ISD

Sam Rayburn Independent School District (SRISD) serves the educational needs of approximately 500 students in the close-knit community of Ivanhoe, Texas, located in northeast Fannin County. From prekindergarten through high school, all of our students are housed on a single campus, fostering a unique family atmosphere that defines our district.

SRISD was established through the consolidation of the North Fannin and Telephone districts and was named in honor of Mr. Sam Rayburn. Fondly referred to as "Mr. Sam" by his friends, Rayburn was one of Texas’ most respected statesmen. As a powerful and influential politician of the 20th century, he served in the U.S. Congress for 48 years, including 17 years as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives—a record for the longest-serving Speaker. Despite his significant role in Washington, D.C., Sam Rayburn frequently returned to his Fannin County home, where he found solace and relaxation on his 900-acre ranch located just a few miles west of Bonham. His restored home is now the Sam Rayburn House Museum, open to the public.

For more information on the life and legacy of Sam Rayburn, please visit the links below.

Mr. Sam was a remarkable leader with a reputation for fairness and integrity. Sam Rayburn ISD is honored and proud to help instill those same values into the students of our district. 

Sam Rayburn.

Photo of Sam Rayburn shaking hand

Old photo of Sam Rayburn in office

Photo of Sam Rayburn

A photo of Sam Rayburn High School.

In 1964, when the North Fannin and Telephone school districts consolidated, Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Steele donated the land for Sam Rayburn ISD. The bell from the original North Fannin school was preserved and is still on display in our high school courtyard. We are very proud of our heritage.

While located in a rural setting, our district is widely known in northeast Texas as a leader in technology, academics, and athletics.  All students are served by a highly motivated faculty and administration that is dedicated to providing the highest quality of education available. In 2016, SRISD became classified as a UIL District 2A school. The district currently has approximately five hundred students.