Deborah Alexander, first grade teacher at Center Avenue School, checked name tags of two 5-year-old students, Joseph Perez and Vicki Nulph, on the first day of classes in 1968. Jose was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jose Perez of Freeport Road. Vicki was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Nulph of Grandview. In 1968, Butler Area Schools had about 11,500 students. The 2007-08 school year began Tuesday in the district, with 8,097 students enrolled.