History

Suda East Butler High School opened along with nine other new Jefferson County Schools in September 1954 with an enrollment of 750 students, grades seven through nine.

In September 1957 it attained Senior High School status with an enrollment of 1794 students. Its largest student enrollment occurred during the 1960-61 school year when 2850 students were in attendance. There have been six additions to the original building.

Mr. H. L. Hatfield served as Butler's first and only principal until his retirement in June 1980. Mr. Byron H. Bell was appointed principal upon Mr. Hatfield’s retirement. Mr. Bell served as principal until July 1985. Mr. Kenneth W. Frick was appointed principal July 1985 and served for 19 years until July 31, 2004. Mr. Bocko was appointed principal on August 1, 2004; after five years, Mr. Bocko retired in May of 2009. The fall of 2009 saw Mr. William Allen take over the position of principal, which he presently holds.

Butler High School served as the “Head of Cluster” school for four years, 1980-84. Four high schools; Doss, Fairdale, Pleasure Ridge Park, and Valley sent students to Butler for desegregation. Beginning with the 1984-85 school year, Butler was assigned a definable school district, which was designed to phase students in over the next four year period.

On March 21, 1988, Butler was designated a Traditional/Technical High School. The 9th and 10th graders were phased in with the opening of school in the fall of 1988. The 11th graders were added in the fall of 1989. The traditional phase in was completed with onset of the 1990-91 school year. The Technical portion of the name for the school was deleted at the end of the 1991 school year.

Butler Traditional High School is a comprehensive high school, fully accredited by the State Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.