The school district is named after the first teacher, Betsey Atherton, daughter of Adonijah Atherton—one of the town’s first settlers.
Medler was hit by lightning in the early morning hours in the summer of 1977, causing the back half of the building to burn down.
[3] On December 9, 2003, a consolidation vote for the three all Burton school districts took place with Atherton and Bentley voters in favor of consolidation and Bendle voters not in favor.
In 2003, a plan of merger was accepted by the State Superintendent of Education between Atherton and Bentley School Districts,[4] which subsequently failed at the election.
In February 2013, a discussion arose among Board members about closing down Vern Van Y Elementary School.
[5] 2017 Board Members Steven Vowles is principal Atherton Junior/Senior High.