When Schools Close

            There have been a number of people who have asked me my opinion about all of the school closings across the country.  As an eternal optimist, I always look at the “silver lining” in things, be it good or bad.  However, when it comes to school closings, my opinions are split down the middle.

            The pessimist side does not like the loss for tradition.  There are some schools that are a century old.  There are some schools that have unique traditions; some who have famous alumni, while some are noted for the number of students who served their country in two world wars.  Even though these schools are far from what they used to be, the educational historian in me hates to see the loss of historical memory when schools closed. Once these schools close, they are forgotten, erased from our collective memory.  With the exception of a few souls who understand that closing a school is the loss of historical memory that can never be regained, many keep their school alive through oral tradition by recalling stories with classmates and school rivals.

            The pessimist side also believes, the closing of school is the final nail in the coffin that is public education.  As schools are closing, many are being cannibalized by charter schools and for profit schools.  These schools are allowed to create their own admissions criteria and they do not have to follow state and federal mandates that public schools are required to follow as it pertains to students with disabilities and English language learners.  Therefore, unlike public schools, these non public entities do not have to accept anyone who comes to their door.  These non-public entities also siphon off the talented students from public schools while sending back the students they don’t want back to public schools.  What we are witnessing is the creation of a multi-tiered that potentially widen the achievement gap between the “have and have not’s.”

            The optimist side believes this is an opportunity for districts to become for efficient and fiscally responsible.  The closing of schools would allow districts to consolidate buildings with low enrollment, and rid itself of dilapidated/antiquated properties.  The savings from the consolidation and sale of closing properties should put a dent and possibly alleviate debt and provide additional resources to the remaining schools.

            The optimist side also believes that this unprecedented event of school closings on a national level has garnered national attention.  Since it appears that every district in the country is considering or implementing school closings, people are paying attention to which schools are being closed, the decision process that led to specific schools being closed and which neighborhoods and groups are being affected by the closing of schools.  Evidence of this is seen in the rise of litigation by parents, teachers and civil rights groups and the involvement of young people who are exercising their right through protest.

            With the attention public education is receiving, this opportunity should be used to address the short comings of the curriculum and address the engagement problem by students, teachers, parents and administrators.

As an optimist, I hope the closing of schools creates a renaissance in our schools.