Show Editorial I ShO Shuffling Students A Serious Game Within the past two weeks the school consolidation consolidation con- con issue has been brought into focus It has definitely caught the citizenry of South Sanpete way off guard This is very under- under On November 16 1967 Mr Jack Burr superintendent of schools submitted to this paper an article which said Rumors Jave have been teen spread throughout the district Jf that the Board had made consolidation consolidation moves These rumors are absolutely false and the only thing being undertaken was a study of all phases of the school up set-up in South Sanpete and anything that could be done to improve improve im im- prove it This did not include any consolidation outline or any possibility of consolidation at this time However if the Board concludes that consolidation would improve the educational educational program they will place the issue before the public Many of these taxpayers have approached us in an effort to gain added insight into what has been proposed by the superintendent We have had to openly admit to these inquiries that we were about as confused on what to doas do doas doas as they were Consolidation is a word s that carries a great impact on those who are effected The question looms I Is the fulfillment of the consolidation consolidation consolidation con con- plans going to be a ben benefit fit or detriment detriment detriment detri detri- ment to our children This is and should be the only real question After listening to the presentation at the public meeting Tuesday in Ephraim we can certainly see what advantages can be achieved through the combining of schools But to the disappointment of all very little littIe was said about possible disadvantages which will crop up if II the changes are made And there could be many Another thing that the presentation lacked was alternate proposals which might be studied Although this this meeting was called to feel the public pulse a small smaIl segment of the questions questions ques ques- bons were really answered One of the greatest oversights on the part of the superintendent was the failure to show a concrete plan of the proposed expanded curriculum curriculum curriculum cur cur- with the names of an assigned teacher with a major or minor in that field In other areas where consolidation has been instigated we quite often find not only the same subjects are being taught but also by the same teachers who have been deemed by the school standards as unqualified Why not make a thorough study of this before consolidation It will have to be done anyway so SQ why not before Just how much trouble is going to result from the added miles of transportation Proposed Proposed Pro Pro- Proposed posed bus schedules have been arranged Had they been presented at the meeting many would have been answered If we are truly going to consolidate our schools to the best advantage of those engaged in the learning process should we rush into scattering schools all over the county Are we being fair when we haul the Manti youngsters to Ephraim who are having their first educational educational educational experiences How much time will be chopped from a junior high school students student's day jn in travel from Ephraim to Gunnison Possibly 2 hours What will have to be neglected to meet this time schedule music practice church activity study time home responsibilities A myriad of questions surround the consolidation consolidation consolidation con con- of South Sanpete schools Time at atthe atthe atthe the meeting seemingly didn didn't t permit a very thorough look into the details of such a pro pro- gram Although an urgency to submit a consolidation consolidation consolidation consoli consoli- dation proposal to the state school board to obtain funds was expressed by Supt Burr itis it itis itis is our understanding that these funds will definitely definitely definitely def def- def def- not be in jeopardy for the next two or three years Remember once the decision is made it itis itis itis is final finaI On anything as significant as this proposal proposal proposal pro pro- which looms in hi our educational horizon we feel that a hasty hurried approval by the public and the board would be a mistake Is there any harm in taking a second and third look from two or three more viewpoints More people thinking and acting constructively can only make a stronger program With so many communities involved close ties could be made by working and acting together together to to- together gether for their childrens children's mutual betterment To hastily act now without unity even within the school board would only sever all opportunity opportunity op op- for future unified action which possibly possibly possibly bly could be consummated mated through a deliberate deliberate ate effort and expanded study Perhaps when the facts are the consolidation program will be backed On the other hand an alternative could be passed which hasn't yet even been conceived Either way if it is done with unity and full knowledge we will know we have given it our greatest thought and effort Then for the first time in many years all communities ties will support and work together for success success success suc suc- cess in the school program |