Show Pros and pr Pros and aDa Cons of Consolidation of Schools Are Discussed Here I I I i I I t I I I I The fo following lowIng letter and ques- ques was mailed last week toa to toa a number of Summit by the State Board o of Education You have been selected to help provide information that is of vital importance in to a study con concerning ng the schools in SummIt Sum- Sum mIt Co County nty Several months ago go at the I request of the Boards tion and superintendents of the thet three Summit County districts a committee composed of staff members of the Office of the State Superintendent of ol Public Instruction was organized to study and make recommendations I on the following problems ms I How should the schools to In Summit County be organized in I order that the students may receive receive re receive re- re the very best education possible possible possible pos pos- pos pos- sible l' l No consideration is being given n to the problem of the conI consolidation consolidation con con- of t th the three districts districts' I Members of of the Committee are anxious anxious' to gather gather- data fro from n every possible source They h have ve 1 I made visits to the schools talked I I with educators end are now nov j seeking reactions from a rather rater I large number of the citizens of the county We urge you to c complete the enclosed d brief brier questionnaire and return It unsigned In to th the stamped stamp stamp- ed self-addressed self envelope You I Ivill will vill note that the question re refers refers re- re re-I re fers to the secondary schools grades 7 through 12 12 only Thank you for your YOUl cooperation cooper cooper- atlon in this very important pro pro- Walter Walter D. D Talbot Persons were asked to read the following statements carefully and then indicate whether they agree strongly agree agree slightly disagree strongly disagree disagree disagree dis dis- dis- dis agree or disagree slightly 1 Consolidation of schools In to Summit County would be acceptable acceptable accept acCept- abl able If elementary s schools were continued at their present loca loca- 2 Consolidation of schools would increase the scope of edu- edu opportunities for secondary seum- seum dary sc school ol students In in Summit County 3 The e transportation of students students students stu stu- dents from one one community to another provides an insurmountable able barrier barrier- to consolidation of secondary schools oola in S Summit u at m f t CoU County 4 Losing g gy y your ur school l Continued on Page Nine Continued from Page One Consolidation from your community would have a significant effect on the economy of your area 5 6 One advantage of consolidation consolidation consoli consoli- I d dation of secondary schools Is that teachers could more often be I assigned to teach in their areas t of special training I r 6 The advantages to students 5 I of opportunities for Individual recognition in a small secondary school outweigh the advantages to students of increased guidance services and nd educational opportunities opportunities of a large secondary school 7 There are social cultural and religious differences In the various communities of Summit County that would make the theco co consolidation 11 dation of secondary cry schools undesirable 8 S. consolidation of the secondary dary schools In Summit County I would mean more and better education education education ed ed- for your tax dollar 9 Consolidation of the secondary secondary dary schools would make able better facilities at lower cost to the people of Summit County r lo The secondary dary schools school In Summit County County should be consolidated consolidated con con- u j They were were also asked to list the he i most most convincing arguments in in favor of i and and opposition to the consolidation dr of the secondary schools We dont don't know how many people people peo peo- people received these but feel everyone should know the context of them How would you have answered these questions ques ques- I I 1 A oA qu asking for opinions opinions ions on consolidation has been bee n t mailed mailed to s some e people In Sum Sum- Sum SumI i I by the State Board o of Education iI j i s i I This could foe Abe construed as a astep step In the right direction but I II cant can't help wondering if the they y I arent aren't getting the cart before the horse I II I How can any anyone one form an op- op I Union anion linion on any subject BEFORE learning all the facts I I all the facts I j So 60 far that have come from the studies that have been made o are re a a i lot of I idealistic phrases and v very e r y vague promises of money savings j i Just Just where will the money be he saved I I It has been stated transportation I tion costs cannot be forecast but why not The only unknown I factor Is the location of or t th the h e ej school and since It is supposed j to be in a central location It narrows the area down enough I ISO so at least some estimate could Iso Ibe be made At least it Ii would be bej beI j I setter than stating It may cost more I J. J I What a about b 0 u t administration costs Are we to believe the I amount amount of paper work would be tut cut enough to give us a substantial substantial substantial savings In this area We will still have the same number of lor students the same number of teachers with the addition of several several sev sev- eral eral as eral as yet un-named un services I How large a a clerical staff will willbe willbe be be needed to handle this How c can can n one one ne superintendent oversee four tour schools S strung g gout out tut over the entire county W Wouldn't his bIs traveling expenses t heat cut this saving The cutting I down of the number of or school board members would serve a iI minimal amount but ut would the loss of our representation be worth the savings 1 i I I I f QS we are t to ke keep p the three elementary their pres- pres tent jent ent locations how oa can can 1 any any savings savings sav say ings lags possibly be effected effected We Wj will simply be adding be-adding adding the e penSe expense ot of the b building and maintaining of another school Or do the long- long range plans include the eventual transportation of the elementary students also We want what Is best for tor our j t children children We we als also want to get our moneys money's worth Lets Let's not overlook the possibility that a top quality education could be of- of of-I of I ered pur cur children under th the Ares Ares- pres 1 I ent system or come up with with some i solid dollars and cents figures to tol prove the money savings Mary Baker |