After the recent consolidation of the high schools in Lincoln County I was forced to consider the pros and cons of consolidation. It is my opinion, and the opinion of several other educators in my area, that consolidation is completely unnecessary. While consolidation in Lincoln County hasn't been a total disappointment, it most certainly has yet to alleviate the the most crucial problems within the school system. The State Board of Education claimed to take over because a large percent of students were scoring below mastery on the Sat 9 at the time (now West Test). My question is this: How much of an improvement can be made when you throw the same teachers in a state of the art building? My guess would be very little. I am well aware that teachers do have more resources and tools than before the state takeover; however, are they adequately trained to use them or better yet..will they take the time to do so. Another example of how consolidation isn't always beneficial....this being a very obvious statement, student teacher ratio. The more students piled into a classroom the less time and energy a teacher has to give students further instruction. Furthermore, it has taken the heart and soul out of our community and if my experience is any indication of the success of consolidation in other areas then I would be will to wager that in time administrators will stand corrected!
