Letter – Consider declining enrollment before spending on buildings

Published 1:58 pm Monday, February 17, 2020

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Editor:

As you consider the School Board’s request on page 36 of the board packet to spend $262,950 more on Phenix Elementary and $729,852 more on Bacon District Elementary totaling $992,802, please consider the pattern of declining enrollment at Bacon District and overall.

With the declining enrollment the operating cost per pupil increases while the state funding decreases.  With the current pattern of enrollment declines, how long will it be practical to operate Bacon District?

We are on a slippery slope as we spend more and more to patch up and operate three separate elementary schools for fewer and fewer students.

Each time we spend reserves or increase debt to patch an old building which is only needed for a short time, the more foolish it will look to close a school we just borrowed money to patch.  But with the steady enrollment decline, the choice of closing a school is inevitable.

 

Terry Ramsey

Charlotte Court House