Guest Column: Are Bigger Schools Better?
I wish we could change our focus to “Middlefield Means Families and Community.” – Katie Thomas
Current research and studies, such as the OSBA report and an Ohio University/National Education Policy Center report, show that consolidation does not achieve the objectives of reducing administrative costs and could also be harmful to student achievement.
Though proponents promise lower costs and stronger student performance, in practice neither seems to occur. Over the long haul, consolidation sucks power away from parents, students and local influence into more centralized political arrangements that result in higher, not lower, per pupil costs and worse education.
This research challenges the wisdom of those saying that Cardinal Schools should join Berkshire Schools on the Geauga K.S.U. campus.
“What’s best for the kids” is a statement that needs some examination. Smaller school size has consistently related to stronger and safer school communities. Students report feeling more comfortable and safer in a small school environment.
Learning is more equitably distributed in smaller schools. More students are engaged in activities that helps to reduce social and racial isolation. Students who participate in activities feel connected at school and have higher achievement, are less likely to drop out, have higher self-esteem, attend school more regularly and have fewer behavior problems.
The creation of larger consolidated schools appears to have created or perpetuated the problems it was meant to solve.
The Mayor of Middlefield had decided that Cardinal Schools should consolidate with Berkshire Schools and the Village of Middlefield voted to finance a survey to determine support in the community for a consolidation. It is our understanding that the village is spending $18,000 to $20,000 to conduct this survey. This “scientific” survey has 23 questions and each question gives select information to lead the reader to a conclusion that is supportive of consolidation.
We have known for several years that the cost of a consolidation for Cardinal would include a 1 percent earned income tax, a bond issue for construction costs estimated at $15 to $20 million and an additional operating levy once the building is completed.
Mayor Garlich stated that the village will put accurate numbers in the survey that will be coming from the auditors and the Berkshire school board. There was no indication of actual costs on the survey and instead had three questions that suggested costs could remain the same, or costs could decrease, or costs could increase.
We were told the surveys would go out only to registered voters. As it turns out, the surveys were mailed to households with registered voters, but only one survey per household. We were told there were going to be 4,500 surveys mailed out. One survey per household is nowhere close to 4,500. What happened to the rest of the surveys?
If Cardinal were to join Berkshire, all our school buildings and property would belong to Berkshire Schools. Our buildings would be emptied and sold with the profits going to the Berkshire district. What impact would that have on our community?
The Mayor admits that losing our Cardinal Schools would impact our village finances. It would impact much more. Gone would be the sense of community that comes from attending school athletic events, “Hall of Fame” night under the lights with alumni, musicals, concerts and plays, and fundraisers like the Joe Peters Memorial Pig Roast.
Cardinal school events bring our community together. I wish we could change our focus to “Middlefield Means Families and Community.”
When our Cardinal community voted on the 5.5-mill operating levy on May 2, 2017, it passed with a surplus of 265 votes and a majority of yes votes from four of our six townships precincts. It was a total turn-around from past levy results.
To us as a Cardinal community, our voters affirmed to us that they want to keep Cardinal and that affordable school taxes are important to our voters. Cardinal is focused on what’s best for our kids and additional new initiatives are coming to attract new students. Cardinal is offering 41 College Credit Plus credits. Our students don’t need to relocate to K.S.U. Geauga to get college classes.
Katie Thomas, Member
Cardinal Schools Board of Education
