The Face of Consolidation

          

           I saw this video circulating on Facebook. First, before anyone accuses me of “bad mouthing” anything or anyone – I support what they are doing in Arlington. They have the same problem that we have here in Wadena. We both have dilapidated schools that are sitting there and rotting away. Both are eyesores. In both instances, the schools were left to the towns after consolidation.

            If you listen to the people in this video, they describe the school very fondly and point out that the school was the focal point of the town. They mentioned that the school was used through 1987. I have family in Arlington. I guess I was not aware that it lasted that long, but I do remember it being used when I was a young kid in the late 1970’s.

            I don’t know when Starmont was formed, but I’m almost positive it was pre 1970. That would mean that for at least 17 years, the Starmont school district used the Arlington building. I’m not really sure what they used it for. Maybe this was before they expanded out at their current site? Regardless, it should be a lesson for all of us.

            Starmont is a school with a central campus. Starmont was formed by combining Strawberry Point, Arlington, and Lamont. Each of those towns had their own school buildings at one time. Now, everything sits out there at the Maryville Corners. Did Starmont see fit to keep investing in those town schools and keep those buildings up? No. They did what every school in Iowa does. They moved towards a central campus.

            When those old town schools got old and needed either repair or replacement, they dumped the buildings on the towns and built new at the central campus. Even our very own Valley did this over the past 50 years. Why would anyone in their right mind expect anything less from this new arrangement that we just entered into?

            First off, there will be a push to consolidate. It’s not a matter of if, but when. Once consolidation comes, everything will be based in West Union, not Elgin. Any new buildings will be built in West Union, not Elgin. Just like every other school district, they will use the Elgin campus until it’s in serious need of repair, then abandon it. It will be dumped on the taxpayers and a bond will be raised to build a new school in West Union.

            Watch the video and think about our future at Valley. That’ll be our school in maybe 25 years or so. Maybe you won’t live long enough to see it, but your kids and grandchildren will.

            I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it. It’s North Fayette’s future that’s bright, not Valley’s. Our school will slowly fade away and dissolve. West Union will still have the school, the control, the tax money, the jobs, and we will have a dilapidated building to deal with.

                                                                                                                                    -Eric