| RURAL SCHOOLS FACE THE BIGGEST BATTLE TO PROVIDE BASIC CURRICULUM AND BASIC OPERATING SERVICES
By Bob Weaver
Education is facing some major challenges in most West Virginia counties over dropping enrollment.
The state's child-bearing population is declining, mostly because of a lack of viable jobs in the state. Young couples are
moving to other areas to pursue a career or seek employment.
Calhoun schools have lost 67 students this year, down to 1,216, according to Jean Simers, Coordinator of Services/Executive Secretary.
Loss of students means loss of funding. Loss of funding means loss of professional
people to deliver mandated programs and service.
The Calhoun County Board of Education will be facing the elimination of more
teachers and service personnel next spring.
Hit particularly hard are rural counties, where the funding formula is taking a major
toll in providing mandated services under No Child Left Behind.
Schools are being held accountable for not maintaining standards, a catch-22 that
proclaims an excellent education for all children, while not providing the funds to
deliver it - particularly in rural areas.
Many school officials and educators are wondering about a breaking point. How
can rural systems deliver the requirements with fewer and fewer personnel?
Calhoun Superintendent of Schools Ron Blankenship has spent several years trying
to convince state education officials and legislators that the formula must be
changed, particularly for rural schools.
About three years ago a staggering 113 students left the Calhoun system in one year.
A five year trend shows more students are leaving West Virginia's public schools
than are enrolling, according to figures submitted to the state this week.
It is unclear about the funding loss to Calhoun next year, but it could be over $400,000.
When the new Calhoun Middle/High School opened in 1998-99 the enrollment was
945 students. The current enrollment at CM/HS is 728 - a decrease of 217
students.
Simers said in 2004 Calhoun Middle/High School is expected to graduate 104
students, with only 79 new students entering the school's fifth grade. Elementary
class enrollment, grades one through four, has dropped to an average of 75
students.
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