Many towns have found that new residential and commercial sprawl soon follows the siting of a school in a previously rural location. The Bennington situation is typical. Recently, there has been a strong trend towards school consolidation and bigger schools. Big schools require big parcels of cheap land, most often found on the outskirts of town. This trend defeats efforts to rehabilitate or build smaller schools in walkable neighborhoods.
Recent research says no.
Studies now show that student achievement in small schools is often better than in large ones. And small schools result in a greater sense of belonging, higher student attendance rates, and more participation in extra-curricular activities. The Dean Administration can start enforcing its anti-sprawl policies and stop funding school sprawl. Bennington is a good place to begin. Conservation Law Foundation is urging local school officials to abandon the East Road site and consider other, cheaper, smarter locations.