Young families are leaving the state in droves. Enrollment has declined faster than any state in the nation. Fewer students, fewer schools needed. End of story. But not everyone buys it.
Research shows that disadvantaged kids do better in small schools.
The bus rides are shorter. More students participate in extracurricular activities. The schools help to keep communities afloat. Wise had the small school supporters on his side. It was something he said last year, something deep and personal that caught everyone's attention.