I know that a lot of people are upset the Detroit is closing a lot of schools

[MrScorpio]

But, the truth is that we've lost a hell of a lot of people over the past 10-15 years.

Consolidation is quite necessary.

That being said, making that deal with Walmart is unconscionable.

I'm the product of a Detroit public school education and I'm quite proud of that fact.

I just feel ashamed that this new economy is causing so much damage to our society is so many ways.

[Hannah Bell]

1. .....pfft.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7944600

[liberal N proud]

2. It is not dissimilar to what has been happening in rural America for decades

Many parts of Iowa only have one school for an entire county. Or the grade school may in one community, middle school in another and High school in still another.

[JoDog]

3. That is a good point

The rural Illinois school district that I graduated from had consolidated about 3 times. While I was in high school, two other nearby districts consolidated. My district also co-oped with another to have a football team.

If done right, consolidation can have great benefits for students. I was able to take elective courses that my school could not have afforded without consolidation. Hopefully, this can be done in a way to offer the students of Detroit more opportunities than they would have had otherwise.

[Tansy_Gold]

4. Two schools are being closed in Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, AZ

due to dropping enrollment.

The school district, however, is budgeting to have the facilities maintained until such time as enrollment increases AND to have the buildings available for community use during the interim.

My suburban Chicago high school was closed in 1984 due to faling enrollment; building was sold and is now home to "Christian Liberty Academy," a thoroughly repulsive far right wing operation. The grade school I attended was also closed due to falling enrollment and is now operated as a Montessori school and day care.

I suspect there are and have been school closings regularly throughout the past few decades, but the Detroit situation is notable for both the scope and the controversies surrounding the entire system. I don't mean to minimize the effects, but I think there is probably at least some justification for some closures simply on the basis of fallen enrollment numbers and the need to addres budget concerns.



Tansy Gold, who has seen the inside of CLA and was sickened