The USD 112 Board of Education made a myriad of decisions during its Jan. 9 meeting. While the vote to shutter Wilson Jr./Sr. High School was inarguably the headline, other items from that night need attention.

We realize that USD 112 covers a vast geographic region, and prior to the January meeting, the board rotated its meeting site. This provided local patrons an opportunity to attend and directly address the board, if desired. That all stopped on Jan. 9, when the board voted to hold all future meetings in Claflin.

Yes, having meetings in Claflin is more convenient for the superintendent and staff, but with how emotionally charged the closure of WJSHS has been, it doesn’t feel like the right time to end board meetings in Wilson. Especially when Wilson would have been the location where the February meeting was to be held, prior to the January vote.

Online technology is helpful, but it cannot and should not replace in-person meetings. It makes the board less available at a time when personal connection and the ability to communicate openly is needed the most. Karen Bonar Publisher