USD 112 Central Plains has tried to close Wilson because they hate the color purple! Crazy statement, right? Yes, it’s very unreasonable. I feel CP has tried to close Wilson, apparently, before they’re closed instead. Based on history, this is a real possibility. The time is ripe to stop this historical, small school closure trend. No one needs to close.

Back story: Consolidations were forced by the state in the 1960s. Due to the violent blow-back, Topeka turned the majority of power over to local boards. Four or more votes by a local BOE (board of education) now decide the best educational plan for their youth. It works most times, but demands study, open discussion and compromise by BOE members to arrive at the best outcome.

However, sometimes BOEs aren’t perfect, and outcomes cause harm to some, many or the entire population. They can’t be expected to be educational gurus, foreseeing the future. Sadly, too much power in the hands of good people who realistically don’t have the information or answers they need to succeed, especially for the long-term, aren’t always chosen. Neither side in this dispute should allow their students to settle for mere survival — we want “thrival.” Add that to Webster’s dictionary, please!

Being a BOE member can be overwhelming; tough decisions face you constantly. The reason to serve should be to improve the quality of education. CP reasons for closure didn’t include a single option for improved opportunities. How sad. School finance is complicated. The BOE didn’t ask for the financial numbers, a fact acknowledged by Superintendent Lowry and more than one BOE member. Big mistake. You can’t spend money wisely if you don’t know the numbers, personally or as a governing entity.

I believe CP’s present BOE is selfishly gasping for air. Can you realistically explain to any taxpayer how a huge drop in revenue (loss of students forever) will increase their revenue stream? What a tragic mistake in CP’s otherwise stellar history.

CP patrons need to know the finance numbers. Ask your local BOE now, “What will happen to the general fund, supplemental fund and capital outlay budgets?” Even though CP currently has more students than Wilson, the student loss will hit financials drastically, driving down revenue and taxpayers’ contributions up.

Additionally, if Wilson’s 7-12 building does close, expenses will continue to occur. No insurance company allows you to insure half a building. With or without an extension, Wilson K-12 is open until July 1. All taxpayers within the district boundaries should be asking to see the numbers and so-called savings. Yes, it’s late in the game, but I’d suggest pulling those reports together. The state doesn’t ask for detailed financial audits in normal situations, but future mitigation may require these.

If CP really wants to survive, work with Wilson under the guidance of the State Department of Education. Wilson has already started conversations with the state. Opportunities do exist! You are missing out.

This consolidation hasn’t been perfect, but where would you be without it? I agree you have money-management problems. This will only get worse as you lose about 70 students now and time and parents continue their steady march away. Your strong tradition will crumble, just like the aging Claflin High School. You need more than a temporary bandage to fix your capital outlay issues. You’ve got expensive projects that need immediate remediation if you want state accreditation.

Most people don’t make their best decisions under stressful conditions, thus, I can understand your misguided closure attempt and all the missteps that have happened along the way. You’ve panicked, rushed your first closure attempt in April, made other mistakes with hearing procedures, failed to prepare your financial data, tried to pressure your way through the closure details without regard to students’ and staffs’ human interests and continued to ignore pertinent advice.

Get real. COVID forced the entire educational atmosphere to change! It also forced many parents away from large public places, including schools. Parents are choosing smaller rural schools and communities. Wilson and CP can both capitalize on this trend. The state knows large public school enrollment numbers are down, some as much as 7 percent. They, however, are wise enough to see that the loss of student numbers hurts their bottom line. They are paying attention. They want to reverse this trend. They are listening to ideas being presented.

CP doesn’t hate purple, but obviously, they love their colors more! Together or apart, this district can paint a new direction for small schools across Kansas. I implore the BOE to rescind this closure decision, or at least allow time for Wilson to work with the state.

Wilson’s pre-school is open because Wilson has problemsolvers. Wilson has an after school program because they meet parents’ needs. You’re duplicating the pre-school idea. Your actions are not showing appreciation for their ingenuity or encouraging Wilson patrons to share innovative options being studied. Pause, listen and learn from them.

As one Wilson resident stated: “We are Wilson. We’ll figure this out!”

Wilson wants K-12. Wilson didn’t ask for a divorce or even a separation. The BOE has pushed this ahead, applying unnecessary stress and continued pressure. Wilson will accept a divorce, but not a death sentence!

One more request: From this point forward, stop using the students and staff as pawns.

I end with a quote from the movie “Dog Gone:”“If you live in a bubble, you suffocate.”

Ironically, you turn purple! Roberta Meier, retired educator Wilson-area resident