| By Bob Weaver
Bigger may not be better, but smaller could self destruct, at least with WVs school funding formula.
Calhoun schools have lost about 500 students during the past 15 years, although this year's loss indicates the exodus may have leveled.
Thirty-seven WV counties are projected to have a continued loss of students.
Calhoun superintendent of schools, Ron Blankenship, says he is hopeful the Calhoun decline is slowing.
Since funding is tied to student enrollment, hardest hit are the most rural and poorest WV counties.
The loss in dollars to deliver basic education and services in Calhoun County is now $3 to $4 million dollars annually, based on the loss of 500 students.
Blankenship has long made efforts to modify the state's school funding formula so rural, low-populated counties can provide a proper education.
Some extra financial help has been given small school systems, but it may not be enough.
Dr. Howard O'Cull, the Executive Director of the WV School Boards Association, says the enhancement of curriculum has been one of the main arguments and lasting benefits of school consolidation.
But it may not be true for many rural systems.
The State Department of Education has quit claiming consolidation saves money.
While Calhoun has always had one high school, the closing of Minnora and Brooksville elementary schools with the creation of a middle school at the county's only high school (which includes grades 5 and up), should have helped the funding problem.
But that "help" may have been short-lived.
O'Cull says there is a real downside related to declining school enrollment.
Programs, teachers and services are being cut, and students will likely be short-changed.
"According to the Calhoun Board of Education, curricular programing adjustments may have to be made at Calhoun Middle-High School for the first time in the school's history, again based on declining school enrollments," said O'Cull.
O'Cull says what has been lost since 1988 is an emphasis on equity among districts. "With declining students some systems may not be able to provide educational quality," he said, particularly in systems of fewer that 1,000 students.
"The Calhoun County illustration shows us (closing schools) it may result in a loss of bettered curricula, which is often the rationale cited for closing facilities since the school aid formula is student driven," O'Cull said.
Blankenship has frequently told board members the margin of financial survival vs. maintaining teachers, programs and services is getting slim in Calhoun County.
Calhoun's Enrollment: Loss/Gain and Percentage Of Change:
1990-1991 1685
1991-1992 1700 +15 +.89%
1992-1993 1689 -11 - .65%
1993-1994 1705 +16 +.94%
1994-1995 1671 -34 -2.0%
1995-1996 1633 -38 -2.3%
1996-1997 1589 -44 -2.7%
1997-1998 1558 -31 -2.0%
1998-1999 1476 -82 -5.3%
1999-2000 1430 -46 -3.2%
2000-2001 1318 -112 -8.3%
2001-2002 1289 -29 -2.2%
2002-2003 1283 -6 -0.46%
2003-2004 1216 -67 -5.2%
2004-2005 1187 -29 -2.4%
2005-2006 1180 -7
TOTAL - 487 Students Down (15 Years) About 33% Loss
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