Fixed buildings make less sense in rapidly declining rural Iowa. Advances in virtual learning have rendered them obsolete. Rather than maintaining very expensive, obsolete, school buildings, assign laptop computers to students. Modern 5G systems make this approach very affordable.
Thanks for your comment! I think that we saw student learning dip during Covid-19 when schools were closed instruction was 100% virtual. Another consideration is that 5G still is not universal; it's more expensive to reach the "last mile" in rural areas, and many carriers are unwilling to make this investment. Iowa also has a high percentage of parents in the workforce, and they can't leave their children at home alone to learn virtually.
And it is important to note that not all children learn well virtually. I have a granddaughter who struggled when remote learning, but has thrived now that she is back to brick & mortar school. I would hate to see virtual learning become the "norm" simply because it is perceived as cheaper. One size does NOT fit all!
Thank you, Cheryl. The Governor and her cronies are damaging the education system in Iowa taking her cues from the heartless Governor of Texas.
Michael Dargan ,from the comments ,has an interesting perspective with one point that popped out to me is mass school shooting casualties would be virtually eliminated. Especially in light of Republicans push to bring more guns into the schools! Thank you, Michael D.,for thinking outside the box.
Thanks, Michael. Yes, you have a point that school shootings would dramatically decline, with Michael D.'s approach. Then we would just need to focus on grocery stores, movie theatres, churches, parades ––and more!
Thank you, Cheryl. Having been raised in rural Blackhawk Co., attending a one room school house through the second grade, I am an advocate for public education. The home schooling alternative would not provide the social construct desperately needed to be participants in active, growing communities.
Agree about fixed building issues, however if privates are favored as the purchaser of the property will they be required to create a school or could this purchase become “development property” that can eventually be sold at a profit? As a religious school I assume they are tax exempt. Public schools are not on a level playing field with private schools.
Fixed buildings make less sense in rapidly declining rural Iowa. Advances in virtual learning have rendered them obsolete. Rather than maintaining very expensive, obsolete, school buildings, assign laptop computers to students. Modern 5G systems make this approach very affordable.
Thanks for your comment! I think that we saw student learning dip during Covid-19 when schools were closed instruction was 100% virtual. Another consideration is that 5G still is not universal; it's more expensive to reach the "last mile" in rural areas, and many carriers are unwilling to make this investment. Iowa also has a high percentage of parents in the workforce, and they can't leave their children at home alone to learn virtually.
And it is important to note that not all children learn well virtually. I have a granddaughter who struggled when remote learning, but has thrived now that she is back to brick & mortar school. I would hate to see virtual learning become the "norm" simply because it is perceived as cheaper. One size does NOT fit all!
Yes, you are right!
Excellent piece. Thank you!
So glad you liked it!
What’s next on the agenda to privatize? This is all quite puzzling. Thanks for keeping this on the front burner.
Thanks, Josiah!
Great column!
Glad that you enjoyed reading it, John!
Thank you, Cheryl. The Governor and her cronies are damaging the education system in Iowa taking her cues from the heartless Governor of Texas.
Michael Dargan ,from the comments ,has an interesting perspective with one point that popped out to me is mass school shooting casualties would be virtually eliminated. Especially in light of Republicans push to bring more guns into the schools! Thank you, Michael D.,for thinking outside the box.
Thanks, Michael. Yes, you have a point that school shootings would dramatically decline, with Michael D.'s approach. Then we would just need to focus on grocery stores, movie theatres, churches, parades ––and more!
Thank you, Cheryl. Having been raised in rural Blackhawk Co., attending a one room school house through the second grade, I am an advocate for public education. The home schooling alternative would not provide the social construct desperately needed to be participants in active, growing communities.
Absolutely! Thanks.
Agree about fixed building issues, however if privates are favored as the purchaser of the property will they be required to create a school or could this purchase become “development property” that can eventually be sold at a profit? As a religious school I assume they are tax exempt. Public schools are not on a level playing field with private schools.
Good point, Char, regarding what boundaries might be applied to future use. Thank you!