Education
As everywhere else, residents of Randolph County value good schools and quality education, and similar to other rural communities, schools are seen as part of the social and cultural fabric of the community. This is not an insignificant role of schools in the county and must be part of the decision regarding the consolidation issue. Other issues to consider are school quality, which varies widely among school corporations regardless of how people feel about them, and school size. Most of the school corporations are below the threshold of optimal enrollment of 2,000students. Increasing enrollment to quality threshold level can come from one of two places: consolidation or growth. Both are difficult to achieve; one (growth) is almost impossible to achieve without existing high-quality schools. If school corporations in Randolph County do decide to consolidate, steps should be taken to ensure that communities continue to have a focal point for community life. It cannot be overstressed that community schools play an integral role in community identity and pride; thoughtful consideration and considerable effort towards fostering this role in another institution, through the repurposing of school buildings, or rallying around county schools should be a priority for policy makers, community leaders, and school administration. A concerted, compassionate effort to educate all community members regarding the benefits of consolidation and addressing the myths and concerns of residents should also be a priority. If school corporations in Randolph County decide not to consolidate, steps should be taken to support the strengths of each school system and encourage continue collaboration. The quality of school corporations is of primary concern for young families deciding where to relocate impressions of school system come primarily from state and/or federal rating systems. The majority of Randolph County’s school corporations do not fare well in these systems. Regardless of how current residents feel about their schools, a “C,” “D,” or “F” rating will not encourage growth. However, each school has strengths. Building from these strengths, understanding and believing the rating systems, and supporting school systems through increased local funding can help improve each of the five corporations.
