Show us the evidence to support closing NEVC

Dear Editor,

I recently read the letter offered by Greg Wortman in the Thursday, Sept. 2 Nevada Daily Mail. Three well written columns of one man's opinion.

In his letter, Mr. Wortman states ... "Students will grow and become stronger through challenges and interaction with more students in a moderately increased class size," This "opinion" seems to fly in the face of about one million articles found in about every form of publication touting the movement in education to smaller class sizes.

I've yet to see anyone quoted (at least on the record, if they value their professional life) advocating larger class sizes. The Internet is a big place. Talk is cheap. Please find and post the link of a video or cite an article written by a credible individual knowledgeable in education advocating larger class sizes. I'd love to see it and I'm sure our local newspapers would publish it.

Mr. Wortman goes on ... "Consolidation of smaller districts has been mandated in some states and has occurred through the political process throughout Missouri." Really? Mandated? By law? I've looked at Missouri statutes and regulations and am unable to find anything that indicates that Missouri is in the business of closing small schools. Please forgive me for being skeptical, but I'd ask you to provide the names of the states and specific reference to their laws that force consolidation of smaller school districts who have no debt, have above average scholastic ratings from the state, have sufficient students to operate, and do not wish to consolidate. You make this claim, please back it up. Name your states and cite their law for all to see.

While not stating specific town names, Mr. Wortman then goes on and attempts to write the epitaph for the Walker, Harwood, and Schell City areas. One sort of imagines that we in the NEVC school district live in some sort of vast economic wasteland, with our only hope of salvation an annexation to a district that does not particularly want us, vastly outnumbers us, will strip us of all local control, but will surely save us. I guess such a view of our area and our sorry condition causes me to wonder what in the world would have caused Mr. Wortman to move to this area permanently 12 years ago. Surely other locations were more attractive.

Sincerely,

John M. Hoagland

Proud NEVC resident, taxpayer, and voter