Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Editor, Times-Union:
The potential closure of Claypool School is about much more than closing a building. Approximately 200 students and their families depend on Claypool for their education, along with the teachers and staff who depend on it for their livelihoods. Closing this school would have a lasting impact on an entire community.
For families like mine, attending another school would create significant challenges with work schedules, transportation, and family obligations. These are real-life circumstances that deserve consideration.
Funding has been an issue even when enrollment was higher. It often feels as though Claypool is overlooked simply because it isn't located in Warsaw. Children in smaller, rural schools deserve the same opportunities, resources, and investment as students in larger schools.
One of the greatest benefits for my children has been smaller class sizes, allowing for individualized attention, meaningful relationships with teachers, and a true sense of belonging. Education is about more than budgets and enrollment numbers. It's about the environment where our children learn, grow, and build relationships.
Another concern is the suggestion that closing or consolidating Claypool would provide more opportunities, particularly in athletics. One comment that stood out was the idea of students no longer losing soccer games by 15 points or being able to celebrate a winning basketball season.
But is an elementary school's value really measured by winning sports teams or producing the next athletic star?
I strongly disagree. Elementary athletics should be about participation, teamwork, sportsmanship, building confidence, and giving every child the opportunity to learn and improve. Winning is exciting, but it should never determine a school's success or a child's potential. Our children deserve opportunities without being made to feel that attending a smaller school makes them any less capable or deserving.
I'm not suggesting Claypool is perfect. Every school has room for improvement. But improvements require proper funding, resources, and support. If there are areas where Claypool is falling short, shouldn't we first ask what can be done to help it succeed rather than move directly toward closure?
I have yet to hear a clear explanation of what options exist to prevent this. What can families and community members do? Can we have a specific deadline and transparent outline of the enrollment, financial, or operational goals needed to keep Claypool open, along with the support necessary to achieve them?
Our community deserves answers, transparency, and a genuine opportunity to be part of the solution. This should be an opportunity to come together and work toward what is best for our children and future generations.
At the end of the day, these are our children, our families, and our community. We are the ones who will live with the consequences of this decision. Our children, families, and staff deserve to be heard.
Please don't make a decision about Claypool without first giving our community a real opportunity to fight for it.
Anna Berner
Silver Lake, via email
