In November of 2010, the USD 348 School Board decided to close Vinland and Marion Springs Elementary schools in order to lower costs.

Many argued that keeping these schools alive was simply too expensive. However, the school board said closing the schools would be “better for everyone”.

I disagree. You can’t put a price on a good education. I attended Vinland Elementary School, and I believe the school influenced who I am as a person immensely.

“I definitely think Vinland is worth the cost,” Audrey Osborn, current BHS junior and Vinland graduate, said. “I think asking if it is worth the cost is like asking if teaching kids is worth the cost.”

The benefits of these schools outweighed the cost. According to the New Rules Project, studies show students who attend small schools academically outperform students in larger schools. These studies also claim students in smaller schools are less likely to drop out of school and more likely to attend college.

Students in smaller schools are more easily able to build bonds with teachers. Teachers with fewer students are able to give each student more one-on-one time, ensuring each student is learning and developing in a positive fashion.

“There weren’t so many kids in the classes, so teachers could help each student as an individual as well as teach the whole class together,” BHS junior Bailey Smith said of Vinland.

Smaller elementary schools also create stronger relationships among students.

“It was easier to make friends at Vinland,” Vinland graduate and BHS junior Stephanie Peterson said. “Everyone looked out for everyone.”

Students in smaller schools tend to be more accepting of different people. When you only have 10 people in your class, it’d difficult not to be friends with someone.

Many students who attended these schools still feel a strong connection with them.

“I was at Vinland for six years of my life,” Smith said, “and after six years there, it’s hard to believe that it’s gone.”

An excellent education should not be deteriorated over a budget issue. Funding is low, but closing Vinland and Marion Springs was not the solution to this issue.  The benefits of these schools was enormous, and closing them destroyed these.

“I am who I am today because of my education and life at Vinland,” Osborn said. “It was a great experience as a kid and I wish every day that I could go back.”

Closing these schools not only effected previous students, but will also effect future students. It saddens me that some of these kids will not know Vinland or Marion Springs. They will just be the little buildings sprouting weeds on the side of dead end country roads.