Classes started with a bang. The streets of Manhattan became crowded again, and students filled the halls and sidewalks of K-State. The air was hot, and the sun glared down. All these images are associated with a new beginning and a fresh college experience.
    Unfortunately for me, I am reminded of a rather depressing time, a period before K-State was even in my scope. A time when classes were all day, and a principal ruled over the land.
    That’s right — the time of high school where little was learned, and time was wasted.
        Most of you probably had the wonderful experience after-school specials are built upon. However, for the rest of us, our secondary educational tenure was less than picture perfect.
    Small-town schools in America are not successfully preparing their students for the world beyond Friday night football and homeroom.
        Because I spent my 13 pre-college years in the same building, I had no idea what to expect until I was thrown into the campus atmosphere. Once there, I quickly figured out that my podunk 4.0 grade point average would not cut it. Collegiate courses were nothing like I had experienced before, and I spent several weeks playing catch up.
        Why have small schools failed? In today’s world, where money is power, one cannot help but think that a lack of funds is the main limiting factor. Communities where neighbors are few and far between definitely have restrictions when it comes to financial income. Raising taxes and bond issues are popular choices for many suffering school districts, but these solutions face many challenges from the district patrons before doing any actual good.
    Money does not always mean quality, but in this case, it does. Teachers are grossly underpaid in the first place, and highly qualified individuals find it hard to take a pay cut just to teach at a small school.
    We are all too familiar with college loans, but now imagine trying to keep your head above water and pay them off on a teaching salary. Not too pretty, huh? Teaching is not a profession pursued by the greedy, but when one is forced to weigh the basic needs of their family over their career, it is obvious which one is going to win.
    This leaves underqualified, young and near-retirement teachers filling the space in classrooms. In this scenario, students become the losers. They lose some of the most valuable learning years of their lives to educators who would prefer to be somewhere else.
    I can contest; being taught only the basics for standard testing is not ideal. The No Child Left Behind Act has increased the tendency to teach what will appear on national exams, and to leave it at that. Does this really prepare small-town children for something bigger?
    Districts across the nation have been grasping for solutions. Though many have come up short of an answer, others are turning to consolidation. The basic principle behind this is that a bigger district creates bigger income. Should the small-school feel be sacrificed? If it brings about a better education, considering that is the purpose of schooling, then my answer must be yes. There is nothing better than the satisfaction of personally knowing everyone in your school, but lets face it, we are attending school, not daycare. Atmosphere cannot be everything.
    The West Franklin School District in Williamsburg, Kan., is in its second year as consolidated district.
    “It was a good move,” said Susan Wildeman, principal of Williamsburg Elementary. “It has provided a stronger education to all ages of kids.”
    The hometown feel in Williamsburg is definitely a “different atmosphere,” she explained, retaining the small-town feel by keeping the focus on the children as individuals, and using a qualified staff to provide an excellent education.
    As K-State students from small towns start to feel a little “left behind” themselves, they should remember they are not alone. It might mean extra work, but it is always worth it.
    Letting past failures influence future successes helps no one. These students must leave high school in the past and allow K-State to prepare them for success.


Shane Oram is a sophomore in political science and animal sciences and industry. Please send comments to opinion@spub.ksu.edu.