Let’s form our opinions rationally

This is no time to let emotion get in the way.

Following our story about Monday’s Jay School Board meeting, our Facebook page lit up with comments.

Some of them were critical of Jay School Corporation’s previous superintendent. Some revisited the decision to close the Pennville Elementary. Some railed about their preference to cut sports and administration rather than eliminate buildings.

Most comments were clearly based solely on emotion rather than fact.

There were some exceptions though, including one post that suggested that those who feel passionately about the issue attend school board meetings and gather as much information as possible.

That is good advice. And it’s exactly what we’re advocating here.

Let’s address a couple of things.

1) “Closing schools.” This language seems to be problematic. Some readers react as if that means Jay School Corporation will no longer be providing education to some of its students.

That, of course, is not the case.

What we’re really talking about is closing buildings. And buildings do not teach, do not mentor, do not guide. Those are the jobs of our teachers and other staff, and they can be good at those things regardless of the bricks and mortar that surround them.

2) Slimming down administration. Many have advocated for this as a way to save money. That’s a reasonable opinion.

But it’s important to remember that closing buildings accomplishes that goal. The bulk of the “administration” positions in Jay Schools are principals. Jay County currently has nine. With each building that closes, one of those positions goes away.

3) Enrollment is down because Pennville Elementary closed. Yes. And no.

It’s true that Jay Schools lost some students to neighboring school corporations after the decision was made to close Pennville. But enrollment has been fading for decades.

Jay County has lost nearly 700 students — nearly 18 percent — since 1999. And it’s a trend that is happening all over the state, for a variety of reasons.

There’s no shortage of information available about Jay Schools’ enrollment, its financial situation and its possible plans for the future. The issue has been covered on the pages of this newspaper for years.

Beyond that, for those who were unable to attend Monday’s school board meeting, superintendent Jeremy Gulley’s presentation is available online. You can view it here at bit.ly/JSCplanning.

Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion.

But before you form yours, do yourself a favor and review the mountain of data that has been compiled. Talk to other teachers and administrators. Read up on what is happening in terms of enrollment declines throughout Indiana. And do so with an open mind.

Then make your decision, rationally. — R.C.