Let's come together as a community

To the editor,

Lick Creek voters please take notice – if you Vote Yes on the referendum school buildings are not closing and programs are not being cut.

A Yes vote on the referendum could actually enable Lick Creek to stay viable financially and the current programs sustainable in the future.

We have heard nothing but misinformation from those opposed to reorganizing from 4 districts into 1 district.

It’s not just the misinformation being spread that is disappointing but just as important is what the opposition is not telling you and have been completely silent about – the decline in student enrollment over the last 8 years at Lick Creek and the estimated drop in student enrollment at Lick Creek over the next 5 years.

This issue is critical to the financial stability of an individual small district such as Lick Creek or as it would be to Jonesboro or Anna, as individual districts.

Lick Creek voters need to be aware that between the year 2002 and 2010 its student enrollment has declined from 134 to 117 and more importantly a drop in the enrollment of 35 students over the next 5 years has been estimated by the Phillips Study (funded by Lick Creek and the other districts – hereafter the “School Study”).

It is in black and white in the study. Also, the School Study clearly emphasized and Dr. Phillips stated during his presentation how critical a drop of 35 students would be to Lick Creek’s budget, when he pointed out that Lick Creek could not sustain this type of drop in enrollment.

If this happens, Lick Creek will lose right at $3,720 per student or as much as $130,200.00 total per year from its current budget.

It’s clear that this would make it impossible for Lick Creek to be viable financially and wouldn’t have any alternative but to shut the doors.

Even if the drop in enrollment is half what is estimated it would be devastating to Lick Creek’s financial stability and its ability to maintain current student programming and extra-curricular activities.

It is just a reality that over time districts experience peaks and valleys in their enrollment numbers.

Through the School Study this is evident as it compares and contrasts the present numbers to future numbers.

As separate districts these peaks and valleys will result in unstable economic times and as the School Study indicates and Dr. Phillips stated during his presentation it would be devastating to Lick Creek’s financial stability. 

With an increase of enrollment comes additional dollars along with additional expenses, and with a decrease in enrollment a loss of dollars and a need to decrease expenses. 

With a unit district your enrollment numbers are more consistent. 

The peaks and valleys are spread out among all the combined districts stabilizing the overall numbers resulting in a more predictable financial future for all.

We don’t want to see any of the schools have to close over the next several years.

Let’s come together as a community, Vote Yes on school district reorganization and enjoy the peaks as one unit and sustain the valleys together as one unit – bringing opportunity to our community.

Submitted by John Bigler on behalf of the Committee of Ten