Morning Read: And then there was one (in Long Lake, that is)
A lot of reporting this week about the fact that Long Lake Central School District will only graduate one senior this year, Stephen Pitcher (pictured here from his high school yearbook.
This from Mary Thill in the Adirondack Almanack.
Many Adirondack schools struggle with low enrollment, and they share proms, sports teams and other resources with neighboring districts. Raquette Lake Central School closed in 2005, busing its last three students to Indian Lake.
The Hamilton County Express, meanwhile, (subscription required to read full article) is reporting that only 54 seniors graduated this spring in the entire county.
Fifty-two Hamilton County high school seniors will graduate in ceremonies next week at Indian Lake Central School, Long Lake Central School, Town of Webb School and Wells Central School…Indian Lake Central School has 17 graduates this year.
The Glens Falls Post Star notes that when Pitcher’s family requested that the graduation ceremony be canceled, the school complied.
When the Pitcher family requested Friday’s graduation ceremony be canceled, the Long Lake Central School complied.
The family is that of Stephen Pitcher, who is the Class of 2011. He is the only person graduating this year.
Long Lake, with 63 students from prekindergarten to grade 12 this year, is one of the smallest districts in the state.
Congratulations to Stephen.
The value of education is not measured in $$$$. When we question whether it is “worth it” to provide education for the next generation we have truly lost our way as a society.
Between technology and perhaps easing of some mandates that were written with large school districts in mind I suspect ways can be found to continue to provide quality education to our children.
Maybe it would be cheaper for the county to send high school students in HAmilton County to a private boarding school.
or to Newcomb.
The real question is… is there a (non-teaching) Superintendant, High School Principal, Middle School Principal, and Grade School Principal administrating those 63 students? If so, why can’t the administrative burden be shared among the current microdistricts?
Interesting and the state owns 95% of Hamilton county. We are always told the state ownership of land leads to prosperity and growing community’s in the Adirondacks. Eco tourism will save Hamilton County.
McCulley: The state does not own 95% of Hamilton County.
The Adirondacks are doing better than most of the rest of rural NYS.
With no agriculture (due to harsh climate) and little year round retail (due to tiny population), is it a shock that the county’s population isn’t booming? Or do you want the APA to mandate better weather?
FYI-Thank you Brian Mann for acknowledging the source of this story even though it was “only” a blog. Some of your professional journalist colleagues in the region seem not to understand the ethical imperative of doing so.
And by the way, LLCS expects to have 12 graduates next year. This was a blip.
Creativity is the answer to this…look at Newcomb CSD…great job there and lots of positive ideas to generate other creative thinking…also, take a look at the home schoolers and their organization of talented parents…we’re headed in the right direction.
Sad there was no graduation ceremony for Stephen (even if it was his decision).
Came away from Canton’s graduation exercises last evening feeling proud of ALL graduates…not just the ones I know.
The list of accomplishments and the display of talent was impressive.
Mostly, the tears in the eyes of the graduates’ family and friends, the excitement in the air, the lingering time after the ceremony…all the culmination of 13 years of efforts.
Go well into this wonderful world, dear seniors all.
Congratulations Stephen. I know you probably got one of the best educations in the country. “Good for you”, that is something to be very proud of. Make the best of it. Live a good life. I,m sure many envy you.