Allendale Takeover Should Call In Meeting Street Schools

As a former speech and debate coach, I remember well attending meets at Allendale-Fairfax High School not long after the first state takeover was lifted. The buildings were well kept, if spartan and well-seasoned. The students and coaches were enthusiastic and hard working. Teacher coaches admitted that the 1999 takeover by the state had made little difference. Everyone involved wanted to succeed.

The second time around is unlikely to be a charm. Too many factors work against well-meaning professionals. Nevertheless, help is essential.

One aspect that needs serious thought is the existence of these rural districts with few students. Next door to Allendale are Bamberg County Districts 1 & 2 (dividing an incredibly small student population) and the Hampton County District (another small student population). While rural distances must be accounted for, it still appears that having four school districts in an area of three counties where the total student population hovers under 5,000 is just plain ridiculous. And the other three districts aren't doing much better than Allendale.

You see, the Charleston County School District's low-performing schools would feel right at home in Allendale, or Bamberg District 2, or Hampton. They share a problem: how to educate the children living in poverty-stricken homes whose adults also are poorly educated. 

In Charleston County, the answer seems to be Meeting Street Schools.

I know, that's extra time and money. Isn't the state already spending those?

Sometimes endemic problems call for drastic measures. While those attempting to pull Allendale out of the mire should be commended, we are still just fooling around with the edges.