Many people don’t see the advantages of school closings.

At some point in life, schools are going to have be closed due to safety precautions, costs and reorganization. It is better to do school closings now than later because the economy is doing better than ever and construction is thriving.

Schools are being reorganized in a better order so that they don’t fail. Old schools don’t really get any better. They tend to stay at where they are or decline further. Even if old schools have sales, fundraisers, events and sell merchandise, those schools will eventually continue to stay where they are or decline.

Old schools have to spend too much money on energy costs. Why spend so much money on an old school when you could be using that money to build a new school that can hold more students?

Faith Elementary is 90 years old and has the highest energy per square foot cost and the highest energy per student cost of several elementary schools considered for closure. Old schools don’t have the capacity of nearly as many students when compared to new schools.

Old schools shouldn’t have to pay high energy costs when there aren’t even as many students there.

Another reason why schools should be allowed to close is that there are too many unsafe conditions. For example, China Grove Elementary has a stairwell that is two-way. You have to squeeze your way through when there is a one-way. China Grove Elementary is not handicap accessible.

It is hard for people with disabilities to navigate through the school. The main hallway is hilly and makes it hard for handicapped children and adults. There are many advantages to school closings that people don’t notice.

— Lacie Gilbert

Salisbury