By: Dr. Darron Arlt - PHS Superintendent
Every small town like Plainview, which has seen population decline in recent decades, is likely deep in conversation about how to promote economic development and arrest the decline in population.
I recall as a young boy in the 1970’s that the population signs on Hwy 20 read 1,490 and then changed to 1,480 in the 1980’s. We recently received the results of the 2020 census. Depending on which direction you are entering Plainview, our population is now either 1,353 or 1,282. While we’ve seen an obvious decline in population, as much as 14%, it doesn’t seem too much like a free-fall.
Naturally, local public schools in these small towns have also seen an enrollment decline.
My records indicate a high mark of 789 students enrolled at Plainview Public Schools in 1970. The smallest total since then was 315 students in 2017-2018. Incidentally, the 5-school merger data from nearly 15 years ago projected our school enrollment to be 212 students in 23-24.
The actual number of students enrolled last year was 355. Today, our student population is 352. Obviously, enrollment projections beyond 10 years are somewhat of a subjective guess, a guess that was way off for Plainview Public Schools 15 years ago.
What is promising for Plainview Public Schools is we have strong numbers in every class all the way down to kindergarten, which is currently a class of 30 students.
Are local public schools part of the economic development strategy for small towns? Does a small town public school with a positive culture, dedicated and caring staff, student achievement and success in the classroom, the field, court, stage, and mats enhance the reputation of not only the school but the community? Do safe, modern, practical, and attractive facilities matter?
Yes, yes, and YES!
Every aspect of a small town has to project a growth mindset.
Attracting and promoting business and industry development isn’t easy but we need courageous and optimistic leaders to do it. Developing residential properties is a necessary parallel effort. All of this requires courage, sacrifice, and commitment. It also means we must make investments.
Your local public school is often the largest employer in a small town with a huge economic impact. The collective salary of our teaching staff will be just over two-million dollars next school year.
That is a massive economic boost to Plainview when much of those dollars are spent here in town to buy homes, shop, bank, and pay taxes. Indeed, a strong, vibrant, growing school district is vital to the stability and growth of a small town.
Therefore, we must maintain a growth mindset for our schools. If/when school consolidation becomes more real, we need to be in the best position to be the home of the middle/high school.
Geography matters, but also facilities matter and are a difference maker when attracting new families to town or if advocating to be the home of a consolidated school.
So when thinking about the economic growth and future of Plainview, don’t overlook the contribution of, and the necessary investment in, Plainview Public Schools.