Youth from all over the Globe Make a Difference in a Small Town
Last month I showed the amazing difference in community development that youth vitality and innovation can bring. This month we’ll look at a new approach in community and school development and see what happens when a small community embraces youth as the future.
Nebraska has what is known as the “rule of 60” for small rural schools. If the number of students in grades 9-12 falls below 60, then local and area landowners can option out of the school district and join another district, possibly with lower taxes. Nothing holds them accountable to the local school district.
This has happened in a few villages and towns in Nebraska with devastating effects. Wausa, Nebraska, was in danger during the 2007-2008 school year of having that happen. Bob Marks, the Wausa school administrator, came up with a novel way to save the school and ultimately the community. With the help of seven foreign exchange students and seven host families, the school was able to raise the numbers over what was needed to stay solvent and safe.
But that is not the real story. The real story lies in the community itself. Wausa proclaims itself the Swedish Capitol of Nebraska. This is a small rural community with very little diversity, even in their names. Seven families chose to embark on this adventure that will leave a lasting impact on everyone involved. Call it a leap of faith into the unknown. These students from all over the globe are teaching Wausa a world outside this small village.
I shouldn’t be surprised at the innovation that started this as Bob Marks, the school administrator, is also one of my role models. I had him as an instructor when I was in Junior High School in Tilden, Nebraska. He always believed that human nature would come through, and he was right.
Wausa should be proud of their administrator, their community, and their youth for rallying around this issue of keeping their rural community alive and, in this case, thriving. Next month I will look at these students and how they are adapting to community and region.
Contact: Michael L. Holton, michaellh@cfra.org or 402.687.2103 x 1020 for more information on this regular monthly column.
Nebraska has what is known as the “rule of 60” for small rural schools. If the number of students in grades 9-12 falls below 60, then local and area landowners can option out of the school district and join another district, possibly with lower taxes. Nothing holds them accountable to the local school district.
This has happened in a few villages and towns in Nebraska with devastating effects. Wausa, Nebraska, was in danger during the 2007-2008 school year of having that happen. Bob Marks, the Wausa school administrator, came up with a novel way to save the school and ultimately the community. With the help of seven foreign exchange students and seven host families, the school was able to raise the numbers over what was needed to stay solvent and safe.
But that is not the real story. The real story lies in the community itself. Wausa proclaims itself the Swedish Capitol of Nebraska. This is a small rural community with very little diversity, even in their names. Seven families chose to embark on this adventure that will leave a lasting impact on everyone involved. Call it a leap of faith into the unknown. These students from all over the globe are teaching Wausa a world outside this small village.
I shouldn’t be surprised at the innovation that started this as Bob Marks, the school administrator, is also one of my role models. I had him as an instructor when I was in Junior High School in Tilden, Nebraska. He always believed that human nature would come through, and he was right.
Wausa should be proud of their administrator, their community, and their youth for rallying around this issue of keeping their rural community alive and, in this case, thriving. Next month I will look at these students and how they are adapting to community and region.
Contact: Michael L. Holton, michaellh@cfra.org or 402.687.2103 x 1020 for more information on this regular monthly column.
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