) That can provide outside or contracted services & support normally a part of the school. Note that this can be a substantial construction savings also. on-site water and sewer (wells and septic systems) costs have escalated dramatically.
Design buildings that relate to the existing neighborhood fabric: as close to the street as adjacent buildings for friendliness/urban context;
Use two or three-story where possible to promote density and reduce sprawl, develop facades/aesthetics that relate to its surroundings yet still say 'school';
Share/make use of other joint amenities: parks, libraries, restaurants, civic facilities, etc. rather than constructing duplicate ones; and Open the school for other community uses, work out joint use arrangements (including funding) to promote the school as a community center rather than just a school. (State Board of Education, Department of Pubic Instruction and Public Schools of North Carolina, 2001)
All of these are termed as "Smart Growth Principles" as stated by the North Carolina State Board of Education, Department of Public Instruction and Public Schools of North Carolina. (2001) This report carefully notes that varied uses of the school facilities even in small schools in that joint-use agreements are inclusive of "school partnering agencies" as follows:
Parks & Recreation: gym and playfields; potentially arts, vocational and multipurpose rooms;
Public Library: combine with school media center, computer labs, etc.
Community College: adult education, GED, vocational courses, special interest courses, technology and computer courses;
Parking lots: shared with non-conflicting nearby business or agencies, such as churches, or other after-school-hours businesses;
Transportation: municipal bus service for student transportation;
Performing Arts Council: auditorium and support spaces;
Health Dept: small clinic;
YMCA: youth athletic programs,...
(State Board of Education, Department of Pubic Instruction and Public Schools of North Carolina, 2001)
FINDINGS of the LITERATURE REVIEW
The literature reviewed in this study has revealed that small schools serve the community on several levels and that comparing the benefits of the smaller schools must be from a perspective that views the overall benefits of small schools both in their provision of educational instruction but as well in their community-building capacity which further serves to strengthen the educational foundation.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The primary recommendation arising from this brief review is the recommendation for a more in-depth study of the benefits that small schools mean for the community and this assessed among the very layers which produce these benefits or lack of them. In fact, the knowledge of precisely how small schools enable the surrounding community in accomplishing and the knowledge of how these schools impact the 'becoming' of the community in and around the schools would certainly serve to further research in its attempt to understand whether it is better to close small schools in times of economic crises or to keep these schools open and about their usual business of provide education to children.
Works Cited
Small Schools, Walkable Schools, Urban Schools: Making Current Trends in School Design Feasible. Public schools of North Carolina, State Board of Education; and Department of Public Instruction. Raleigh, NC.
Cobbold, Trevor (2006) the Interaction of School Size and Economic Status on Student Performance. A Review of the Research Evidence. Save Our Schools Canberra. October 2006.
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