Keep Little Red Schoolhouse Open! Meeting next Friday Nov 22 - 1pm @ Sourdough

The Little Red Schoolhouse

When my husband and I were looking for a mountain property on which to build our retirement cabin eleven years ago, we were drawn to the Lowman area because we had spent several summers bringing our children to GrandJean and the Sawtooth Lodge and were mesmerized with the natural beauty of the surroundings.

From the first time we traveled on Highway 21, I remember admiring the little red schoolhouse and wondering if children still had the opportunity to learn in such an idyllic location. I found out that, indeed, the Lowman Elementary School was one of only a few hundred operating one-room schoolhouses left in the United States.

I now know that the schoolhouse is in danger of closing due to low enrollment. My children are grown and long gone from Idaho, but I have been involved in Idaho public education for over forty years and am invested in seeing the school remain open for the community’s children who should have the opportunity to learn there, but also as a valuable resource for the wider population.

An educated populace is needed to maintain a civil democracy, and in the United States we are lucky that all are provided a free public education. In my experience, public education has served our state’s children well and it is paramount that we continue to support it. Public schools are where our citizens learn to get along with and work with others who may be different from us.

As any educator will tell you, class size makes a huge difference in the learning atmosphere and culture of a classroom, and having a small teacher-to-student ratio allows the teacher to differentiate the instruction to fit each individual student. Such a low ratio is a benefit at the Lowman Elementary School. Having a qualified, certified, experienced teacher who is interested in staying in the community is also a huge benefit. When many rural schools are struggling to find qualified teachers to fill their classrooms, this is a gift.

Finally, the building itself should be maintained as a community resource for all who live in Lowman. Community meetings could be held in the space; art and music classes (as part of the school curriculum) can be offered; craft sales or Holiday gatherings could take place at various times of the year; exercise classes, community gardening, or community interest classes are all possibilities.

If you are interested in finding out more about keeping the Little Red Schoolhouse open, or if you are a parent who is currently home schooling your child in this area and would be open to discussing attendance, please join us at an open meeting on Friday, November 22, 2024, 1:00 p.m. at the Sourdough.

Warm Regards,

Dr. Lori Conlon Khan
Former Instructor in the Boise School District Visiting
Professor of Music Education at Boise State
Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Idaho
Phone: (208) 8678-4914
Email: lckmusic@aol.com

Mrs. Patricia Erichsen, Longtime Lowman Resident
Phone: (208) 259-3512

Mrs. Mary Wagner, Concerned Parent & Citizen

Lowman Little Red Schoolhouse photo from Let'er Buck Adventures

Editor's note: Please reply with your thoughts to Dr. Lori even if you can't attend Fri Nov 22 at 1pm at Sourdough.