It’s no surprise, but the news that the Ely School District has again set a record of sorts - with the fewest number of students enrolled than at any time in the district’s modern history - should still be of concern.
Amid all the talk about Ely’s economy, its future and the often-spread claim that “Ely is dying,” the enrollment numbers can’t in any way be spun as a positive.
Healthy communities need a thriving, viable school, and shrinking enrollment totals put the local school district’s viability in jeopardy.
There’s no magic wand and nothing immediate that can significantly reverse those numbers, but ignoring the school district’s plight or simply scoffing and saying “that’s demographics” or “that’s just the way it is up here” is no strategy either.
Whether you’re a newcomer to Ely, an Ely native who remembers when the school hallways were filled, or a retiree making the community your new home, the school numbers should be of concern.
We believe economics should be front and center in any effort to reverse the enrollment trend and ensure that Ely remains a great place to live for those of all ages.
Simply put, that means good, decent-paying jobs.
Far too many Ely graduates last see Memorial High School the day they graduate and depart from the Washington Auditorium stage.
Most go elsewhere, very often for school and then to plant their own roots and start their own families.
For many, that’s a choice, but for far too many, they have no other option.
Some who might choose to come back home and raise their families in Ely are not able to do so, simply because there aren’t enough good-paying jobs.
Economic development must remain at the forefront of the discussion for all of our political leaders, be they school, city, county, state or federal.
An approach that supports many pillars, from tourism to entrepreneurship to, yes, even timber and mining and new development, is paramount.
One can’t say they support Ely in one breath and then fight anything that might create new jobs in another. It’s hypocritical and damaging to our future.
In addition to jobs, housing remains a challenge in Ely and while the plans to build a new apartment complex here are a great start, more must be done.
Whether it’s development of new lots or programs to refurbish old housing stock, all options must be on the table.
There are things beyond our control, namely higher interest rates and costs that are much higher than they once were when it comes to buying or building a house. Yet it’s clear that Ely has much to offer and people will live here if they can get good jobs and find a place to plant their roots.
Finally, Ely must remain an attractive place for young families.
That means affordable and available childcare, great facilities and amenities for recreation and yes - an outstanding school system.
Solving the jobs and housing dilemmas will be a key step in supporting that end goal.
Serious steps will bring measurable results and put more students back in ISD 696 classrooms. And Ely will be better off as a result.
