An article in the Global NY Times is reporting on the sad state of education affairs in rural Alaska.  According to the article more and more schools are closing due to decreasing attendance.  Alaskan regulations require schools to have ten or more students enrolled at the annual student counting time.  Reportedly, many schools are failing to meet this requirement. The closing of a school is always a tragic event, in my opinion.  In Alaska, this may be even more tragic that I can fathom.  The school is the heart, the lifeblood, of a community.  Once a school closes, the community is destined to decline and eventually cease to be.  This is precisely what is happening all across the beautiful state of Alaska.  As schools close, parents seek to educate their children and are forced to move to neighboring villages or islands. Our country was founded on rural education and one-room school houses.  I don't know the history for sure, but I feel certain that if we had had this same 10 student minimum, that our entire country would look differently.  I also feel certain that Mr. Obama's administration could find a few extra bucks to help support and maintain these schools during off-enrollments.  If rural Alaskans are forced to continue the exodus to larger, more settled areas, I fear that not only their history will be lost, but the people themselves.