When schools close, the properties get sold off - but those properties - land and buildings, are a key part of the local community and it means a loss of green space.

Her's an idea - transfer school boards to the cities and counties to ensure oversight and that these bodies work together - school buildings can house libraries, daycare centres etc. and can serve as community hubs.

School boards would have 50% of their members elected by voters, and the rest appointed by the city/county and maybe another means would be to have parents of students or (children soon to enter school) elect people to serve on local parents boards.