The fight against vouchers has made unique allies of rural Republicans and urban Democrats. Why is that? We turn to Dr. Michelle Rinehart, superintendent of Alpine ISD, to help us understand the rural perspective. Alpine is a west Texas town of about 5,000 residents and Alpine ISD educates about 1,000 students–or Bucks as they proudly refer to themselves. Dr. Rinehart helps us understand how their local schools foster a sense of identity and belonging–loyalty to Buck Nation is a staple of their community. She also explains how the district is the largest employer in town and fills in other important gaps like childcare. Amazingly, with grant funding, they were able to open a childcare center this year. That childcare center serves district employees and also helps the town attract medical professionals to their local hospital because they are no longer a childcare desert. Dr. Rinehart beautifully explains the broader role of schools in small-town communities that make them unique and yet she also speaks to the universality of the importance of public education for all of us. 

Find Dr. Rinehart and Alpine ISD here.

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