[HCS]

I can definitely understand the argument for consolidation, but it sure does negatively impact the neighborhoods of the smaller schools. You can see that all over Harlan County. But sometimes, it's just the better option.

I've heard that old wives' tale for years. Schools go out after the communities start to struggle not the other way around.
Buckhorn has nothing around it and will still have nothing with or without a school.
Evarts and Cumberland struggled for years before the high schools closed. Population and school enrollment went down together. I doubt there is much of a difference now compared to 16 years ago other than the steady loss of people going back decades.
Browning Acres is doing fine without Cawood High School, but Rosspoint and the area around HCHS hasn't changed very much even with a new high school. The campus is nice, but the neighborhood is the same.