Yeah, even here in rural Idaho, the restaurants are closing down because they cannot hire help. I do not really blame people, all of us try to get the job that pays the best and now, being a parasite at the government trough is what pays the best.
As for the school... Do you remember when I was running a campaign to elect a new Sheriff? After a deputy shot and killed a local rancher? Yeah... Half the town is related to the Sheriff I tried to unseat, and half of them work at the school. I honestly think there was a decision made to get us out of "their" school. Small towns have a dark side, ya' know!