Our View: School merger is a no-brainer

Did you hear that crowd roar in Carlton last Friday night? Funny how things work out when you just put heads together and do the logical thing. That’s what began to happen last fall when Carlton and Wrenshall football coaches saw they had a problem with fielding teams. Some years, the districts had to scrap seasons because they couldn’t fill out rosters.

So began the idea of the two long-time rivals sharing a football program. It was working with cross-country, so why not football?

It seems from the start that students were never the problem. They actually all get along. As often happens when it comes to school issues, it’s the parents who can make things sticky.

But that’s what was amazing about the sports pairings. It all made sense and there was little fuss from any side.

The football coaches worked hard to present a plan to the district school boards. There were some kinks to work out, but even on the official level, it all seemed to make sense and was thusly approved.

Do you see where we are going here?

Carlton and Wrenshall are on an obvious course to somehow merge districts and operate from a stronger base of students. It just makes sense. And district residents are showing they can overcome any old rivalries and support what’s best for students.

Right now, the sticking point is about where school buildings will be placed. Some would like everything on the current South Terrace campus. Wrenshall board members have been clear that they would agree only to a plan that included a school in Wrenshall, whether that’s a one- or two-site solution.

Added to all this is a bit of timing pressure applied through Carlton County’s interest in the Carlton high school campus so it can expand its next-door jail facility.

Something has to give. After a few engaging summer meetings with members from both school boards, it’s becoming clear that a two-site option for consolidation, for now, is the best way to go, given what each district can offer each other.

There’s a joint committee meeting Monday where the two-site option will be on the table.

What’s been missing in the current process is a public voice. But we’re sure that chorus is singing a tune like those roars from Friday night. It all makes sense, just make it work.

Neither district can afford to be at the mercy of up-and-down enrollment each year. It creates budget nightmares and, in the end, it’s the students who get shortchanged on a proper education.

They need to consolidate, and create a school district that draws and keep students.

It’s like taking a bandage off a hairy forearm slowly and, eventually, more painfully, or just ripping off the thing in a beat. It’s time to start ripping on this consolidation effort.

Imagine the apreciative roar from residents when district officials actually start down that path.