Three school districts in Rusk County say they are considering combining. If it happens, it would be the largest consolidation in the state, with a total of 1700 students.

A new feasibility study recommends the school districts of Ladysmith-Hawkins, Bruce and Weyerhaeuser merge into one.

Students come to school every day here at the Ladysmith High School to study and learn. And now the district leaders are doing the same thing, their homework: considering a consolidation.

Last July three school districts in Rusk County came together to commission a consolidation feasibility study. It looked at enrollment trends, programs, and other aspects of their school district.

One of the recommendations is to close down all of Weyerhaeuser’s schools and the Ladysmith Middle School. Ladysmith-Hawkins District Administrator Mario Friedel says, “I was somewhat surprised to hear that the middle school was recommended to be closed because that is one of the schools in the best condition.”

He also says he considers the middle school valuable because it also houses the town's post-secondary and vocational programs like dental assisting, CNA's and EMT certifications. However, he says he'd be happy to share these programs with surrounding districts, “We have a lot to offer our school district and I think to allow other students to partake in some of our programs -- would certainly be a plus.”

Parents like Connie Schalinske seem to agree with Friedel's spirit of sharing. She says, “Consolidation is something I think we all have to think about, that's an opportunity to work together with the other districts to see what are the benefits that each district can provide.”

James West's twins graduated from Ladysmith last year. He says with the economy right now, the district has to do something to better its situation, “You've got one of the poorest counties in the state with only 15,000 people and you've got four plus districts in the same county, it just makes sense to consolidate.”

However, exactly how the schools will consolidate and which district will concede the most is still up in the air.

Weyerhaeuser School Board President Ken Czekalski says seeing his district dissolve would be difficult. Friedel says, “Well it’s always unfortunate when you lose your school district, it doesn't happen very often.”

For now Friedel says the three districts still have a lot to discuss, but the idea of consolidation is certainly on the table.

The three districts will start working out financial details and talk more specifically about the future on February 18.