Earliest school pairing would be 2025

The soonest consolidation between Carlton and Wrenshall schools would become official is the 2025-26 school year.

That was the timeline shared during a Jan. 18 meeting of the Wrenshall school board. Specifically, consolidation could take place July 1, 2025 — the start of the calendar year for schools across Minnesota.

“Barring any emergency circumstances, that’s the earliest you could legally consolidate,” said Wrenshall superintendent Jeff Pesta. “You’re at the point now where … the next step is a commitment from the boards, which would be non-binding at first.”

Both Carlton and Wrenshall hav...