2 Minnesota districts are merging

The Carlton and Wrenshall school districts in Minnesota will consolidate after voters in the Wrenshall district approved the merger.

The Cloquet Pine Journal reports that 430 voted to consolidate, and 365 voted against it. That clears the way for the school systems to consolidate on July 1 as Carlton-Wrenshall Independent School District #100.

The Wrenshall district has about 340 students, and the Carlton district has about 300.

A joint at-large school board will govern the district. The first day for students is scheduled for Sept. 8.

Carlton will close its aging high school, and pre-K through fifth grade will be held at South Terrace Elementary School in Carlton. Middle and high school students will have their classes in what is now Wrenshall's preK-12 campus.

Each school board and Minnesota education officials had approved the consolidation, but a petition drive in Wrenshall collected enough signatures to force a public vote in that district.