Finally, Duluth School Board members have broached the idea of a two-high school system. The community has been ahead of the School Board on this one, understanding that we ought to not sacrifice smaller elementary schools in order to keep open three high schools, despite declining enrollments.

Board member Mary Cameron, who supports high school consolidation, has said, "That discussion might be difficult for some board members, but I don't think it will be difficult for members of the community. I think they've come to understand it will happen anyway.''

Several board members acknowledged Wednesday that the district should begin preparing for a two-high school system. This new willingness is welcome. But it can't just be talk. Set deadlines and publish them for collecting data and making a decision.

And as discussion proceeds, don't get stuck in a 9-12 configuration for a two-high school system.

Many highly successful Minnesota high schools opt for a 3-year, grade 10-12 high school configuration, including Edina High School with 1,585 students, Hopkins High School with 2,065 students and Woodbury High School with 1,675 students. Putting ninth-graders in high school has nothing to do with education. It's been a way to fill our high schools.

Once we recognize that, then we can seriously talk about how quickly a two-high school system can happen.

Duluth's East High School has a building capacity of 1,650 students, Denfeld High School of 1,500 students. That's a total capacity of 3,150 students.

Today, in grades 10-12, the Duluth school district has 2,808 students (as of January 2002 actual enrollment). At any given hour, the Secondary Technical Center has about 300 students, who are not in the high schools.

Right now, we could put 1,404 10th through 12th graders at Denfeld and East. Currently, with the 9-12 configuration, East has 1,637 students; Denfeld, 1,243 students. If we go to a two-high school system, enrollments at East and Denfeld would be better balanced.

Today, the Duluth district has about 2,800 students in grades 7-9. With two high schools, we'd need three three-year junior highs: Woodland, Central and Morgan Park. Woodland, which today has 800 students but in the past has had up to 1,400 students, would take 1,100 students; Central would take 1,100 students; Morgan Park, which today has 542 students, would take 600 students.

Ordean Middle School would become an elementary school -- and would make a superb K-6 facility.

Board member Cameron is correct in believing that going to a two-high school system would allow the district to keep open more elementary schools (though some would still have to close to reflect a declining 5- to 10-year-old population).

Small, nurturing schools at the elementary level are better for kids and better for learning and teaching than larger, consolidated schools. Duluth's neighborhood and magnet elementary schools provide the small size that help children thrive. We ought to preserve as many of our neighborhood and magnet elementary schools as we can.

The fact is, high schools are the most expensive schools to operate in any school system. You'd have to close several elementary schools to achieve the savings you could get by closing one high school. If Duluth goes to a two-high school configuration, the district could save about $1 million a year. Contrast that savings with the expected savings of $99,000 for closing Birchwood Elementary School.

If residents fear that a two-high school system would further entrench east-west divisions in the city, then be sure to offer programs unique to each school, so students would have to travel and mix. Denfeld, for example, with its beautiful auditorium, could offer performing arts programs that students at East would want to take.

Board member Bob Mars said at Wednesday's "brainstorming'' session that, "I think we have to take the three high school discussion out of the box.'' Take it out of the box, make a decision and stand by it. Duluth does not have the school-age population and financial resources to sustain three high schools. We're ready for a two-high school system.