How many high schools?
It's not too hard to figure out where one Warren County group stands on that question.
The 4 Schools 4 Warren County group has put its message out to the public at the Warren 4th of July Parade, on the Internet, and will have space at the Warren County Fair.
The Warren County School District Board of Directors recently requested a study on the specifications for the district with two high schools, rather than the existing four.
That was not a very popular decision with 4Schools.
The group is working to find ways to prevent the closure of any more high schools in the district.
"We're just interested in what's best for students," Linda Carlson said. "I'm not quite sure if that's what the school board has in mind."
Finding people who would keep in mind the best interests of the students and who are interested in running for school board as independents or in write-in campaigns is a goal of the group.
"We are looking for people who would like to run for school board," Linda Carlson said.
Although the group is working toward keeping the status quo in terms of the district's high schools, members have discussed options should the district opt to close one.
One option would be following the lead of Tidioute and creating a charter school.
"We've talked about it," Carlson said. "That would be a possibility. Tidioute is doing so well."
"We're looking into all options at this moment," she said.
The group meets in Lander, but that shouldn't discourage people who have more direct interest in other schools, Carlson said.
"A lot of people think we're just interested in Eisenhower High School; that's not true," she said. "We're interested in all the schools in Warren County. Even if it's not their school that's going to close, it will affect their child's education."
The group cites increased class sizes and longer travel times as some of the main educational problems with consolidating schools, with some expressing concerns about possible increases in discipline problems at larger schools.
Some members of the group are also concerned about the impact the loss of a school would have on a community.
"The apathy has got to stop," she said. "People think they can't beat city hall, so why fight."
"That's not true," Carlson said. "I want people in Warren County to wake up and stand up for what they believe in."
Carlson does not have a title within the organization and couldn't give contact information for officers of the group. "It's just a group of interested citizens," she said. "Nobody's actually in charge. Everybody does their part."
The organization meets at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday at the Lander United Methodist Church. Information about the group will be distributed at the pig roast in Lander on Saturday and at the Warren County Fair.