Two roses and a small thorn go to Karns City School Board as it begins discussions about declining enrollment and a proposed consolidation that might result.

The first rose is for introducing the issue without any sense of urgency. There’s no indication that Superintendent Eric Ritzert or any board faction has an specific plan in mind; they’re willing to carefully analyze their options before deciding which is best for the district. And they’re looking three years or more into the future.

“The issue is the declining population,” said Eric Ritzert, superintendent. “We have to look at what is the best option based on the data we have that is affordable for the taxpayer.”

In the past 15 years, the high school population has decreased by 25 percent, from about 1,000 students in grades seven through 12 in 2000 to about 750 students now. The declining enrollment is expected to continue.

The district encompasses 125 square miles in Butler, Clarion and Armstrong counties. It has three schools: Karns City High and two elementary schools, Chicora and Sugarcreek. The district closed a third elementary school three years ago.

One suggestion would put all students on one campus, either by converting the high school into a kindergarten through 12th grade building or constructing a second building on the high school campus. With a single campus, some school board members explained, more activities and services can be streamlined, such as staffing and busing, while also making improvements academically.

Such a plan, if implemented, would not happen for at least three years.

Ritzert says dwindling student population eventually will make it difficult to justify the expense of operating three underused campuses. “We’re not there yet,” he added. “I would say we’re several years down the road from that, but it will happen.”

The second rose is for the board’s apparent willingness to involve the entire community in the decision, and to pattern the school as a community center and gathering place for residents of all ages.

Ed Conto, assistant principal at the high school, put it this way: “I believe Karns City is the hub of this whole district. We don’t have a YMCA. We have little fire departments, a couple communities going, but really, we are the hub. And we really need to have a facility, I feel, that will help youth, school-aged children, young adults and senior citizens. We can benefit the whole community.”

It’s a thought-provoking approach. In a rural school district long on geography and short on development, schools ought to expand their role. There are overriding considerations such as security of the children and transportation for nonstudents who need it. But if the board is going to ask the community to support construction and renovation as part of consolidation, then the board should try to foster a sense of community ownership that would let residents actually use the schools they help pay to build.

Finally, the thorn — and it’s a little thorn at that. Why would the board schedule such a meeting on a Friday night? It’s the time of week when most people want to take a break from public meetings and debate.