There are currently seven high schools in Lawrence County.
More than likely, that number will decrease when school starts back in the fall.
"It's not a matter of consolidation for academics, not a matter of this is what I prefer or the school board prefers, this is a situation we have to address because if the economic situation stays the way it is, we truly cannot operate seven high schools," says Lawrence County Schools Superintendent Heath Grimes.
Grimes says he realizes eliminating certain schools means those communities lose alot of their identity. Communities like Mount Hope.
Mount Hope is a very proud community in western Lawrence County. And the possibility of losing their high school has a lot of folks who live here extremely upset.
"They're very proud of the tradition, the history of this school and what it means to this community and the county. So I don't think there is very few at all that would be in favor of consolidation on any grounds. They're very proud of this area," says resident Ricky Watt.
But Mount Hope could be on the chopping block, just like the other six high schools in the county.
Grimes tells WHNT not only will consolidation probably become reality here, as many as 50 teachers in the school system could lose their jobs as well.
"I've been let go by this school system. It's a very difficult situation. I understand it's somebody's livelihood. I understand it their family and it's the worst thing I can imagine doing in this job is telling somebody that they'll have to be released because we don't have the funds," Grimes says.
But right now, Grimes says school administrators have no other choice.
"We will have to close our doors or we will have to have state intervention because we simply can't continue the way we are."
A choice Grimes says no school system ever wants to face.
Lawrence County school officials have contacted a federal judge for permission to consolidate.
The judge will inspect all seven high schools and then make his recommendation to the Lawrence County School Board.
Board members will then make personnel changes based on the judge's recommendation.
More than likely, that number will decrease when school starts back in the fall.
"It's not a matter of consolidation for academics, not a matter of this is what I prefer or the school board prefers, this is a situation we have to address because if the economic situation stays the way it is, we truly cannot operate seven high schools," says Lawrence County Schools Superintendent Heath Grimes.
Grimes says he realizes eliminating certain schools means those communities lose alot of their identity. Communities like Mount Hope.
Mount Hope is a very proud community in western Lawrence County. And the possibility of losing their high school has a lot of folks who live here extremely upset.
"They're very proud of the tradition, the history of this school and what it means to this community and the county. So I don't think there is very few at all that would be in favor of consolidation on any grounds. They're very proud of this area," says resident Ricky Watt.
But Mount Hope could be on the chopping block, just like the other six high schools in the county.
Grimes tells WHNT not only will consolidation probably become reality here, as many as 50 teachers in the school system could lose their jobs as well.
"I've been let go by this school system. It's a very difficult situation. I understand it's somebody's livelihood. I understand it their family and it's the worst thing I can imagine doing in this job is telling somebody that they'll have to be released because we don't have the funds," Grimes says.
But right now, Grimes says school administrators have no other choice.
"We will have to close our doors or we will have to have state intervention because we simply can't continue the way we are."
A choice Grimes says no school system ever wants to face.
Lawrence County school officials have contacted a federal judge for permission to consolidate.
The judge will inspect all seven high schools and then make his recommendation to the Lawrence County School Board.
Board members will then make personnel changes based on the judge's recommendation.
