RHINELANDER - We hear over and over again that schools are struggling.

That's true in the Rhinelander school district - and the struggle has reached a point where one school may have to close.

Northwoods Community Secondary School holds classes for its 67 students at Rhinelander High School.

But the district faces a $3 million budget shortfall.

NCSS is on the chopping block because closing it would save the district about $400,000.

But former NCSS council president Mike Michalak said that's a miscalculation.

"What people don't understand is that each student within the school system is worth on average $9,200," he said. "If we were to lose all the students in the charter, you're losing over $600,000 because these students have freedom of choice to go to school someplace else."

The budget problem isn't just threatening this school.

Allco-curricular activities, including sports, plus electives and eight full-time core teachers could also be cut to fill the budget gap.

We'll have more on how the school board is dealing with the budget problem Monday.