Who goes to new Dickinson school?

Talk about it

Between February of 2009 and February of 2012 Dickinson Public Schools experienced an increase in enrollment from kindergarten to fifth grade of 279 students.

Pre-enrollment for the kindergarten class in 2013 is 194 students, which represents a 9.6 percent increase over last school year.

Information has been provided about the 11 classrooms that were added to the Jefferson and Lincoln Elementary buildings in 2011 as well as the plans for the school district to proceed with construction of an elementary school that will open in the fall of 2013.

It was reported that the preliminary schedule was to bid the project in March and conclude awarding of the project in April.

Due to various revisions and redesign of aspects of the building, this schedule has been delayed by about one month.

The schedule is to request bids on the project in the next two to three weeks. The bid opening is April 24 and the bid award will occur on April 26.

The architect indicates opening the building in fall 2013 is achievable.

The district administration has been discussing student assignment to the new elementary school for the past few months as we prepare for opening the facility.

The plan is to assign students living north of Interstate 94 to the facility. There are about 215 students there and new housing units will be available by then.

While we are not able to estimate the number of students, we believe, when combined with those currently living north of the interstate, these two groups will provide a basis for us to make staffing decisions and additional student assignments if necessary.

Additionally, we have discussed whether it is necessary to relocate students who will be in the fifth grade in 2013 for one year when the school opens. Our sentiment is that relocating the students for a year may not be necessary. Consequently, our intent is to open the facility as a kindergarten to fourth building and expand to kindergarten to fifth in year two.

This is the first school building north of the interstate for the Dickinson Public Schools and will be the first new building in the 21st century. As such, it will have attributes that are not present in our facilities.

The building will be heated and cooled with a ground source geothermal system. While this decision did add to the expense, we are confident the system will provide significant savings.

Additionally, the school will have enhanced security. Individuals who are visiting will be required to enter through the office.

Finally, the school site is designed with off-road access for buses, parents picking up children and deliveries. While the parent pick-up area will not be able to accommodate all vehicles, it is our hope this will alleviate traffic congestion.

The school board and school administration continue to review and discuss facility needs.

The district is required to conduct a long-range planning discussion this school year and this will occur following the regular school board meeting May 14.

Facility needs will be on that agenda and interested individuals are encouraged to attend and participate in this discussion.

Sullivan is the Dickinson Public Schools superintendent. Reach him at 701-456-0002 or douglas.sullivan@dickinson.k12.nd.us.

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