Public school enrollment has grown for the 15th straight year in Bismarck and for the 11th consecutive year in Mandan.
The growth has created significant challenges for both school districts as they start classes this week. Roughly half of Bismarck's elementary schools are at or near capacity. Mandan also doesn't have enough elementary school space and added a temporary portable facility to a school this year.
"We're excited that Mandan's growing, but it presents challenges," Mandan Public Schools Superintendent Mike Bitz said.
The district saw 140 more students in kindergarten through 12th grade when classes started Thursday, with the largest increase in the elementary schools. For years, enrollment has been outpacing projections, and it's an issue officials will have to address, Bitz said.
"When we got the projections, I thought they were aggressive and I didn't think we'd get there, and they've proven to be low," he said.
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An eight-classroom addition at Red Trail Elementary School is being built to help alleviate growth at the school, but the addition won't be done until next year.Â
Mandan this year also placed a four-room portable facility at Fort Lincoln Elementary School. However, the city permitted it to be there only for four years, according to Bitz. That means officials will have to come up with a long-term solution.
"I think our big challenges right now are at the high school level and at the elementary school level," he said. "We have to make some big decisions."
Bismarck Public Schools officials also have to solve overcrowding in some of the district's elementary schools.
"We definitely have some space issues at the elementary level, especially if enrollment continues at this rate,"Â Bismarck Public Schools Superintendent Jason Hornbacher said.
Classes started Wednesday in Bismarck, and the district gained 273 students and is "still climbing," Hornbacher said.
Bismarck gained the most students at the district's three middle schools. Enrollment projections presented in August were comparable to first-day enrollment.
Hornbacher said a facilities study will be completed to identify where space is needed and help officials make a decision on how to respond to the growth.