West Fargo boundary changes have some parents concerned

• Boundary Changes

Many boundaries will stay the same, but some will indeed change. With a school district growing by more than 300 students a year, no decision is ever an easy one. Tonight the district voted unanimously to move forward with the changes.

Talk about it

Some boundary changes will most likely be coming to the West Fargo School District, and not everyone is happy about it. After months of lengthy meetings between a group of parents, teachers, administrators and board members, the lines have been drawn.

Many boundaries will stay the same, but some will indeed change. With a school district growing by more than 300 students a year, no decision is ever an easy one. Tonight the district voted unanimously to move forward with the changes.

Amy Sahli – Parent/On Changes Committee: “It was tricky to get the situations and the boundary lines so it was fair to every school and that it was good for the staff the students and the parents.”

I-94 will become the dividing point for the new high school built out of the old Sheyenne 9th grade center. Those to the north of the interstate will attend West Fargo High School.

With West Fargo expanding mostly to the south, many of the schools will be well below capacity with room for growth. For example, if the new high school opened next year, it would have only 534 students, compared to more than 1,400 at West Fargo.

Dr. David Flowers – West Fargo Superintendent: “They were looking for stability, for boundaries that would serve us for the longest period of time, but in a dynamic district like ours, there could be changes down the road.”

There will no changes to the Eastwood, Horace or Harwood boundaries. The new Freedom Elementary school will be bound by I-94, the Sheyenne River, 52nd Avenue South and County Road 17.

But not everyone is excited about the changes. These three women, all of whom live in the Buena Vista mobile home park, will see their students go from South Elementary to L.E. Berger.

Terri Van Dyke – Upset with Changes: “I'm feeling very left out, not considered. I feel let down. I don't feel my daughter will get the education she needs.”

Dr. David Flowers: “There's no perfect solution of course, anytime you change neighborhood school boundaries, there will be some that like the boundaries and some that are concerned. That's normal and understandable.”

The changes would take effect this fall.

Next up is a secondary committee consisting of administrators, parents and coaches has been formed to plan the phasing in of activities and athletic teams. Their recommendation is due to the board at the March 1st meeting.

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