New elementary school boundaries released
Kristen Jones
Farmer Staff Writer
McKenzie County Public School District No. 1 (MCPSD1) has adjusted the boundaries for its two elementary schools ahead of the 2023-24 school year.
Superintendent, Steven Holen, said Badlands Elementary, located near the Wild West Water Park in the heart of Watford City, had 50-80 more students than Fox Hills Elementary did during the last school year.
“The elementary attendance boundary changed slightly for 2023-2024 with an intended impact of about 70 additional students attending Fox Hills Elementary School and reducing the enrollment from Badlands Elementary School,” said Holen.
Fox Hills Elementary, which is located near the Rough Rider Center and Watford City High School, opened in September 2020, and was designed to handle a larger number of students than Badlands Elementary.
“If the boundary adjustment had not occurred, it was possible Badlands Elementary School would need to consider allocating all space, including music rooms, to classrooms or consider portable classrooms as enrollments of over 600 students causes major challenges for that building and additional sections to avoid large classroom sizes and other compromises,” said Holen.
The area that has changed schools is one bus route that was covered by Bus Route 24. This is primarily the area around Madison Heights, Pheasant Ridge, and homes in that area.
School officials encourage everyone with a child going to school this year to look at the school boundary map, which can be found on the school district’s website, to make sure they are preparing to go to the correct building.