New Elementary Attendance Areas Approved

Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Shay Mikalson approved the location of the new Bend-area elementary school attendance areas on Jan. 29.

The attendance areas are meant to help with enrollment and prevent overcrowding at the schools. 
"These new elementary attendance areas will balance enrollment and reduce pressure felt at the district's overcrowded elementary schools while providing an attendance area for Bend-La Pine Schools' new 600-seat elementary school opening in the fall of 2019 in north-central Bend," said Superintendent Mikalson in a press release.

Mikalson said he based his decision off of community input, current enrollment statistics and reviewed recommendations from the Attendance Area Review Committee. He also met with staff and families. Along with the new attendance areas, Mikalson approved the option for current fourth graders to stay and complete their fifth grade year at their current school if they wanted.

According to Lora Nordquist, Assisstant Superintendent and Attendance Review Committee co-chair, about 800 children will be moving schools within the district This comes to about 30 to 130 students per school, Nordquist told the Source. The only schools not affected are Pine Ridge and Elk Meadow.

"I want to commend all of the members of the committee for their dedication to the process and desire to consider competing interests," Nordquist said in a press release. "Their efforts will benefit students and staff alike and provide them with teaching and learning environments that they deserve."