When Tamara Uselman was hired in 2011 to be the new Bismarck School Superintendent, she was not expecting to see the rate of growth the area has seen.
"When I was hired, there was talk that some day the district may buy land to build a future high school," said Uselman. "But I think with all of the economic health in North Dakota, a healthy, vibrant economy, it drove enrollment growth faster than anyone was predicting."
After years of declining enrollment, the Bismarck school district is growing. And Uselman says that growth is expected to continue for a while.
"We have more than 350 students enrolled this year compared with last year, Uselman said. "We're already short-spaced."
The district is building a new high school and elementary schools. Uselman says that comes with challenges.
"First, to make sure we have a safe space," said Uselman. "That's the number one priority. Next, we need to have kids in conditions where they can learn. And both of those things are expensive. So we also need to be mindful of budget."
Like its public counterpart, Bismarck Catholic schools are seeing enrollment growth.
"We're looking at a 13 percent growth, about 125 new students," said Dr. Rick Kruska, the superintendent of the Light of Christ Catholic Schools of Excellence – which includes three grade schools and St. Mary’s Central High School, which now has seventh and eighth graders.
"This makes us the largest non-public school system in the state of North Dakota," said Kruska. "We are nearing the top 10 of all school systems in North Dakota, public and non-public."
Kruska says growth also means the schools will need more space. He says two architectural firms have been hired to look at space needs. Kruska says a feasibility study is underway.
"Our financial group is looking at what kind of funds we think we can raise," said Kruska. "That will drive what kind of facility we can get."
"We definitely need room for a stand alone middle school," Kruska said. "We definitely need room for a high school. And the elementary schools will be looking at expanding their facilities. We're not quite defined yet on what school or schools that will be."
With the addition of seventh and eighth grade, there are 475 students attending classes at St. Mary’s. Kruska says enrollment projections show total Catholic school enrollment may top 2000 students by 2017.
