West Fargo's elementary schools will start a half hour earlier next year to accommodate a new busing plan.
Elementary school classes will start at 8:05 a.m. and end at 2:45 p.m. The elementary schools now start at 8:35.
The high school and middle school start times will change slightly, to 8:30 a.m. and 8:35 a.m., respectively.
West Fargo School Board members unanimously approved the plan Monday.
The district's busing routes are being restructured to more efficiently serve students, said Brad Redmond, transportation director.
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Under the new plan, students will be dropped off at their schools no sooner than 10 to 15 minutes before school starts, he said. All rural and in-town routes have been designed so elementary students and secondary students will not share the same buses.
In addition, fewer bus transfers will be needed, making it simpler for students.
The earliest pick-up time will be 7 a.m., Redmond said.
The new plan requires five additional drivers and a slight increase in hours for other drivers. Those additional expenses could cost the district as much as $112,000 per year. New buses already have been purchased.
"The benefits will outweigh any costs," Redmond said.
In other business, the School Board:
E Approved boundary changes for South Elementary School. Students in the area south of Interstate 94 and east of the Sheyenne River now will go to Westside Elementary. The change will only affect families who move into the area.
E Agreed to look at possible collaborative efforts with the Fargo School District, such as professional development and a magnet school.
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E Accepted bids to provide furniture for the new middle school. The total came to about $551,000. The board had budgeted about $730,000 for the furnishings. "We had extremely competitive bids," said Mark Lemer, business manager.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Erin Hemme Froslie at (701) 241-5534
