Mandan Schools Expect Growth

MANDAN, N.D. (AP) — Mandan school district officials have chosen a calendar for next school year amid predictions of continued student body growth.

The Bismarck Tribune reports the Mandan School Board unanimously selected the calendar Monday that received 60 percent support from nearly 760 people who took an online survey. Students will start school on Aug. 26, 2015 and graduate on May 29, 2016.

Officials expect to have about 170 more students next year than the roughly 3,400 currently enrolled. The district is projected to grow by about 730 students over the next five years.

Superintendent Mike Bitz says the elementary schools will gain more students than the high schools. He says the middle school was built for 800 students but is expected to have over 900 by the 2018-2019 school year.

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