It’s back to school today (Wednesday) for a lot of students in the Grand Forks School District. The K-to-9 crowd will hit the books for the start of the 2023-24 school year. Students in grades 10…11…and 12 won’t return until Thursday.
One year ago the opening week enrollment was just shy of 7,500. Superintendent Terry Brenner says he expects a similar headcount this year. Brenner says one area to watch is the kindergarten class which could be a little light. “When we look at names on paper we have kindergarten classrooms that are generally small at Phoenix…Lewis & Clark…and Lake Agassiz. We are going to watch those numbers and see how many kids will be in seats. Teachers…parents…and students will be thrilled if there are classroom sizes of 13 and 14. Pragmatically and financially that’s not a good situation.”
Brenner says two schools received new HVAC systems over the summer. While air conditioning is good to go at Viking – students and staff at Ben Franklin will have to wait for the arrival of a new air handling unit to arrive before the AC switch is turned on.
On the education front the district is adding a new science and social studies curriculum for K-12 students this school year.
Brenner says of the 800 or so certified staff the district is welcoming 112 new faces for the 2023-24 year. Brenner calls the large turnover a sign of the workforce times. He adds the district is in a better place personnel wise compared to one year ago. “We think by and large that’s the result of our school board going deep into the general fund to provide a compensation package that is not only competitive but might be leading edge compensation in our geographic area.”
Students in East Grand Forks won’t be back until after Labor Day.
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