- The Boone County School Board unanimously approved Scenario 1 to address overcrowding at Ballyshannon Middle School, which is operating at 110% capacity and projected to reach 138%.
- Several neighborhoods will be reassigned to Camp Ernst Middle School and Gray Middle School, both of which have available capacity.
- Current 6th- and 7th-grade students can remain at Ballyshannon through a grandfathering option, while affected families will receive application information through district communications.
Several students in the Boone County School District will be reassigned to different schools to help alleviate overcrowding at Ballyshannon Middle School.
During a Boone County School Board meeting on March 12, the legislative body unanimously approved a recommendation from the district’s recently formed ‘Demographics and Growth Committee’ to adopt ‘Scenario 1’ of the redistricting plan.
Data from a January school board meeting showed that Ballyshannon Middle School was operating at 110% capacity, with projections indicating that this figure could rise to 138% if current growth trends continue. Ballyshannon is among the fastest-growing neighborhoods in Boone County, as noted in the presentation by Pupil Personnel representative Kimberly Hutson.
Furthermore, Hutson’s presentation showed that Camp Ernst Middle School was functioning at 53% capacity following a recent expansion, indicating that the school building could accommodate additional students.
To address this issue, the school formed the ‘Demographics and Growth Committee’ to explore the possibility of redistricting a number of students. After two public forums held in February, the committee determined that Scenario 1 was the best option moving forward.
According to documents provided by the school board, neighborhoods such as Alson Place, Carters Mill, Castlewood Estates, Creekside, Gunpowder Trails, Hawks Landing, Hearthstone, Longbranch Estates, Pebble Creek, Pleasant Hill, Stillwater, and nearby non-subdivision areas will be reassigned to Camp Ernst Middle School.
Meanwhile, Mary Lou Estates, Teutonia Estates, Fairview (west of Big Bone), Castle Bluff Estates, and surrounding non-subdivision areas will be transferred to Gray Middle School in Union.
Scenario 1 also allows current 6th- and 7th-grade students to remain at Ballyshannon Middle School through a grandfathering option, while offering a school-choice alternative. However, families selecting these options must arrange their own transportation, submit a formal request and ensure students maintain good academic, behavioral and attendance records.
The changes will take effect in the fall of 2026.
Chris Brauch, the director of Pupil Personnel, informed the board that families affected by the situation will get an email detailing the next steps. This email will be sent through Infinite Campus Messenger, the district app, and the district website. Additionally, letters will be sent to the impacted elementary and middle schools to ensure families are aware of their options.
Board member Jesse Parks commented on the redistricting process, telling the audience and other board members that it is often challenging but that sometimes difficult decisions must be made to better serve the district.
“Redistricting is very difficult, specifically in Boone County because we all care so much about our neighborhood schools,” school board member Jesse Parks said. “They’re a part of our community. It’s why many people, including myself, bought their homes, and so I’m with that mentality 100%. There’s always a dividing line which puts someone else on the other side of the line. It can’t be helped in some cases – there’s gotta be a line somewhere.”
However, Parks said he took exception to remarks made during the redistricting process, specifically those that implied Camp Ernst Middle School was academically inferior to other schools in the district.
“All of our schools are equally as wonderful and deserve our community’s attention, even if our students don’t go there currently,” Parks said. “I would just encourage our community to take an interest in all our community schools.”
Before the vote, several Ballyshannon Middle School students addressed the school board, expressing their preference to stay at the school for academic, social and extracurricular reasons.
Parent Lori Rose also addressed the board, expressing concerns that redistricting could disrupt students’ social connections by separating them from their existing friend groups.
“It just seems living such a small group of students from their established school community is unnecessary,” she said.