Bend-La Pine Schools boundary panel members sought

Bend-La Pine Schools is seeking volunteers to serve on a committee to review local school attendance areas, examine population forecasts and make a recommendation on adjusting school boundaries to the Superintendent in preparation for the opening of two new schools.

The committee members will include both staff and community members and all members will be asked to serve for two years. The first year, the committee will examine elementary school boundaries; the second year, the committee will review middle and high school boundaries. Boundaries for all schools within the district may be affected as Bend-La Pine Schools prepares for the opening of a new elementary school in north central Bend in the fall of 2019 and a new high school in southeast Bend in the fall of 2021.

“The committee will examine ways to adjust current boundaries to ease over-crowding and balance enrollment among our schools, while setting new attendance areas for our new schools,” said Chief Operations Officer Brad Henry.

Applications must be received by Sept. 17. Interested individuals can apply and learn more information about the boundary process at www.bend.k12.or.us/boundaries Hard copies of the application are also available at area schools.

The committee will meet on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. beginning Oct. 2 at the Education Center, 520 NW Wall St. in Bend. The team is expected to make a recommendation to Superintendent Shay Mikalson by January 2019 for the elementary boundaries, which will be implemented for the 2019-20 school year.