New elementary boundaries approved in D93

There are new boundaries for elementary schools in Bonneville School District 93.

In Wednesday’s special work session, the school board voted 5-0 in favor of moving boundaries for several schools. It took several motions and a change from the original scheme, but the board settled on boundaries that will go in affect this year.

Eighteen students attending Rimrock Elementary will now attend Falls Valley Elementary. They are actually located much closer to Falls Valley, and had been being bused over to Rimrock.

Hillview Elementary is at capacity, and there isn’t room to add a modular. So, 41 students will be moving from Hillview to Ammon Elementary.

The most debated decision involve moving 50 kids out of Iona Elementary. Iona is at capacity, and the board considered adding an additional modular that would provide two classrooms. However, that could cost at least $80,000. Another possibility was moving those students to Rimrock. Ultimately, the board decided those students will attend Bridgewater Elementary, which does have two available classrooms. This allows classes to stay smaller.

While this meeting did not include public comment, the district has heard from concerned parents.

“It’s not something we take lightly, we really do consider what our needs are. The children is who we are worried about most. They come first. However, we have to consider that we are growing, and we have to have rooms for them,” said Shalene French, director of human resources for D93.

The district will be contacting the parents of those who are affected, which is about 100 students. The failed $92 million bond included funds that would have been used to expand Iona Elementary.