BENTONVILLE (KFSM) -- A day after the Bentonville School Board approved rezoning the school district, Bentonville School District Superintendent Michael Poore discussed the changes with 5NEWS.
The school board approved the rezoning Tuesday (Feb. 16) after more than 600 new student enrolled in the district last year.
"A large number of young families are choosing for Bentonville schools to be their home," Poore said. "We have to respond to that."
The new zoning will affected about 50% of elementary school students. The rezoning will shift them to different schools to meet state-mandated standards for class sizes.
"I guarantee we didn't make everyone happy," Poore said Wednesday (Feb. 17).
But the superintendent promised all students would still receive a quality education, not matter what school they were assigned to.
"The thing we most pride ourselves in is making people really love their school and love their teachers," Poore said.
To keep up with rapid growth, the district is building a new high school in Centerton and a new elementary and middle school that is set to open by 2017. Lisa St. John, who is currently the principal at Apple Glen Elementary, will be a principal at the new elementary school.
"We want them to feel welcomed and feel like they are part of this entire process with us," St. John said.
Students at the new schools will help chose the school's name, colors and mascot.
With an average of 25 people moving to Bentonville each day, Poore said students and parents could expect another shift in the district down the road, possibly by 2020.
"If we add additional schools there will be changes in the attendance line again," he said.
The school district is sending out information packets to students and parents to make the zoning transition smoother.
Jeff Wasem, who is currently the principal at Old High Middle School, has also been appointed to be principal at the new middle school.