School board discusses growth

by Mary Le Arneal
Published 12/17/25

How do we want to grow?

That was a question the North Bend Central Board of Education spent time discussing and contemplating at its Dec. 8 meeting.

The options were to grow by admitting out-of-district students into the school or have more families move into the district. The board acknowledged that the preschool is already crowded.

Superintendent Patrick Ningen asked if new classrooms should be looked at or a whole new building.

Right now there are 44 students in two classrooms of kindergarten, 30 in-district, eight out-of-district students and three out-of-district but who have siblings already in North Bend Central giving them priority.

The third and fourth grades are so large they have had three classrooms since kindergarten.

Board member Amy Williams encouraged all board members to go and see the classrooms at the elementary school.

“Seeing is more meaningful than the numbers,” Williams said.

This discussion was brought up with the student enrollment capacity resolution. Another topic was if students could be allowed to go to preschool or kindergarten two years. Decisions were tabled until the January meeting.

The board discussed digital signs at both school sites. The one at the high/middle school needs updating and adding one to the elementary was brought up. Two companies submitted costs and designs to the school, American Lift & Sign and Love Signs. The signage was to be for digital signs at both campuses. The cost ranged from $75,000 to $95,000 between the two companies that gave quotes. The topic was tabled with more information needed before making a decision.

The board began with North Bend Central Foundation chairman Jim Havelka recognizing Mark Flamme for his 16 years service on the NBC Foundation. A plaque was presented to Flamme.

With its replacement about to be built, the old football concession stand was moved to the northeast side of the practice football fields, outside the arboretum trail. It is being used for storage of sports equipment.

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