Williston Public School District #1

Williston Public School District #1’s Profile

Williston's economy is driven by agriculture and the oil industry. Williston is near the geographic center of the Williston Basin. Williston has seen a huge increase in population and infrastructure investments in the last several years with the expanding drilling (utilizing the 'frac' pumping technique) of oil in the Bakken Formation and Three Forks Groups. The State of North Dakota has a website detailing daily oil activity.

A major regional grain elevator is served by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad.

Preliminary data from a 2010 housing study indicates that Williston's population has grown by nearly 22 percent over the past decade, and the increase might be much higher. The city is in western North Dakota's booming oil patch, and adequate, affordable housing has become a concern. The 2010 census counted a population at 14,716, up from 12,680 in 2000. The number of people calling the city home likely is even higher - the latest estimate does not include people living in temporary housing. Factoring in people staying in hotels, man camps, and in campers around town, the number would be around 17,000.

The area continues to attract families who come from all across the United States to obtain employment. Many have left their previous location due to loss of employment, inability to support self/family or loss of housing and as they arrive in the area they find that employment is plentiful but affordable housing is hard, sometimes next to impossible, to secure. 
 
There were 5,255 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them.  The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.96.
 
Serving students within the city limits, but also some from the rural community who attend through open enrollment, Williston Public School District #1 consists of four elementary schools, one middle school, one high school and one alternative high school. The rural school district provides K – 8 with most of the high school students attending Williston High School.  Additionally, students from St. Joseph Catholic School, K – 6, merge into Williston Public School District at grade 7.  Williston State College offers duel-credit courses for local high school students.
 
Due to growth in the oil industry, our district and community are experiencing unprecedented growth. As of May, 2011, WPSD had an enrollment of 2364 students in K-12.  
 
As of June, 2011 we have 220 students enrolled for kindergarten in the fall.  In June, 2010 we had 139 kindergarten students enrolled.  As a result we will be opening 3+ additional kindergarten rooms.  A third fourth grade classroom will be opened as well. 
 
Our district has a veteran staff with eight retirees in 2010 and eight in 2009.  At the June meeting, the Board approved contracts for twenty one new teachers. We have a total of 185  K – 12 teachers. All teachers in the district are highly qualified.
 
All schools and the district have met the Accreditation Standards as set forth by the State of North Dakota.  An additional 1.0 FTE library media specialist and a 0.5 FTE elementary reading strategist will be added in the fall of 2011.
 
None of the district schools made AYP in 2010-11.  Wilkinson Elementary School is in Year One of program improvement.  Overall, reading scores are a concern at all schools.  Specifically, proficiency in reading by economically disadvantaged, students with disabilities, and ethnic groups are of the greatest concern.
 
Williston Public School District has developed partnerships with various community organizations including: Northwest Human Resource Center, Eckert Youth Home, Williston State College, Hess Corporation, Upper Missouri District Health Unit, NDSU Extension, Williams County Social Services, and Granite Peak Development Corporation.