COLUMBUS, Neb.— The City of Columbus is experiencing a population increase, five new developments like this one are popping up to house new residents and the schools are expecting an increase as well.

“Really beginning with next fall through the next five school years, we expect to see at least 350 new students and probably as many as 550.” Superintendent Dr. Chip Kay said.

Columbus Schools is hoping to pass a $43.6 million school bond to build a new building. Right now fourth graders are in the elementary schools and fifth graders are in Columbus Middle School, which has the largest number of students for a middle school in Nebraska.

“But right now four of our five elementary buildings are at capacity, so any increase in elementary would have to go to one of our elementary schools and there’s only a few seats left. So we already don’t have the space for K-4 and our middle schools already at capacity at over 1200 kids.” Kay said.

The new school would change that.

Right now it’s just a parking lot on the north side of the middle school, but in a few years the school system hopes it will be the location of the new $43 million  intermediate school. Housing the fourth and fifth graders to make room for more.

The idea came after looking at other districts like Norfolk Public Schools and Brookings Public Schools in South Dakota, who have separated grade levels into new buildings.

North Park Elementary Principal Sarah Bird said that while the transition would be different, it would make the move easier for students

“Like right now when we talk about the transition, those students are moving to a really large school with 1200 students and that is scary.” Bird said.

The school bond will be on the ballot in November, asking the community to support the new school and the future of the students in Columbus.

“I think it’s awesome to have all this development and it’s awesome to have lots of people wanting to come to Columbus, I think that’s great for the culture and the growth of Columbus,” Centennial Elementary Principal Andy Luebbe said. “But it also comes with challenges and I think that’s one of the challenges is finding the support. But I think Columbus is a community that has supported that in the past and I’m excited to see the community that will support our kids going forward.”