By William Croyle
Enquirer contributor

BURLINGTON - Kentucky's third-largest school district is redrawing the lines - again. Superintendent Bryan Blavatt said he's seen enrollment in Boone County Schools grow 25 percent - from about 12,000 students to nearly 15,000 - since he became superintendent six years ago.

That growth, in the state's second-fastest growing county, has made school redistricting an annual event.

About 200 students at Erpenbeck and Ockerman elementary schools will change schools next year, with about three-fourths of those students going from Erpenbeck to Yealey Elementary School.

"We've been proactive in trying to keep up, but Erpenbeck grew more than we thought because of all the development out there," said Blavatt.

Blavatt said the district welcomed 800 new students last fall, enough to fill a brand-new school.

Erpenbeck opened in 1998 with about 650 students. There were 850 to start the 2001-2002 school year, and more than 900 now.

Blavatt said the redistricting solves the elementary school problem for now, but more changes will be needed to keep up with the growth.

"Our next project will probably be an addition to Conner Middle School, and we'll have to build a new elementary school in two to four years," said Blavatt. "We will also have to add to Ryle High School soon, which should put us in good shape in our high schools until 2010."