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(NewsDakota.com) The first day of classes at Oakes Public Schools for the 2015-2016 school year began Wednesday with 499 students enrolled in grades K-12 according to the school district’s superintendent Josh Johnson.

For the fourth consecutive school year the district has added a third section of kindergarten due to higher enrollment in the elementary school.

Meanwhile, progress continues on the centralized office, library remodel and expansion project. Construction began on May 26 and completion of the project is expected by February of next year.

“We are excited about the work that has been completed thus far and look forward to moving three school offices into one centralized area and also being able to utilize our expanded and remodeled library.” said Johnson. “The safety of our students continues to be the first and foremost priority for us in the district and plans have been made to safely transition our students and between the two buildings during the construction period.”