Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
After a month of school, School District 55 is reporting an enrollment decline of 55 students from last year at the same time.
As of the first of October, District 55 had 2,366 students, down from 2,421. District officials were uncertain of the earliest enrollment numbers this year, claiming that computer software returned anomalous reports.
“They are probably more accurate than last month,” Supt. Larry Horton said of the numbers, although the reports may still be somewhat questionable. District staff is working with the county Education Service District to get those questions answered.
The first reports were definitely way off, he said, but now “we think it’s close to being accurate.”
Horton said enrollment has declined during six of the seven years he has been with the district and he’s not happy about it.
“I would like to see the trend reversed,” he said.
The declines overall have been small, with enrollment at nearly 2,500 when Horton came to work in District 55, he said.
Right now, the district is receiving $6,064 per student, Business Manager Kevin Strong said. That kind of enrollment decline will represent approximately $334,000 in decreased revenue.
The decline doesn’t affect the district immediately, though, he said. The state pays based on either last year’s enrollment numbers or this year’s, whichever is higher.
The important enrollment change in terms of this year’s funding is the increase in students from 2006 to 2007. At this point in the year, the district had an increase in enrollment last year, from 2,398 in 2006 to 2,421 in 2007. Enrollment for the 2007-08 school year peaked in October.
The state determines enrollment based on averages from different points in the school year.
The declining enrollment and uncertain economic outlook “gives us reason to be concerned,” Strong said. “We are looking at ways to improve efficiency and reduce expenses with minimal impact to students.
“We’re preparing a contingency plan in case the economy continues to remain weak and enrollment continues to decline.”
The district’s enrollment information shows the largest classes are at Crawfordsville, a third- and fourth-grade blend; Hawthorne, sixth grade; and Oak Heights, two fifth- and sixth-grade blends. Each has 30 students.
Schools that grew this year include Oak Heights, from 309 students to 334; Crawfordsville, from 88 to 94; and Sweet Home Junior High, from 360 to 367.
The district has 1,207 boys and 1,159 girls.
Sweet Home Student Populations
School 2008-09 2007-08
Crawfordsville 94 88
Foster 286 296
Hawthorne 304 333
Holley 94 104
Oak Heights 334 309
SH Charter School 114 120
Junior High 367 360
High School 773 811