The West Central School Board members received enrollment information during their meeting on Thursday night.
Superintendent Don Street said the official count was taken on Friday, Sept. 15.
“Our current enrollment is 775 students which is down from last year,” explained Street. Fifty-six of those students live outside of our school district.”
Street says the administration is always looking at enrollment numbers as it drives funding for the corporation. He noted that the board was expecting a lower number as the number of kindergarten students had dropped.
Street has been analyzing Pulaski County population figures which may explain the decrease in enrollment.
“Our population in Pulaski County is lower than what it was in 1910 and very similar to 1920. The difference is the median age of people currently is much higher than what it was in those years. With that median age increase, we know our number throughout the county will decrease. From the trend data we’re seeing, we believe that our kindergarten enrollment will be up next year.”
Street added that the corporation “must be doing something right” for 56 students to enroll at West Central Schools who live outside of the district.
