April 4, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.
Schools see growth in student enrollment
A semiannual head count completed in September showed the student population locally rose from 840 at this time last year to 858 this year, a difference of 18 students.
The gain is modest but important, because it is the main reason the state will pump an extra $80,000 into the district's General Fund coffers for the 2017 school year, Superintendent Shawn Price said.
The General Fund, used for teacher salaries and benefits, is the district's largest fund. Its proposed 2017 budget calls for $5.39 million in General Fund spending, which is the bulk of the total budget of $8.56 million.
A vote to finalize the budget is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the FRHC Central Office board room, 9423 N. State Road 9.
Money is important, no doubt. But the monetary value of a rising head count may just have to take a back seat to what it might be saying about the quality of Hope Elementary School and Hauser Jr./Sr. High School.
"I don't have any data to back it up, but I really think our atmosphere and attitude are putting us in a great position," Price said. "We have great kids and a great staff, and I think word is getting around."
Price said it is too early to say whether the enrollment spike is the start of a new trend. He said that because enrollment had dropped in each of the last five years, the school system got used to declining state revenues.
Finally, there is reason for optimism.
But school officials still don't want to get used to any extra money that may or may not come from one year to the next.
Price said the district would use its $80,000 for basic teaching and learning. In fact, the infusion helped the district finalize better-than-normal raises effective immediately for teachers, administrators and non-certified staff.
"I hope it keeps up," he said.[[In-content Ad]]
