Enrollment drops to 1,495, down about 360 students in three years

What happened

The 2026-27 budget hearing packet shows enrollment of 1,495 in September 2026, down from 1,858 in 2023-24 and 119 fewer than last year. Only 85 kindergartners are enrolled compared with 130 twelfth graders. The extra money the district earns from open enrollment has shrunk from about $1.46 million in 2023-24 to about $78,000 in 2026-27.

Why it matters to families

Most school money follows students. Fewer students and less open enrollment income put pressure on staff, programs and buildings. The district held its tax levy flat at about $7.96 million.

The evidence

The budget hearing packet lists total enrollment by year (1,858; 1,740; 1,614; 1,495) and says the number of students entering is much lower than the number graduating. Its open enrollment table lists net revenue of $1,464,389 in 2023-24 and $78,291 in 2026-27. The general fund budget is $25,777,236 and the projected mill rate is $6.45.

The source