Enrollment numbers are in for county schools

By Trisha Marczak (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published 12:00 p.m., September 12, 2008

First day enrollment numbers at area schools came as a pleasant surprise to some districts and a disappointment to others.

A new online school program offered through Fergus Falls District 544 has made up for previous declines in student enrollment.

Roughly 190 students enrolled in iQ Academy this year — compared to the nine students who enrolled last year. Although iQ Academy works as an online school, allowing students to work from their homes throughout Minnesota, all those enrolled are considered to be students of the Fergus Falls District. Including the students brought in from iQ Academy, the Fergus Falls District is up 83 students.

The district does receive some state funding for students enrolled in the program, but does share revenue with iQ Academy. Fergus Falls Superintendent Jerry Ness says either way you look at it, it’s a plus for the district.

“We’re going to count those iQ Academy students and smile about it today,” Ness said.

Last year, the district lost 53 students throughout the school year, which is prompting Ness and other faculty members to strive to retain the number of students initially accounted for.

Battle Lake Superintendent Rick Bleichner says his district’s numbers are encouraging. Enrollment was expected to take a 23 person dip, but in the end only decreased by three students.

The Frazee-Dent District was expecting a decline in enrollment, with projected numbers set at 893 students. But to the district’s surprise, 938 students were enrolled and present on September 2 — the first day of school. That’s 45 more students than expected and a 32 student increase from last year. Which, according to Superintendent Deron Stender, “is a sign that the district is heading in the right direction.”

The Underwood School District has seen a steady rise in opening day enrollment numbers for three years in a row. This year, the district is experiencing an 18 student increase, with more students enrolling in kindergarten through sixth grade.

The Pelican Rapids District saw a slight decline, with 16 fewer students enrolled than last year. Superintendent Deb Wanek says smaller kindergarten enrollment numbers did not make up for the number of seniors who have recently graduated.

West Central Area Schools also experienced a decline, with 766 students enrolled for the 2008-09 school year, compared with the 782 students the district finished up with in May. In 2008, the district graduated 73 seniors. This year, the district is welcoming 64 kindergartners. That accounts for nine of the 16 students the district is down this year. The rest of the declines are spread out between the grades.

“Some (grades) are even, some we’ve gained, some we’ve lost,” said Superintendent Pat Westby.

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