Superintendent reports enrollment drop to 616 students; district monitors ADMw impacts

Superintendent Don told the board the district’s current enrollment is 616 students, down from 655 at the same point last year and below the budgeted 632. "We are at 616 students. Last year at this time, we were at 655," he said.

Finance staff explained how the state uses ADMw (average daily membership weighted) and that the district gets the better of two years for current funding; that protection will shift for the next budget year. Staff said they will monitor membership, encumbrances and local revenue and can ask ODE to reopen estimated membership if they anticipate shortfalls to avoid having to return funds later.

Board members raised questions about the causes — including lower kindergarten classes — and staff said the trend is consistent with regional patterns; administrators emphasized local retention and engagement strategies to address the decline.