Kindergarten enrollment in the Hollister School District has
declined by more than 10 percent, and administrators are concerned
about a potential financial impact on the district.
Hollister – Kindergarten enrollment in the Hollister School District has declined by more than 10 percent, and administrators are concerned about a potential financial impact on the district.
The decreasing numbers could have negative implications for the district, which receives state funds based on student enrollment and attendance.
The decrease in kindergarten enrollment is the sign of a trend throughout the district. The Hollister School District has seen overall declining enrollment numbers since the building moratorium started in 2002. The enrollment decline ties in directly to a stagnant Hollister population, resulting from the moratorium and other economic factors, district Superintendent Ron Crates said.
“We’re hearing from the real estate community about the number of homes in foreclosure and we’re hearing that there’s no one moving in, and we’re concerned,” Crates said.
Crates said the district is taking the decline seriously. He implemented a hiring freeze around three weeks ago, when the first indication came that kindergarten enrollment might be even lower than expected.
“We’re concerned. We thought we’d have a few more come in than we did,” Crates said.
The district is currently reporting 606 kindergarten students enrolled at its elementary schools, Crates said. This marks a decrease from 2006-07 when there were 676 kindergarten students. It’s down nearly 17 percent from 2003-04, when enrollment was 729 students.
Crates also said the initial number may be a little high because it includes students who were enrolled but have not shown up for the first days of school. These students will not be dropped from enrollment figures until after the first week of school, and a more official estimate will be given at the end of the second week, Crates said. The final enrollment number may end up below 600.
This decrease in kindergarten students also has been reflected on the district’s overall enrollment numbers. The district’s enrollment has decreased from 6,280 students in 2002 to 5,962 in 2006, according to the California Department of Education.
Overall, the City of Hollister has seen sparse growth since 2002, affecting district enrollment.
Hollister gained 112 new residents in 2006, according to the state Department of Finance. This accounts for a 0.3 percent year-over-year population increase.
Enrollment numbers are important to schools because funding is received based on the average number of students in attendance.
Crates said he’s meeting with the school principals this week to analyze enrollment numbers. If enrollment stays the same, Crates said the hiring freeze would remain to help make up for the decrease in funds.
“There’s some positions that haven’t been filled based on our forecast. If the enrollment doesn’t come in, I’m just going to have to move people around,” Crates said.
The district initially reported that kindergarten enrollment appeared on track with the previous year, when enrollment began in March. The district did have a small increase in the attraction to its kindergarten program, due to the new dual immersion program.
“We have families in (the) dual immersion academy who came from private schools, so I’m pleased about that,” Crates said.
The two kindergarten dual immersion classes are at maximum capacity, with 20 students each, Delia Gomez, vice principal of the program, has said. The first grade classes are also full.
