Enrollment numbers for the county’s public schools forecast an
abysmal outlook for most schools.
Flat growth numbers for local schools mean no increase in
funding while costs continue to climb.
Enrollment numbers for the county’s public schools forecast an abysmal outlook for most schools.
Flat growth numbers for local schools mean no increase in funding while costs continue to climb.
“It’s about flat growth and flat revenue – that we’re not sure won’t actually decrease – with increases in costs. That will definitely cut into programs,” said Tim Foley, county superintendent of schools. “We’re looking very carefully. I don’t have a lot of positive things to say. It’s not an optimistic forecast.”
Overall, the county experienced an increase of 44 students during the first week of school compared to the same time last year.
The increase is a small consolation when the county is used to five-percent growths of around 400 and 500 students from the late 90s, Foley said. This year’s growth comes in a little over a third of a percent.
Hollister’s building moratorium is the culprit of the flat growth, according to Foley. The moratorium was instituted in 2002 due to a lack of infrastructure facilities that caused a sewer leak. The state regional water board is not expected to lift the moratorium until at least 2006.
The county’s flat growth affects funding based on student attendance when California is already strapped for cash.
“We would have liked to see growth to give them (schools) a cushion,” Foley said.
While funding per student has gone down among the sources of revenue, costs like medical insurance have increased.
The only bright side in the county is that San Benito High School saw a jump of 201 students this year, mostly due to its new alternative education program that offers independent study. This brought in homeschooled students, students on interdistrict transfers to similar programs and students attending San Andreas Continuation High School.
On the other hand, this was a major cause of a drop in enrollment of 69 students at San Andreas.
“(SBHS’s independent study program) definitely has an impact on the county’s alternative programs. We’re going to have to look at ways to stabilize our programs,” Foley said.
Despite the drop, Foley expects enrollment at San Andreas to increase as the year progresses and students are referred to the continuation site.
The Aromas-San Juan Unified School District went from 1,361 to 1,287, a drop of 74 students. Most of the students have moved, while some have transferred to private schools, according to Superintendent Jackie Munoz.
“We’re really going to have to analyze the budget. We’re going to have to make some hard decisions,” she said. “With declining enrollment and declining revenues, we’re going to have to be cautious to stay solvent.”
Other drops in attendance include Hollister School District – from 6,288 to 6,263, a decrease of 25 students; and North County Joint Union School District – dropping 15 students from 533 to 518.
Small schools are in a more precarious situation when hit with flat growth because of their funding set up. Schools like Cienega, Jefferson, Bitterwater-Tully, Panoche and Willow Grove are funded based on increments of 25 students, which determines teacher staffing, among other things, Foley said. Bitterwater and Willow Grove are on the bubble with 25 and 27 students, respectively.
“Bitterwater is active in recruiting kids in King City. Willow Grove, to my understanding, has had kids move back into the district (since the numbers were compiled). They’re breathing a sigh of relief,” Foley said. “We just have to monitor everything constantly.
