Declining school enrollment will challenge boards

Budgeting is always a tough task, but for local school leaders the task is even more daunting in the wake of the district’s largest decline in enrollment in the past five years.

The Clear Lake School District has reported its 2014-15 certified enrollment as 1,209.5.  Enrollment for 2013-14 was 1,236.7, meaning a loss of just over 27 students.  The 2.2 percent drop will amount to a loss of approximately $174,000 in state funding next school year (based on current funding levels).

“There are many factors that impact enrollment and this drop is the largest we have had in the past five years,” said Superintendent Anita Micich.   “Clear Lake has been steady or gaining students.  However, we are hopeful that this will change with the addition of new business and families moving to our community.”

The Clear Lake School Board has already discussed the likelihood it will see an increase in enrollment when employees for the new Fortune 100 company currently building in the city’s Industrial Park are hired.  If enrollment increases significantly in the elementary grades the Board may consider re-opening the former Sunset School as an early childhood center.

According to numbers provided by Elementary Principal Mike Barkley, Clear Creek currently serves 717 students, up from the 710 which started the 2014 school year in August.  Enrollment at the school building in August 2013 was 701.

Numbers are down at the Middle School, according to Principal Steve Kwikkel. Despite 18 new students in 2014-15, there are now 281 six, seventh and eighth grade students in the district.  Last year there were 293 students at the Middle School. - Read More Via e-Edition