Enrollment down in Wahkiakum SD

Fewer students are attending Wahkiakum schools this fall compared to last school year, school board members heard at a Tuesday night meeting.

Wahkiakum School District Superintendent Bob Garrett explained that he had based this year’s budget on an enrollment of 432 for this fall. That figure came from class sizes at the end of last school year and an estimate of 30 kindergarteners. However, this month’s enrollment is only 403.4 full time equivalent (FTE) students.

Garrett noted different factors contributed to the decrease: Some families have moved. Others are choosing different educational opportunities. Last year there were two students enrolled at Lower Columbia College through the Running Start program; this year there are eight. Six students have enrolled in online education programs offered by other school districts. This year’s sophomore class has decreased in size by 10 students.

Fewer enrolled students means leaner state funding. The state funds the district by projected enrollment figures in the first semester and actual fall enrollment for the second semester.

“We as a staff will have to carefully manage our expenditures,” said Garrett, adding “as staff members retire, we may have to consider different grade configurations in the future. The good thing is we’ve improved our fiscal reserves over the last several years.”

The 29-student kindergarten class did not see a drop from projected enrollment, said Elementary Principal Theresa Libby. The class was split into two beginning September 10.

The district has had three applicants for the half-time position and will interview next week. Garrett said he advertised it as a semester-length position only. If enrollment drops, the classes may merge into one for the second semester.

This year, middle schoolers assigned detention will serve their time during the lunch hour. Lunch takes away the students’ social time, said Libby, whereas after-school detention functions as a punishment for parents who rely on busses to transport their children home.

Garrett, Libby, and High School Principal Stephanie Leitz met with Northwest Accreditation Commission representatives earlier this month.

“We are definitely going to be participating in the accreditation process, “ said Garrett. He added, “there’s no longer any question. All three of us administrators are excited about it.” Once the process begins, it will take about a year, said Garrett.

Parents of two high school student athletes attended the meeting to speak to the board in executive session regarding what Garrett described as an athletic training code issue.