Enrollment expected to drop slowly in District 196
by Jessica Harper
Thisweek Newspapers
Enrollment in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District is expected to decline over the next five years.
District officials conducted a survey that projects enrollment will fall by 67 students between 2012 and 2016. This will bring the total student population to 27,337.
“The district’s enrollment has been declining since 2004, but it has slowed,” said Kim Reis, student information supervisor for District 196.
Every school district’s state aid is largely based on enrollment. District officials said they are not concerned about funding as it relates to enrollment though since the drop in enrollment has been small.
The district’s enrollment is expected to decline in 2012 by 16 students (0.06 percent), which will bring the total to 27,420.
The district’s high school enrollment is expected to drop by 50 students (0.62 percent) by October 2012, bringing the total to 8,037.
Meanwhile elementary and middle school enrollment is expected to pick up slightly next school year.
Projections show enrollment in the elementary schools will increase by 89 students (0.76 percent) by October 2012, bringing the total to 11,566 students.
Middle school enrollment is expected to climb by 21 students (.035 percent) by that same time, bringing the total to 6,002.
District officials expect enrollment may pick up once development begins on the eastern and southern portions of the school district.
“At this point we can’t predict when that will happen,” Reis said.
E-mail Jessica Harper at:
jessica.harper@ecm-inc.com
