School population drops slightly

For the first time in more than a decade, enrollment dipped slightly in the Carson City School District and at Carson High School -- not that you'd notice.

"You can't tell," said Stephanie Kidd, 17, a senior at Carson High School. "The halls are so packed."

Districtwide, there are 33 fewer students enrolled in Carson City schools this year than at the same time last year. Enrollment at Carson High School dropped by 18 students to 2,576.

Nevada's official count day occurs on the third Friday of every September and determines the amount of money each school district receives from the state.

This year, schools will receive $4,873 per pupil.

Because kindergartners count as 6/10 of a student, Carson City's school enrollment officially dropped by 19 students.

"Nineteen units is really immaterial," said Bob Anderson, financial director. "It's not significant at all."

Also, the state has a "hold harmless" statute where schools with a drop in enrollment one year will receive the same amount of money they received the previous year.

The largest drop this year was at Mark Twain Elementary School with 68 fewer students from last year's 728.

"That's the surprise for us," said Mike Watty, associate superintendent of educational services. "There's still building going on around that school. We expected a little bit of an increase."

For the last 10 years, the school district has been growing slightly but steadily each year. In 1993, there were 6,973 students in the district.

The largest growth this year was seen at Eagle Valley Middle School with 960 students, 47 more than last year. Fritsch Elementary School grew by 27 students to a population 624 this year.

School officials will discuss the effect of the numbers at Tuesday's school board meeting.

IF YOU GO

What: Carson City School Board meeting

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.

SCHOOL POPULATIONS

School Last Year This Year Loss/Gain

Elementary 3,981 3,938 -43

Carson Middle School 1,247 1,220 -27

Eagle Valley Middle School 913 960 47

Pioneer High School 99 107 8

Carson High School 2,594 2,576 -18

Total 8,834 8,801 -33