By Crystal Hayduk
Chelsea School District’s (CSD) unofficial student count, conducted on Oct. 6, is 2,357—an increase of 70 students since Count Day in October 2020.
An accurate student count is important because the district’s funding is based on the number. CSD will receive a foundation allowance of $8,700 per student from the state. “This year, the state equalized the base foundation allowance which resulted in an increase of $562 per pupil in foundation allowance for Chelsea,” said Superintendent Julie Helber.
Since the preliminary budget approved by the board of education in June was based on a loss of 75 students, the increase is good news for the district.
Fall Count numbers include 70 School of Choice students, which the district began accepting in 2018. Twenty-four of those students are new enrollees this year.
The student count also includes 11 international students.
However, this year’s projected count is 84 students fewer than the official total of 2,441 students from 2019-20.
In her report to the school board on Sept. 13, Helber said 77 students had left the district prior to the start of the school year. Breaking down the numbers, she said 28 students left because their families moved; 13 left to attend School of Choice in another district; five decided to homeschool; 11 switched to a private or charter school; six students were lost to the district when the St. Louis Center Youth Program closed; and 14 students unenrolled without providing a reason.
Counting and funding for Michigan school districts has returned to pre-pandemic processes. Districts will have 30 days to capture student numbers for those who were enrolled on Oct. 6, but absent. This year’s State Aid will be calculated using 10% of the student count from February 2021 and 90% of the October student count.
“While our enrollment is not restored to pre-pandemic numbers, we are pleased with the increase this year,” said Helber. “There are several new or expanded residential sites across Chelsea and we anticipate our numbers to continue to increase as new homes are built. We welcomed many new families to the school district this year, and look forward to welcoming many more in the years to come.”
The next legislated count day will be Feb. 9, 2022.
