By Crystal Hayduk
There are an estimated 2,300 students in the Chelsea School District (CSD) on Feb. 8, Michigan’s mandated Spring Count Day.
Although the count remains unofficial until the certified audit is completed by July 26, it appears the number of students is essentially stable. Superintendent Mike Kapolka reported the official number of full-time equivalent students in the district on Fall Count Day, based on the State Aid Report released Jan. 20, was 2,295.91.
Current numbers are similar to the Fall 2020 count (2,297), the first count taken after the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Kapolka said the district started the school year with 90 School of Choice students, 10 international students, and two foreign exchange students. All continue to be enrolled.
“Given our [total] district projection of 2,300 students, our enrollment has held firm to this initial projection,” said Kapolka. “With the new local housing developments that are currently in their first and second phases of development, coupled with the district’s increase in the availability of School of Choice enrollment slots for the 2023-2024 school year, our aim will continue to be to grow our student population over a sustained period of time.”
State aid payments for school operations are based on the student count, so accurate counting is vital. CSD receives a foundation allowance of $8,700 per student this year. State aid is based on a blend of counts taken in both fall and spring.
Ten percent of the February count will be used to compute funding for the 2023-24 school year; 90% of last October’s count is used to compute funding for the current school year.
Spring Count Day also helps district administrators as they begin to determine staffing needs for next year.
The next Count Day will be Oct. 4.
