By Crystal Hayduk
As the COVID-19 pandemic completes its second year, student enrollment numbers in the Chelsea School District (CSD) appear to be stable on Feb. 9, the mandated Spring Count Day.
The numbers are unofficial until the audit is completed (deadline July 27), but there are currently 2,354 students enrolled districtwide. This number is 19 more than last October’s confirmed count of 2,335.
The lowest enrollment in recent years was 2,297 on Fall 2020 Count Day, when the pandemic was in its first months and students were hybrid or virtual, depending on grade level. But numbers haven’t rebounded to the enrollment of 2,430 in October 2019, before COVID-19 made its appearance.
Superintendent Julie Helber said, “We are proud that we have been able to keep our students in person the entire school year. Our enrollment projection shows that we have been able to retain students and attract some additional students to the district.”
Accurate counting of students is essential for determining state aid payments for school operations. CSD receives a foundation allowance of $8,700 per student this year. Ten percent of the spring count is used to calculate funding for the 2022-23 school year.
The February count also helps to inform district administrators as they determine staffing needs for next year.
The next Count Day will be Oct. 5; it will account for 90 percent of funding for next year.
