Shawano enrollment increases

The Shawano School District is continuing to see an upward trend in student enrollment, administrators reported Monday. Superintendent Gary Cumberland told the School Board that the district’s enrollment is 2,611, a 2.2 percent hike from 2,544 students reported for the 2012-13 school year. The official count takes place annually on the third Friday in September. “Early on, we felt that by building Hillcrest (Primary School), we were going to attract students to the community. With 70 additional students, that seems to be the direction we’re heading,” Cumberland said. “I also think the addition to tech ed (at Shawano Community High School) is attracting more students.” The district also continues to see more students coming in than going out through open enrollment, although the gap is closing. In 2013, 187 students from other communities are attending school in the Shawano district, an increase of 11 students. However, there are 120 students going from the Shawano area to other districts, up 30 students from last year. The largest student increase came at Hillcrest, which reported 700 students enrolled this year. The school had a count of 625 in 2012. Hillcrest principal Troy Edwards pointed out that some of the 75 additional students came through open enrollment. Also, some families moved into the district boundaries, he said, swelling the numbers. “It’s certainly a good thing,” Edwards said. “I wish I knew what the magical formula was because I’d be doing it every year. I think we offer a good education.” Olga Brener Intermediate School and Shawano Community Middle School saw slight enrollment increases, with counts of 517 and 525, respectively. Both schools reported 510 students each in 2012. Shawano Community High School and the LEADS Charter School reported enrollment decreases. SCHS enrollment dropped from 827 last year to 802 this year. The LEADS Charter School enrollment dropped from 71 to 67. Student enrollment is a key factor in state aid. In July, the school district was informed it would receive about $12.66 million, an increase of $522,723. That number is expected to increase further due to the increased enrollment. The increase in the state aid is expected to help keep the Shawano school tax rate stable. The district has been able to meet its goal, so far, of maintaining the rate at $9.95 per $1,000 of equalized valuation. The only thing that could raise the tax rate would be a drop in equalized property valuation. Final valuation numbers are expected to be released by the state Oct. 15.