Count day — the important first Wednesday in October when all school districts in Michigan must tally the number of students attending their schools — was Wednesday, Oct. 3 this year.
This number is critical to schools because it translates into state funding. According to Michigan House and Senate Fiscal Agencies documents, Fenton, Linden and Holly schools will receive a per-pupil allowance of $7,871 for the 2018-2019 school year. Lake Fenton will receive $7,916 per pupil.
These numbers are up from $7,631 per pupil compared to the 2017-2018 school year.
Most local schools experienced a slight decrease in number of students.
Fenton Area Public Schools
According to Superintendent Adam Hartley, the unofficial count for fall 2018 is 3,443 students, up from 3,402 in October 2017. In October 2016, the count was 3,417.
Lake Fenton Community Schools
The unofficial count for Lake Fenton schools Oct. 3 is 2,066, according to Superintendent Julie Williams. She added it was similar to their number last year, at 2,071. The 2016 count was 2,079.
Williams said they experienced a drop in student count numbers during the 2015-16 school of almost 20 students.
“We have some bigger classes coming through the middle school and high school with average sized classes following them. Last year we had 151 graduates and I have 141 kindergarten students. That alone would create a drop in student of 10, but with new enrollments, etc. we are only down five,” she said. “In addition, if you look at birth rates in Genesee County in the past five years, there has been a decline as well, so there are fewer students to enter kindergarten in our county.”
Linden Community Schools
The unofficial count for Linden Community Schools is 2,713 students, according to Superintendent Russ Ciesielski. This is a decrease compared to the unofficial count in 2017 at 2,810.
The official count last fall was 2,789. The official count for students in 2016 was 2,814, showing a decline from the previous year. The Linden Board of Education anticipated this drop in number of students, and amended the budget accordingly.
Holly Area Schools
The unofficial count on Oct. 3 for Holly Area Schools is 3,300, according to Superintendent Scott Roper.
“This is very similar to our number last year,” he said.
This is a decrease compared to the unofficial fall 2017 numbers at 3,325 students. The official count in 2016 was 3,279.
The official count will not be available until six weeks from count day because schools must send in information about absences to the state to count students who were gone on count day. According to Roper, districts have 10 days to count students with an unexcused absence who return, and 30 days to count students with an excused absence who return.
The district can still claim a student, and more funding, if:
• The student has an excused absence and attends within 30 calendar days following count day.
• The student has an unexcused absence and attends within 10 school days following count day.
• The student is suspended and attends within 45 calendar days following count day.
The spring count will take place Feb. 14.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.