Hermiston reports 5,240 K–12 enrollment; district notes 121 interdistrict transfers in

Hermiston School District officials reported that September enrollment stood at 5,240 K–12 students, Superintendent Dr. Mooney told the board Oct. 13.

The nut graf: the district said the 5,240 figure is the district’s September count for students enrolled in district schools; it excludes some students who are enrolled in online charters or are homeschooled and reflected a net decline from the prior year.

Dr. Mooney said the district’s September enrollment was 5,240 and that interdistrict transfers into Hermiston numbered 121 students (students living in neighboring districts but attending Hermiston), while transfers out via interdistrict transfer numbered 222. She also said 78 students were enrolled in an online charter. "So our district enrollment is 5,240 and the total student enrollment is 5,540, but that does include the 121 students that transfer in," she said.

Board members asked follow-up questions about homeschool registration and the ESD virtual learning academy; staff said homeschool families are required to register with the ESD but the district does not have a way to capture homeschool students who do not register. The superintendent clarified that students who are homeschooled but attend district classes part time generate ADM (average daily membership) for the district for the periods they attend.

Board members raised broader questions about demographic trends and why enrollment has not grown despite local development; staff said reasons vary, including parental choice and work-related relocations, and that the district lacks comprehensive data on the motivations for each transfer.

No board action was taken on the enrollment report; staff said they will provide additional breakout data if requested by board members.