Woodland CCSD 50 Superintendent Dr. Machek opened a presentation June 26 saying the district is exploring a universal preschool program and had hired Cropper GIS Consulting to produce a demographic study as a first step.

“Bringing students and their families under the Woodland umbrella earlier would help ensure that children start kindergarten with any academic or social emotional supports that they might need already in place,” Dr. Machek said as he introduced Matthew Cropper, principal of Cropper GIS Consulting.

Matthew Cropper summarized the firm’s methods and forecast. He said the district’s 0–4 population is smaller than older cohorts, meaning Woodland will rely on in-migration to avoid long-term enrollment declines. Cropper gave a district-level median age of 39.9 in 2020, projected to rise to 43.3 by 2035, and said the forecast shows relatively stable preK–8 enrollment, dropping from about 4,731 students now to roughly 4,591 by the end of the 10-year forecast.

Cropper described the firm’s assumptions — including steady mortgage rates below 8 percent and no new statewide voucher program — and cautioned that nondemographic factors (housing market shifts, vouchers, or changes in public/private school attendance) would require a new forecast. He also said the firm holds preschool enrollment constant in the model to isolate demographic effects and that the district currently has capacity for roughly 236 preschool seats.

Board members had no follow-up questions after the presentation and thanked Cropper for the study. The presentation concluded with a statement that the forecast will inform next steps if the board wishes to pursue a universal preschool program.

The board did not take any formal action on a program design or funding at the meeting; the demographic study was presented for information and to guide future planning.