Star Valley School District officials told trustees on Sept. 10 that September enrollment stood at 2,881 students, a decline of 73 students compared with the previous year and a decrease of 167 students from three years ago.
Administrators said the lower count will reduce state funding because Wyoming’s funding model uses average daily membership and a rolling average; district staff estimated the lost revenue by multiplying the enrollment decline by the per‑pupil funding figure discussed at the meeting.
Superintendent Erickson and the business office said several contributors explain the decline: a national drop in birth rates (cited by an outside demographic presenter the district had consulted previously), lower kindergarten cohorts compared with prior elementary cohorts, and local demographic shifts despite population growth in some valley areas.
Why this matters: a sustained enrollment decrease affects per‑pupil revenue and can influence staffing levels, programming and long‑term budgeting. The district will monitor counts and present updated enrollment and fiscal estimates to the board as part of routine budget oversight.
Ending: administrators said they will continue to track enrollment trends and provide the board with updated revenue projections as the year progresses.