Study finds declining enrollment, excess elementary capacity; offers reconfiguration options for Falmouth Public Schools

Chair Welch, chair of the Falmouth Public Schools School Committee, opened a special meeting March 6 to receive a presentation of an independent facilities and enrollment study by the New England School Development Council (NESDC).

NESDC senior staff associate Karen LaDuke presented demographic research, 10-year enrollment projections, a facilities review of the district’s four elementary schools and a set of eight reconfiguration options for committee and community consideration. LaDuke said NESDC’s work combines population trends, birth data, local housing activity and on-site school reviews.

"NESDC has been around for over 75 years," LaDuke said, describing the organization and its approach. She told the committee the district’s K–12 enrollment declined about 20.1 percent over the past 10 years and that "over the next three years, K–4 enrollments are projected to decrease by 92 students, or 8.4%." The study projects smaller declines for middle and high school cohorts but notes overall downward pressure on enrollment across most grade spans.

Why it matters: the study connects lower local…