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Virtual-school enrollment falls below 1% cap; district reports roughly 208 students at Commonwealth virtual schools
Summary
One year after imposing a 1% discretionary cap on Springfield students enrolling in Commonwealth virtual schools, district officials reported the share fell from about 1.03% to 0.88%; staff estimate about 50 seats will be available next year and said the district wants to recruit students back to its own Springfield Virtual School.
Chief Saint Lawrence reported to the Springfield Public Schools School Committee that the share of Springfield students enrolled in Commonwealth of Massachusetts virtual schools fell to about 0.88% from a peak of about 1.03% a year earlier, one year after the committee enacted a discretionary 1% enrollment restriction.
"Number 1 is that there are no action required from you at all tonight," Superintendent Dr. Denaul told the committee as staff presented the update. She said the department estimates there will be about 50 seats available in Commonwealth virtual schools next year for Springfield families, "on top of seats available in our Springfield Virtual School."
Chief Saint Lawrence told the committee the 1% cap remains in effect and that the department returned to provide the one-year status update requested when the restriction was adopted on Feb. 29, 2024.
Committee members asked about outreach and funding. Vice Chair Monroe Naylor asked whether the district is advertising the Springfield Virtual School; Dr. Denaul said chief Escribano was compiling a catalog of district schools and programs and that staff want to expose the roughly 208 students currently enrolled in Commonwealth virtual schools to the district’s own virtual option.
Committee members discussed funding flows. Staff said the $9,000-per-student pass-through is part of chapter 70 funding and school choice formulas; a committee member noted that the 208 students represent a funding transfer and characterized the figure as "a little over $2,000,000" in annual payments moving to Commonwealth virtual schools.
Chief Saint Lawrence said statewide Commonwealth virtual school enrollment declined about 2% from last year to this year, and staff said it was too early to predict a long-term trend. The committee did not take action on the update.
Ending: District staff will continue outreach to inform families about Springfield’s virtual program and provide additional grade-level breakdowns and data on request.
