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District enrollment dips to 2,919; superintendent flags accountability counting for early career or military departures
Summary
Superintendent Erickson reported the district’s headcount was 2,919 students, down 18 from January 2024, and told trustees that state accountability currently counts some early career or military departures as dropouts — a policy he said the district plans to raise with legislators.
Superintendent Erickson told Lincoln County School District No. 2 trustees the district’s student enrollment stood at 2,919 as of the most recent count, down 18 students from January 2024.
“We're currently at 2,919 students,” Superintendent Erickson said. He told trustees that staff know the individual circumstances for students who left — citing moves, early graduation, online enrollment and choices to enter the military or workforce — and that district staff are tracking where those students go.
Erickson warned trustees the state’s accountability reporting treats some students who leave early for military or career training as dropouts, even when the student’s outcome is a career or military placement. “On the accountability report with the state, it's considered a drop out if somebody, is military ready or career ready and moves on before graduation,” he said, and said the district plans to raise the issue in the legislative session.
Separately, the district’s finance presentation referenced a state-level house/senate file that staff said shows increased funding proposed for school facilities; Business Office staff said the bill language shows an increase “to public education of 38.1” in the fiscal notes and that final numbers could change before enactment.
Trustees asked about where departing students are enrolling and whether online enrollment is counted; Erickson said students who remain enrolled in the district’s online program remain counted as district students, and that the district is aware of students who transfer to other districts.
The board did not take action on enrollment at the meeting. Superintendent Erickson said the district will continue tracking student status and will pursue statutory clarification so the accountability record does not penalize students who depart for documented career or military placements.
This article relies on superintendent remarks and business-office summaries delivered at the Jan. 8 board meeting.
