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Oshkosh Area School District reports third‑Friday enrollment decline of 185; board discusses budget implications
Summary
District officials said the third‑Friday count was 8,923, down 185 from last year. Staff reported a net open‑enrollment loss of 310, and 902 withdrawals from June 2024–June 2025 with breakdowns by reason. Board members discussed the declining-enrollment exemption and near‑term budget effects.
Oshkosh Area School District officials on Oct. 8 told the school board the official third‑Friday count for 2025 was 8,923 students, a decrease of 185 from the previous year, and outlined how that decline could affect future budgets.
The figure matters because state reporting of the third‑Friday count underpins district state aid and revenue-limit calculations; staff said the district will be made whole for the decline this year through the declining‑enrollment exemption but that the lower count becomes the starting point for next year’s base funding.
District staff described the complexity of the third‑Friday process, noting that absences, vacations and students in out‑of‑district placements require follow‑up to determine whether those students should be counted. Mr. Yerke credited district assistant Rachel Bauer for tracking down students and reconciling records.
Key enrollment figures presented to the board: - Official third‑Friday count: 8,923 (down 185 from prior year) - Net open enrollment: net loss of 310 (194 open enrollments in; 504 open enrollments out) - Withdrawals, June 2024–June 2025: 902 total withdrawals, broken down as: 124 to homeschool, 456 moved to a different Wisconsin city, 155 moved out of state, and 105 to parochial/private schools.
Board members asked whether the district could gather better, earlier data on families considering leaving; staff said the district plans outreach and that a second pupil count in January offers an additional reconciliation opportunity. The board discussed the gap‑year nature of the declining‑enrollment exemption: the district will be made whole for the current decline but the lower count reduces next year’s base and may reduce future revenue.
District budget staff described the mechanics in broad terms: the declining amount is reconciled and the district receives an exemption payment this year, but that decline becomes part of the revenue base for subsequent years and could require programmatic adjustments if the trend continues.
Board members suggested deeper analysis of historical withdrawal patterns, comparisons to neighboring districts and targeted engagement to retain families. Staff agreed to provide further historical comparisons and to present follow‑up reporting to the facilities and finance committee and the full board.
