Early enrollment: Papillion La Vista reports K-12 up 84, total preK-12 up 48 to 12,117; paraprofessionals remain highest staffing need

Papillion La Vista Community Schools reported an early fall enrollment snapshot Aug. 25 showing growth across K-12 and some shifting in preschool counts.

Deputy superintendent for assessment and operations (presenter) said the district is up about 48 students districtwide (preschool through grade 12) compared with last year—s Oct. 1 official count, putting total enrollment at 12,117. Looking at K-12 only, the district is up roughly 84 students. Preschool enrollment is down about 36 at this early stage, which presenters described as typical because preschool enrollment often grows through the year.

Staffing updates included use of three available "growth" positions this summer to respond to higher primary-grade enrollments; special-education growth positions were not used yet. The district reported it did not fill one school psychologist position and a 0.4 special-education teacher position, and that it contracted for a speech-language pathologist at the secondary level and contracted for one of the school psychologist positions. District staff said the greatest area of recruitment need remains paraprofessionals, a staffing group heavily used in classrooms.

Officials reminded the public that Oct. 1 is the state—s official count date; the district will return with finalized figures after October—s cleanup.