Hillsboro School District 1J reported on Nov. 19 that October 1 enrollment was about 400 students lower than last year, a decline of roughly 2.18 percent.

Carmen, who presented the enrollment report, told the board the district’s Oct. 1 snapshot showed declines across multiple grade bands and a net drop driven largely by smaller kindergarten cohorts and lower high‑school counts. She said the district continued to see growth in particular programs: CityView Charter enrollment rose and the district’s Hillsboro Online Academy (HOA) reported 380 students on Oct. 1 (K–6: 165; grades 7–8: 60; grades 9–12: 155). Carmen said the K–8 homeschool partnership had 91 students as of Oct. 1 and that the principal later reported that number had increased to 98.

Board members discussed virtual charter transfers and the statutory limits on transfers, and staff said they would follow up with more detailed transfer numbers. Scott, the district’s CFO, later told the board the enrollment decline translated to roughly $1 million less in integrated‑programs allocation than forecasted for the current biennium, after accounting for higher staff and operating costs.

Board members and staff noted the decline reflects broader statewide and national trends; the district said its October forecast was nevertheless “exceptionally accurate” compared with budget estimates and that no midyear staffing reductions were anticipated at this time.

District staff said they will continue to monitor monthly enrollment and may use an out‑of‑cycle adjustment offered by the state in December if warranted. They also reiterated that some enrollment categories — such as HOA and the homeschool partnership — are treated differently for funding pass‑through or reimbursement purposes.