District reports 13,165 students and capacity pressures at Oliver and Leahy; daily attendance 92.3%

The Lawrence Alliance for Education heard an enrollment and attendance report Oct. 8 that showed 13,165 students districtwide and capacity constraints at several schools, particularly the Oliver and Leahy complexes.

Director Maria Ortiz told the board the districts total enrollment stood at 13,165 students, down slightly from about 13,220 at the same point last year. Ortiz presented grade- and school-level rosters showing multiple closed grades at Oliver and Leahy; several classes are at or above the posted caps and are being filled by neighborhood assignment or sibling placement where possible.

"At this moment, it could be the Arlington School for middle school or it can be the Tarbox," Ortiz said when explaining how the district assigns students when neighborhood schools are at capacity.

Board members asked how the district handles sibling placement; Ortiz said the district tries to keep siblings together and will offer families the option to move the entire family to the school to avoid splitting children between sites when capacities require reassignment.

Ortiz also said the district historically expects a post-holiday registration influx and estimated between 300 and 500 new students typically enroll after the New Year. The board was urged to plan for that increase when considering capacity and staffing.

On attendance, the district reported a daily attendance rate of 92.3% through Oct. 3; the districts goal is 95%, and several schools were already at or near 97%. The superintendent and attendance staff said sustained outreach and family engagement have helped maintain rates despite community incidents earlier in the month.

The board did not take action on enrollment matters but requested continued reports as the district monitors capacity and registration trends.