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Forest Hills reviews 10‑year enrollment projections; preschool growth strains Sherwood space
Summary
Superintendent Larry Hope presented a 10‑year enrollment projection from consultant Futurethink showing a modest districtwide decline over the next decade but pockets of growth — notably preschool and Sherwood Elementary — prompting board discussion of facility options and a preschool task force.
Superintendent Larry Hope presented the district—uturethink enrollment report, saying the consultant used 10 years of historical EMIS data, live birth rates, housing permit counts and local population trends to estimate future enrollment. The report projects a districtwide decline of about 334 students over the next 10 years, equivalent to roughly 3.7 students per school per year, while preschool enrollment is projected to increase by about 25 students over the same period.
Why it matters: the projections shape long‑range facilities planning, staffing and levy discussions. Hope told the board the consultant—uturethink (the firm the Ohio School Facilities Commission uses) combined multiple data sources to produce building‑level forecasts. "They look at that as well. Live birth rates. And that's really used heavily for projecting kindergarten enrollment," he said.
Board members noted the district ecline is modest when spread across nine schools, but several individual buildings showed divergent trends. Sherwood and Summit were identified as growth areas; Sherwood already has used part of its media center for preschool. Hope said the district has formed a preschool task force to evaluate options and that staff will draft facilities options for board consideration. Alternatives discussed included reconfiguring attendance zones, shifting classroom space within buildings, or pursuing external funding strategies used elsewhere (for example, local tax‑increment financing observed in neighboring collaborations). Hope also flagged a November committee meeting to advance tech and facilities review and urged the public to review the full report posted on the district website on Oct. 2.
Board members emphasized the difference between modest overall decline and localized capacity needs. "If Sherwood does continue to grow in its general population, we need some space," one member said. Officials said no immediate construction decisions will be made; the next steps are data review, committee-level options and community engagement before any larger facility action.
Votes at the meeting: early in the session the board approved the minutes for the special meeting of Sept. 16, 2025, and the regular meeting of Sept. 17, 2025; a roll call recorded five "yes" votes (Mister Bell, Missus Jonas, Doctor Simmons, Doctor Strickler, Mister Bibb).
