Winchester Public Schools reports 4,078 students in Sept. 30 fall submission; division notes uptick in students experiencing homelessness

Ms. Buckner, who presented the fall student‑record collection and average daily membership data, said the division submitted 4,078 students for the Sept. 30 report (pre‑K excluded) and noted that "we are at 4,078 students." She told the board that the number reported to the state is a projection used to help set budget allocations and that the division’s live enrollment as of the meeting was 4,130.

Buckner emphasized that the fall submission she presented has not yet been validated by the Virginia Department of Education and is a snapshot for state reporting purposes. She pointed to subgroup changes compared with last year: Hispanic enrollment rose about 3 percentage points while the white student share fell about 1 point; English learners edged up (newcomers increased by 12 students year‑over‑year) and the division’s ELL share rose from 33% to 34% year‑over‑year.

On student instability, Buckner said the division recorded an increase in students covered by the McKinney‑Vento Act (students who lack stable housing), rising from 112 in fiscal year 2023 to 150 as of Sept. 30. "When we do have students that fall under the McKinney‑Vento act ... they have immediate enrollment," she said, describing the law’s requirement for immediate school placement and the resulting transportation obligations. Buckner warned that some newly designated students now travel considerable distances and that arranging transportation within 48–72 hours strains the division’s bus capacity.

The presentation noted that free‑and‑reduced‑price meal estimates are affected by the division’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and direct certification lists from Social Services; staff explained the CEP multiplier and cautioned that the reported free/reduced figure is an estimate and a fluid monthly number. Board members asked clarifying questions about the drivers of enrollment change; Buckner cited several possible causes, including temporary refugee influxes, and reiterated that the Sept. 30 data are the basis for state budgeting until the spring finalization.

Next steps: staff will continue monitoring enrollment through January and prepare the spring report that finalizes budget allocations.