Petersburg reports a small enrollment drop and mixed class-size compliance

Rochelle Hynes, supervisor of testing and state reporting, presented the district’s preliminary enrollment and class-size data based on the 15th day of school. She reported total pre-K–12 enrollment of 4,520 for the current year, down from 4,616 in 2024 — a decrease of 102 students, about 2.5 percent.

Hynes walked the board through per-school enrollments and average class sizes. Examples included Lakemont Elementary (total K–5 enrollment 368; kindergarten average 15.5) and Petersburg High School (multiple grade-level averages reported). The presentation noted the Standards of Quality (SOQ) methodology used to compute funded K–3 average class-size targets and highlighted that some schools are near or above SOQ targets for particular grade spans.

Hynes also reviewed the district’s ‘‘no-show’’ list by school (Cool Springs 3, Warner Hill 5, Petersburg High 19, Pittman 8) and described outreach efforts — phone calls, home visits, ParentSquare notifications and attendance meetings — intended to locate students and improve attendance. Board members asked staff to track whether no-show students are McKinney-Vento (homeless) or enrolled elsewhere; staff committed to pulling that data and noted a new dashboard for cohort tracking and graduation mobility will be available.

Board discussion focused on how to reduce class sizes where feasible, staffing implications and whether the district has the space and funds to add teachers where averages exceed targets. Staff noted the district has until Dec. 30 to take action for SOQ program application purposes if a school must hire a teacher to meet SOQ requirements.