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Livonia reports only 38.71 FTE decline in fall 2024; young-fives expansion drives elementary gains
Summary
District staff told the board that fall 2024 counts show a net decline of 38.71 full-time-equivalent students year-over-year, the smallest decline since 2012. Elementary enrollment rose about 130.81 FTE largely because young-fives expanded to six sites; reductions in share-time placements cost ~35.32 FTE.
Jen Keith, district administrator for student services, presented the district's fall 2024 enrollment count and told the board the district is down 38.71 FTE compared with last year — the smallest decrease the district has seen in the charted period. "We're down only 38.71 students compared, from last year to this year at the exact same time," Keith said, noting that fractional counts reflect FTE accounting for shared special-education placements.
Keith highlighted that elementary enrollment was up by about 130.81 FTE overall with large increases at Stevenson (+84.77) and Churchill (+67.48). She credited the district's expanded young-fives program, which now serves six elementary sites and roughly 130'—135 young-fives students compared with the sixties last year, as a major contributor to elementary gains.
The presenter explained that part of the district's net decline stems from a deliberate reduction in share-time placements: the district cut service to eight fewer parochial schools than in 2023, which translated to about a 35.32 FTE reduction in share-time FTE. Keith said staff continue to monitor how changes to share time and early childhood placements affect totals.
Board members praised the stabilization. "That 38 number is very significant," Missus Burton said, noting that Livonia typically educates roughly 1% of Michigan's schoolchildren and that sustained enrollment stability is notable amid wider demographic trends. Mister Johnson emphasized the role of communications in attracting families to district programs.
Key context and next steps: Keith reviewed factors that feed enrollment projections (incoming kindergarten registrations, principal projections, housing developments, schools of choice windows and Act 18 programs) and said staff will continue monitoring registrations and program retention through the spring. The board asked staff to continue outreach and to return with updates as registration windows open.
