Methuen reports enrollment decline consistent with statewide drop; committee asks for post‑Oct. 1 running totals and homeschool counts
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Summary
Acting Superintendent said district enrollment is down and cited a DESE report of a statewide decline of about 15,000 in‑district students; members requested running totals after Oct. 1 and numbers for students being homeschooled to better track state funding implications.
Committee members pressed administration for clearer enrollment metrics that drive state funding. Acting Superintendent Dr. Golovski said Methuen’s enrollment is down in some grades and noted DESE published a statewide decline of roughly 15,000 in‑district students.
Member Keegan asked for a running total after the Oct. 1 count so the committee can assess how many students post‑Oct. 1 enrollments would affect state aid. The acting superintendent agreed that a running total after Oct. 1 would be useful and acknowledged kindergarten enrollments and churn complicate year‑to‑year comparisons.
The vice chair asked whether an increase in homeschooling explains the statewide decline; Dr. Golovski said she has observed a slight uptick in homeschooling but that the full reasons for the statewide decline are not yet clear. Members requested a follow‑up report that includes a count of students being homeschooled and a clearer breakdown by school to support FY27 budget work.
Next steps: administration agreed to supply the requested running totals, a homeschooled student count, and to monitor grade‑level pockets of declining enrollment ahead of the budget cycle.
