District reports steady enrollment of 2,192 and updates ADM projection method

The Winona Area Public School District reported steady K–12 enrollment and a small change to the district’s ADM projection method during the regular meeting that followed the organizational session.

The superintendent said staff ran enrollment numbers on Jan. 2 and reported total K–12 enrollment of 2,192 students. To convert enrollment to projected Average Daily Membership (ADM) for funding projections, the district adjusted the reduction percentage used in that calculation to 2.21% from the previous 2.38%, a change the superintendent described as reflecting updated averages and bringing ADM closer to headcount.

Board members asked technical questions about the drivers of the ADM difference. The superintendent explained two principal factors: seniors scheduled for partial days or students with partial enrollments can inflate headcount relative to ADM, and the district uses a multi‑year average in calculations. "We're using a 5 year average," the superintendent said when asked how the averaging is done. The superintendent also noted that enrollment has been consistent month‑to‑month, with only a seven‑student range across the reported period.

No budget decisions were made at this meeting; the 2027 budget development timeline was presented as information and staff said the timeline remains unchanged with a December 18 target noted for related deadlines. The board did not take action on budgets but received the update for planning purposes.

The minutes record that the district will continue using the revised ADM reduction percentage for future projections and will bring any budgetary actions to the board in subsequent meetings.