Board hears enrollment dip, ELA course shifts and $164,000 in recurring savings

Administration told the Stevens Point Area Public School District board on Feb. 9 that the district's second Friday in January counts showed a modest decline from September: seat enrollment was 6,742 (down 29), membership 7,035 (down 3) and FTE membership 6,850 (down 3).

The business-services presenter noted the decline is not unusual between September and January and cited factors such as seasonal movement of agricultural families and transfers. "Our enrollment for '25, '26 in January was 6,742," the presenter said. Staff emphasized efforts to recover students and address truancy; some students who left were later re-enrolled.

As part of a program review, the administration reported ELA course enrollment shifts after curriculum and course-sequence changes. Examples provided by the administration included Composition & Research increasing from 126 to 231 students, Foundations of Writing rising from 130 to 312, American Literature from 55 to 258, and Literature & Film decreasing from 305 to 158 while Creative Expression fell from 208 to 35. Administration said these shifts indicate students selecting more rigorous offerings.

On budget review and efficiencies, the administration said software reductions and other measures identified recurring savings totaling about $164,000 so far and that further staffing efficiencies tied to retirements and resignations are under review. The administration expects to bring larger cost-savings figures to the board in March or April.