Board warns falling enrollment could cost district roughly $1 million; urges legislative attention
Loading...
Summary
Board members warned at the Feb. 9 meeting that a projected decline of about 90 resident students could translate into roughly $1 million in lost revenue over several years under the state funding formula; they reported meeting with state lawmakers to press for relief and clarity on assessment cut‑scores and voucher policy.
Board members told the Elkhorn Area School District meeting on Feb. 9 that recent enrollment trends — a large senior class coupled with fewer incoming early‑grade students — create a structural budget risk that could total about $1 million in lost revenue over time unless state funding mechanics are addressed.
During a legislative update, members reported meeting with Representative August and Senator Nance to discuss the funding formula and possible declining‑enrollment exemptions. One board member summarized the projected effect: "if we go down 90 students, that's ... roughly a $1,000,000 dollar loss in revenue" spread over the funding period. Members asked lawmakers to consider protections or floors in the formula to reduce steep year‑to‑year impacts on district budgets.
Members also discussed assessment reporting and DPI cut‑score adjustments, noting that shifts in how proficiency is reported can change headline proficiency percentages and that communication from the Department of Public Instruction has been inadequate on how cut scores were set. Separately, the board debated the mechanics of private‑school vouchers and 'decoupling' — the practice of separating voucher funding from state aid — with a presenter explaining that local levies currently make up the difference, an amount locally estimated near $800,000 for voucher coverage in recent years.
The board asked staff to continue legislative outreach and to prepare materials that clearly document enrollment and revenue projections to share with lawmakers and stakeholders. The district also signaled it will continue meeting with the legislature and advocacy partners to seek relief or clarifying policy changes.
