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District sees steady enrollment decline, competition from online and charter programs; board launching a virtual academy
Summary
Stifel’s financial update showed Mitchell Community Schools lost an average of about 24 students per year from 2019–2026, with a recent net loss of roughly 183 students; trustees discussed a new online academy and retention strategies to stabilize funding.
Mitchell Community Schools trustees heard that the district’s enrollment has trended downward for several years, compounding the budget stress caused by state tax changes.
"On average, we lost 24 kids a year," Chad Blacklock, a Stifel Incorporated representative, told the board, pointing to six-month ADM counts from 2019 through 2026 that show continued declines and a pronounced spring drop in Mitchell’s counts. He said the district’s spring enrollments have been consistently lower than fall counts, which reduces state per-pupil revenue.
Blacklock provided a detailed transfer breakdown: resident enrollment, transfers in and out, public transfers (court- or placement-driven moves), and nonpublic transfers using state choice scholarships. He said Mitchell’s spring 2026 net position showed the district lost about 183 more students than it gained when accounting for public and private transfers and voucher use.
Trustees and administrators discussed where students were going. Blacklock identified online programs and nearby districts as the primary competitors, citing Connections Academy, Lawrence County Independent School and several virtual programs as significant recipients of Mitchell students. He observed that a growing number of students are choosing online options and that some districts have substantial transfer-in populations (25–30% in examples), which adds volatility to funding.
In response, the board and administration said they are preparing to launch a district-run online academy in the fall to retain and attract students. A district official said registration had not yet opened but that planners were moving forward with marketing and messaging emphasizing in-person learning while offering a virtual option.
The session closed without formal action; the board asked the presenter for his slides and signaled that enrollment strategies — including the virtual academy and targeted outreach ahead of any possible referendum — will be part of ongoing planning.
