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Board hears concerns about rising homeschooling and ADM shortfall; staff to report analysis
Summary
Board members and staff discussed a growing homeschool population and a notable ADM shortfall (final certified ADM 4,220.43 vs projections); staff said families aren’t required to state reasons, legal guidance on homeschool reporting is under review, and promised further analysis on facility and budgeting impacts.
Caroline County school officials and board members on June 8 discussed a notable rise in homeschooling and its relationship to average daily membership (ADM) and budget projections.
District staff reported a final certified ADM for FY26 of 4,220.43 (principal report 4,226.4). During public comment and board discussion, speakers raised the increase in homeschooling (one exchange referenced 485 homeschool students for 25–26) and asked staff to analyze which grades or subgroups are leaving district schools and how that affects staffing and facility plans.
Staff said families are not required to give reasons for homeschooling and that the district is engaging legal counsel to confirm what can be reported; an advocacy group had inquired about district practices. Staff committed to provide a compliance‑sensitive report on homeschool numbers and, to the extent lawful, their distribution by grade band and implications for enrollment forecasting and facility use.
Why it matters: ADM drives state funding; substantial, sustained shifts to homeschooling change revenue forecasts and can create budget pressures. Board members asked for follow‑up on the causes, geographic patterns and potential mitigation strategies.
