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RSU 35 reports roughly flat enrollment on first day; preschool rollout, transportation issues noted
Summary
District officials reported 2,149 students on opening day, roughly flat year-over-year; principals described a new three-year-old preschool rollout that will add rolling enrollments and noted initial transportation software and staffing hiccups that were resolved.
RSU 35/MSAD 35 officials reported 2,149 students on the district’s first day of school, and said overall enrollment is essentially flat compared with last year.
Ryan, who presented the enrollment charts to the board, said, “right now at the first day school we have 2,149 students” and walked trustees through school-level changes: the high school was down about 12 students, the middle school was up about 22, Great Works down about 19, Central up about 23, and one elementary down about 16, producing a net year-over-year change of roughly minus two students.
Why it matters: enrollment drives state subsidy and affects staffing and budget planning. Ryan told the board that the district typically loses additional students between the first day and the Oct. 1 certification and said the district expects some decline before certification.
Principals and administrators reported a generally smooth opening day but flagged areas of operational strain. Principal Hoop and other building leaders said the district opened a new three-year-old preschool program that required moving trucks, assembling furniture and flexible class-size planning because children will age into the program across the year. One principal summarized that preschool enrollment will “add” students throughout the school year rather than fix class rosters at the start.
Transportation also drew attention. Administrators said the district moved to a new transportation computer program and a new transportation director; there were issues over the weekend as routes and schedules were adjusted, but staff worked through the problems so buses arrived on time for students.
Budget context was discussed but not fully clarified. The presenter said a budget projection figure while building the budget was recorded in the meeting materials as “2,14” (transcript text unclear); the presenter also noted the district is running about five students above the budgeted enrollment in the current year, which will provide additional subsidy to the district.
No formal action was taken on enrollment at the meeting. Board members were told the district will monitor counts through the Oct. 1 certification process and report back.
