Taunton schools report small enrollment dip; superintendent says meals are funded despite federal shutdown uncertainty

Superintendent Cabral told the Taunton School Committee on Oct. 15 that preliminary Oct. 1 enrollment stands at 8,233 students, a net decline of 78 from the same date in 2024.

Cabral said the decrease is largely attributable to the end of a temporary shelter placement and that the district is working with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to reconcile the data before submitting final certified numbers, due Oct. 24. He said a finalized enrollment report will be provided to the committee in November.

Cabral outlined grade-level shifts: Pre-K enrollment rose by 13 students to 354 and all full-day Pre-K classrooms are currently filled; kindergarten fell by 57 to 575; grades 1–4 showed modest net gains (Grade 1 up 16, Grade 2 up 26, Grade 4 up 38). Middle school (grades 5–7) enrollment was reported at 1,787, a net decrease of 78, with mixed movement across grades; high school enrollment showed a small net decline overall, while Taunton Alternative High School and the Taunton Public Virtual Academy each increased by 11 students.

On federal funding, Cabral told the committee the district had received some FY27 grant funding and was not yet feeling the effects of a federal government shutdown. He said food service operations are covered through the end of the month and that the district has reserves in its food service revolving account sufficient to maintain meals for students if federal payments are delayed; the superintendent said the district would be reimbursed once federal funding resumed.

The superintendent emphasized that Oct. 1 numbers are used to establish the foundation budget and Chapter 70 funding, and that the district will continue working with DESE to resolve any deficiencies before certification.

The committee received the superintendent’s report without objection; Cabral said he would return with a finalized enrollment report in November.