Board discusses enrollment dip, outreach and referendum planning; staff to pull withdrawal breakdowns

Board members discussed a recent drop in October enrollment compared with June and explored next steps for outreach and outreach coordination ahead of any potential fall referendum.

District staff said some of the change appears related to families moving in and out, enrollments in career/technical programs (Cheney Tech, Rockville), preschool transitions and staff-family enrollments. Staff committed to pulling the withdrawal and enrollment breakdown — including withdrawals to private, magnet or homeschool settings — and returning with clearer numbers.

"I can get ... the withdrawals and enrollments as far as our withdrawals and enrollments," a district staff member said, offering to produce a side-by-side comparison to identify shifts to magnet schools or private schooling.

Separately, the board and ad hoc members discussed public-engagement needs tied to a possible referendum. Participants distinguished a marketing firm role from a referendum specialist and urged the board to lead initial outreach (short materials and town halls), with more polished trifold materials to follow. They noted legislative timing in April could affect reimbursement rates and the timing of a referendum campaign.

Board members proposed coordinating informational sessions with high-attendance school events, preparing an initial communication now and supplementing with professional marketing materials later. No referendum date or binding decision was set at the meeting; staff said a more detailed enrollment breakdown and proposed outreach materials would be prepared for future board consideration.