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USD 409 superintendent warns enrollment decline is straining budget, highlights attendance and literacy goals
Summary
Superintendent Laura Batson told the Atchison City Commission that USD 409 has seen steady enrollment declines (about 100 students a year), higher special-education and chronic-absence rates and budget pressure that cost the district roughly $556,000 last year; she outlined priorities including early literacy and staffing.
Laura Batson, superintendent of USD 409, told the Atchison City Commission on Aug. 3 that the district is managing enrollment declines and budget constraints while pursuing a four-part strategic plan focused on instruction, staffing, community partnerships and communication. "Our graduation rate is higher than the state average at 95 percent and our, dropout rate is lower than the states at 1.5 percent," Batson said, while noting that roughly a third of students are on individualized education programs and about 21 percent are chronically absent.
Batson said the district lost roughly 99 students last year and that the state's base-aid funding formulas meant the district received about $556,000 less in base aid because of that decline. She described the district's work on early literacy, phonics and strengthening tier-one instruction and said targeted professional development and community input will guide budget choices. "Where do you see a need and an area for our community to grow?" Batson asked, describing the district's "2'cent Tuesday" community feedback sessions and an upcoming budget workshop on Aug. 10 and a board meeting on Aug. 17.
Batson also flagged a decline in the state share of education funding, noting a drop in the state's reported education funding percentage. She said that while some assessment areas showed growth, science scores had declined and the district will commission a curriculum audit to align instruction with state standards. The presentation concluded with an invitation to the public to attend back-to-school events and ongoing community meetings.
