Enrollment projections short of CC, NK school expectations

Enrollment numbers for Charles City and New Kent County schools are below projections for the 2013-14 school year.

Weldon Cooper Center in Charlottesville projected New Kent’s enrollment to consist of 3,005 students. As of Sept. 23, the current student population is 2,924 students, 27 fewer than last year’s enrollment of 2,951.

“As you can see, a contributing factor to the low numbers can be attributed to our projections in kindergarten,” said superintendent of schools Rick Richardson.

A released document lists the projection of kindergarten enrollment at both George Watkins Elementary and New Kent Elementary to combine for a total of 232 students. The true number to date is 190 or 42 below the estimate.

Enrollment numbers fluctuate across the board among other grade levels. Currently, 658 students attend George Watkins, 655 attend New Kent Elementary, 676 are at New Kent Middle School, and 935 are occupying classrooms at New Kent High School.

While Richardson said he is concerned with revenue, he said funding from revenue will be based off March’s Average Daily Membership (ADM). More news of a possible enrollment increase came from Stephen King, who handles transportation for county schools.

“With new subdivisions finishing completion and going up for sale, it’s only a matter of time before we see more students.”

King commented about transportation issues and how buses are filling up at a rapid pace. More than 5,000 combined stops are made every day, with the longest bus route being a middle/high school route that lasts an hour and 10 minutes.

“Even when we removed a few students from one bus and placed them on another bus, it’s like more students move in and take their spot,” commented King.

“Right now, we’re in good shape, thanks to having cameras on every bus and drivers who do an excellent job knowing who is on their buses,” he concluded.

In Charles City, current enrollment is listed at 707 students as of Sept. 17. While that number is above Weldon Cooper Center’s projection of 698 for the division, it is below the 714 projected by interim finance director David Papenfuse, based on historical data and trends.

“It’s close and it’s early on in the year,” said Papenfuse. “I’m confident we will reach that figure.”

Charles City Elementary School has an enrollment of 326 students for grades K-5. Occupying the middle school are 166 students, while the high school’s enrollment is 215.

Schools will receive an early enrollment report on Sept. 30, with an ADM report in March to determine revenues provided by the state.