Document text
High school enrollment spikes Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell South Medford High School sophomores Jillian Smith, left, and Alyssa Hooper head home from classes Wednesday. Enrollment surges at both South and North Medford high schools this year helped bring the district's total enrollment to its highest ever. By DAMIAN MANN A surge in high school enrollment has pushed the student population to record levels at Medford schools, providing the district with a potential $500,000 windfall following a recent round of budget cutbacks. The two high schools gained 302 students total this year, accounting for most of the 326-student increase. Elementary enrollment rose by just 31 students, while the middle schools posted a decrease of seven students. Last year at this time, 12,158 students were enrolled compared to 12,484 so far this year - a 2.7 percent increase. The district had anticipated a 1.5 percent increase, or roughly 200 students. "That's the largest enrollment we've ever had," said Superintendent Steve Wisely. "That's a little bigger jump than we anticipated." More for Medford Enrollment has surged in the Medford School District this year. The following are totals from the first day of school this year and last: 2001 2000 High schools 3,936 3,634 Middle schools 1,896 1,903 Elementary 6,652 6,621 Total 12,484 12,158 Source: Medford School District With more students, the district will get more money. The state sends about $5,000 for each student, so with another 100 students more than anticipated, the district will receive about $500,000 beyond budget projections. "That helps pay the bills," said Wisely. "Enrollment is dollars and cents." It could also help the district recover from a budget shortfall of $1.8 million that forced a reduction of 32 positions through attrition. As a result, class sizes have been increased by about two students at the elementary schools. The student population could soar to 13,000 by the end of September, as the district typically picks up 500 students in its first month of school, he said. Already, North Medford is bulging at the seams with 2,030 students as of Tuesday, while South Medford reported 1,906. Medford schools projected a 1.5 percent increase at the beginning of the school year, a figure used to calculate the current budget. Last year, the district posted a slight enrollment increase of just 0.3 percent compared to average annual increases of 2 percent. Enrollment increased by 8.2 percent during a five-year period at Medford's 18 schools. Wisely said the district is reviewing whether it needs to augment staff to accommodate the additional students. Enrollment may be technically down at the middle schools, but Hedrick and McLoughlin actually have more students. A sixth-grade pilot project allows 232 students to attend classes at these schools, though they are still calculated as elementary students. Besides helping the district make a transition to a sixth- through eighth-grade middle school program, the pilot project also takes some of the burden off elementary schools that have swollen to more than 500 students. Both North and South Medford high schools already have juggled classroom space to accommodate the extra students. North Medford Principal Doug McKenzie said some classrooms have students numbering in the mid-30s. "It's very, very tight out there," he said. By the end of the day Wednesday, McKenzie reported 2,060 students at his campus. Most teachers at his school already must share classrooms to handle the student load, he said. South Medford Principal Cynda Rickert said classroom sharing has increased at her school. "It's an inconvenience, but everyone seems to be handling it well," she said. So far, Rickert's school has found a place for all its new students. "It's amazing," she said. "There are a lot of bodies out there." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.