10-day numbers are in: 1,100 added to the rolls
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on September 13, 2010 1:46 PM
News-Argus/TROY HERRING
Eastern Wayne Middle seventh-grader Sawyer Smith goes through his notebook during class Monday morning. Eastern Wayne Middle was one of five schools in the county that have had to add a teacher this year because of higher-than-expected enrollment. Overall the district's 10-day numbers -- those official marks used by the state -- show 19,182 students in public schools.
Nearly 1,100 more students enrolled in Wayne County's 31 schools since classes resumed Aug. 25, prompting staff changes at six schools, officials announced.
Sept. 8 marked the 10th day of classes, the marker used by the state to determine class sizes and teacher allotments.
"Over the past 10 school days, enrollment has climbed from 18,147 students to 19,229 students," Superintendent Dr. Steven Taylor said. "The data also reflects that student populations are consistent with this time last year, with just slight increases or decreases in student enrollment.
"Overall, the district population is up 47 students, a slight increase from last year's 10th day of school."
In 2009, the initial count was 18,116 and by day 10 had risen to 19,182.
Several schools saw marked jumps during the initial days of the current school year.
Brogden Middle started out with 454 students and now has 487, while Brogden Primary enrolled 669 the first day and is now at 711, and Carver Heights Elementary started with 277 and now has 317 students.
Dillard Middle gained more than 100 additional students from the first day, when 478 students attended classes. By last week, there were 579 students there.
Wayne Academy, the county's alternative school, almost doubled its population. At the outset, there were 56 students, which has since risen to 106.
Several high schools also gained significant numbers over the first two weeks of school.
Goldsboro High School began with 438 students and now has 569, while Charles B. Aycock started with 1,152 and now has 1,191.
Southern Wayne enrollment rose from 967 to 1,035 and Spring Creek started out with 873 students and now has 941.
Preliminary numbers will result in staff changes at six schools, officials announced. Five schools will be able to add teaching positions and one will lose a position.
"Teacher allotments are based on class sizes and school population and the number of classes that are needed at schools," said Ken Derksen, public information officer for the school system. "Northwest Elementary will add one teacher, Rosewood Elementary will add two, Tommy's Road (Elementary) will add two teachers, one will be added at Eastern Wayne Middle and Grantham will add one teacher."
The one reduction will be at Dillard Middle School, Derksen said, explaining that a teacher did not return to the school this year so that position will be absorbed.
As for the other schools, principals will now be able to hire additional teachers.
The district's transportation department is also affected by the first 10 days of school, with staff now working on parent requests for bus stop changes and making adjustments to routes around the county.
Derksen also noted that this week marks the introduction of the district's new notification system, AlertNow. Schools will begin sending home automated attendance messages to parents. If a child is absent from school, a recorded message will contact parents later in the day.