Schools release 10-day counts
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on September 13, 2015 1:50 AM
Enrollment numbers are down in Wayne County Public Schools, with officials reporting 359 fewer students this year than last.
The traditional school calendar had the bulk of students in the 33 schools returning on Aug. 24, making Friday, Sept. 4, the 10th day, which is the benchmark used by the state to determine funding and teacher needs.
The official calculation had 17,585 showing up on the first day of classes, rising to 18,748 by Day 9, Sept. 3, and dipping to 18,725 on that Friday, which was the lead-in to the Labor Day weekend.
Traditionally, numbers climb steadily over the initial days of school. Most years, by Day 10, the district is holding steady at more than 19,000.
This marks the first in recent years it did not reach 19,000.
In 2014, the 10th day enrollment was 19,084, below the previous year's figure of 19,355. The year before that, in 2012, it had been at 19,240.
Even in 2008 -- the year the district experienced a tropical storm, bus delays caused by heavy rains, an early dismissal and a holiday, all which happened during the first 10 days of school -- enrollment was up by 44 students, with 19,333.
First-day numbers have typically been lower, attributed to families moving in from other districts or parents holding their children out until after Labor Day.
This year's opening day enrollment was 17,585. That was the trend in previous years. In 2012, 18,374 turned out on the first day, with 17,864 in 2013 and 17,756 in 2014.
Only seven schools this year had more students on Day 10 than the previous year.
Charles B. Aycock, the county's largest high school, had eight more students, going from 1,272 last year to 1,280.
Edgewood Community Developmental School also had a spike in numbers, from 124 to 136.
Fremont STARS Elementary had 236 students last year and rose to 254.
Goldsboro High increased by 28, with 574 compared to 546 last year.
Greenwood Middle had 474 last year and 482 this year, while neighbor Meadow Lane Elementary went from 636 to 649.
School Street Elementary added seven students this year, bringing it from 180 to 187.
The biggest drops in enrollment were at seven schools, with the most being at Dillard Middle School, which had 78 fewer students -- 488 compared to 566 last year.
Norwayne Elementary had 58 fewer students, from 963 to 905, while Brogden Middle went from 557 to 503. Both North Drive and Northwest elementary schools lost 51, going from 485 to 424 and from 798 to 747, respectively.
Mount Olive Middle's enrollment was down by 47, from 457 to 410, while the roster at Eastern Wayne Elementary was reduced by 45, from 748 to 703.
Two former schools in the Grantham and Spring Creek communities became four schools with the completion of two new middle schools, making an enrollment comparison difficult.
Now that the 10-day tally is in, another work effort begins, said Ken Derksen, director of communication services for the district.
"Administrators will review enrollment data to determine if any allotment changes need to be made in regards to teacher placement," he said. "The Transportation Department will also review bus stop requests to determine if any changes need to be made along routes."