Grand Forks Public School District had 6,617 students in grades K-12 report to school on the opening day this week, 47 fewer students than last year's opening day number, 6,664.
But the headcount is 95 students more than were enrolled on the final day of school last spring.
This is a very positive opening day enrollment report, according to Superintendent Larry Nybladh.
"The School District has been experiencing a trend of enrollment decline for a number of years, and this data tells us the trend is not currently escalating," he said in a statement.
While the Grand Forks city schools have seen an overall increase in enrollment since last spring, the Grand Forks Air Force Base schools have seen a decrease. The opening day enrollment number at the Air Force base schools was 437 students, down 75 from last spring and a 107 student decrease from last fall's opening enrollment of 534, a decline of 20 percent.
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This trend was forecast by School District administrators, according to Nybladh, superintendent of both districts.
"Throughout the coming year, we will continue to monitor the outmigration of the base population and plan for the future of the district's operations," he said.
The school boards of both districts have had ongoing discussion regarding optimal school size and the future of the base's schools. According to Nybladh, the opening day enrollment will provide a basis for continuation of those discussions this year.
"I'm encouraged by the slight increase in enrollment in the majority of the district's elementary schools," said Jody Thompson, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning.
According to Thompson, this is a positive indicator for the future as the enrollment numbers stabilize or increase in the district's elementary schools. That in turn means positive future enrollment in the district's secondary schools.
At the upcoming school board meeting scheduled for Monday, district administration will provide a full report regarding opening day enrollment and district enrollment trends.
