By Karla Pomeroy
Editor
Wyoming K-12 enrollment drops for first time in 10 years
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CHEYENNE - Fall K-12 enrollment data for Wyoming public schools for the 2017-18 school year shows that enrollment fell 0.3 percent to 92,976 students from 93,261 in the fall of 2016. This data was gathered from all school districts throughout the state in a snapshot performed on October 2, 2017.
This is the first drop in at least the past 10 years, according to the state data. In the fall of 2008, statewide enrollment was at 86,519, and rose steadily until this year.
Washakie County School District No. 1 (Worland) showed a drop of 55 students, according to the state figures, dropping from 1,329 last year to 1,274 this year.
Worland Superintendent David Nicholas reported last month that the district’s enrollment was down 62 students from a year ago.
Business manager Jack Stott said that will have an impact on next year’s budget. He said the state uses a three-year rolling average, which means an average enrollment loss of 30 to 40 students. He said if you multiply that by $10,000 that would be close to the loss the district would suffer through the state funding formula based in part on average daily membership.
Ten years ago, according to state data, Worland had 1,306 students.
For Washakie County School District No. 2 (Ten Sleep), enrollment dropped by 10 students from 112 to 102 this year. They are up, however, from 10 years ago, when they had 94 students in the fall, according to state data.
Hot Springs County District 1 showed an increase from 658 last year to 673 this year. They were at 655 10 years ago.
Big Horn County School District 4 dropped from 280 to 266 this year. Ten years ago enrollment was at 329.
Big Horn County School District 3 dropped from 498 to 476. Ten Years ago enrollment was at 502.
For Park County District 16 (Meeteetse), state data shows enrollment remaining fairly steady over 10 years. Enrollment dropped just two students from 123 last year to 121 this year. The district had an enrollment of 122 10 years ago.
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Online: Wyoming Enrollment — https://edu.wyoming.gov/data/statisticalreportseries-2/
