By Don Rush

This Friday schools across Michigan are to have their final student count submitted to the state. According to Oxford Community School Pupil Accounting Specialist Barb Massie, the district projects the student count this year to be about 130 students less than the previous year.

Based on projections, in an email Massie stated the student count for the district will be about 6,670. Last year the district submitted to the state a total count of 6,800 students.

This year the district projects there will be about 1,750 students (for Oxford High School the Bridges and Crossroads Day School); about 960 Oxford Middle School students; about 2,100 Oxford Virtual Academy students; and about 1,860 students in the district’s elementary schools.

All states start their student counting on the first Wednesday in October each year. This year that date was Oct. 5.

According to Massie, the state “counts” membership through attendance in seated buildings and through completed documented activity in each enrolled course and/or weekly mentor communication logs for our virtual students (OVA and some at OHS).”

Massie said the counts are important for school districts because, “For the fall count each district receives 90% of the minimum foundation allowance of $9,200 per pupil if full membership is achieved. Full membership means attendance in all enrolled classes for seated students and a completed activity in each enrolled online class for virtual students.”