Enrollment in Oxford Schools has increased by 106 students this year, giving the district a total of 4,202 pupils, according to preliminary numbers derived from a state-mandated head count conducted Sept. 28.
‘I would say that we at least meet or exceed what we were looking for as far as enrollment this year,? said Nancy Kammer, executive director of human resources for Oxford Schools.
On the fourth Wednesday of each September, the state requires school districts to count children attending classes and report that number as the primary basis on which they receive state funding.
Districts receive 75 percent of their state revenue based on the September count and 25 percent based on a count done on the second Wednesday of the prior February.
Kammer said given the district budgeted for ‘about 90 (more) students,? the preliminary 4,202-student count came as no great surprise to officials.
Included in the head count were absent students ? both excused and unexcused ? a practice which is allowed by the state, Kammer said.
However, in order for those absent students to count in the final numbers, the unexcused ones must return to school within 10 days of the head count, while the excused ones have 30 days to come back.
Once all the ‘adjustments? are made to the final numbers (i.e. absent students who didn’t return, part-time students, etc.) over ‘the next month or so,? Kammer expects the overall increase to remain at ‘approximately 95-100 students or so.?
This will result in a significant funding increase for the Oxford district.
According to Assistant Superintendent Ron Franey, the district received $6,958 per pupil in state funding last year.
‘That should go up another $175 (per student) this year,? he said.
Franey’s referring to the expected $175 per pupil increase if Gov. Jennifer Granholm signs the state House and Senate approved 2005-06 state budget as anticipated.
Franey said he’s ‘pretty sure? this will happen and Oxford’s new per-pupil figure will increase to $7,133.