According to the preliminary Count Day numbers on Feb. 10, Oxford is currently down 50.58 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) students from the 5,673.55 unaudited fall count.
However, that 50.58 FTE figure could potentially change because the district has six weeks following the official count day for students to attend classes and be added to the numbers.
‘Over the last four years, we have averaged around 53 less FTE students on the preliminary count in February as compared to the October count,? said Superintendent Tim Throne. ‘So, it really wasn’t any big surprise to us that we were down (50.58).?
If the audited numbers come back at the (50.58), Throne estimated the district will lose approximately $33,700 in state funding.
Oxford receives a State Foundation Allowance of $7,300 per pupil. The February count only accounts for 10 percent of the state’s official formula to determine school enrollments. The remaining 90 percent comes is based on the October count.
‘It definitely is less revenue, but I wouldn’t say that it’s unanticipated less revenue,? he said. ‘We knew that more than likely this would happen (with this count) and therefore, it’s not a surprise.?
Throne noted on average, Oxford typically sees about 120 students in grades 9-12 leave the district between the two count days for various reasons such as changing schools and early graduations.
‘While it sounds like a lot that we lose 120 kids on average up at the high school, we usually add more than 120 in fall count numbers,? Throne said. ‘So, our overall numbers are staying the same or going up.?
Looking at the numbers and what Oxford has done over the years, Throne is proud. He believes the district’s programs have helped attract students.
‘I think our programming is good,? he said. ‘We’re continuing to invest in programming and I’m excited about next year and building upon what we’ve done this year already.?