Fewer students, less cash for area schools

Both Brandon and Goodrich school districts expect to see a loss in state funding for the 2007-2008 school year after the statewide winter student count last week.
Brandon Superintendent Tom Miller anticipates the district is down about 25 students, the majority from the high school. The decrease will mean a reduction of about $175,000 in funding, and he expects the board will look at each line item in the budget to determine where cuts will be made.
In Goodrich, Joy Moll, executive assistant to Superintendent Kim Hart, said the district is down about 14 students, split nearly evenly between the middle school and high school. The loss will mean a decrease of about $97, 420 in funding for next school year.
Linda DeCamp, business manager for Goodrich Schools, does not expect the numbers to turn around.
‘Because homes are not selling, I don’t expect new families to be moving in,? she said.
‘The whole state is losing students, we aren’t exempt.?
Last September, Brandon School District lost enrollment while Goodrich posted a slight increase in students.