Preliminary enrollment counts up this fall

With the first official enrollment count of 2007-2008 due Friday, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Bill Jordan reported to school board members last night preliminary "head count" tallies are up nearly 200 students from this time last year.

As of Tuesday, head count numbers were 6258 compared to 6091 last September 1.

One reason for the bump in enrollment to start the year is the addition of the Columbia Virtual Academy extension of the Homelink program at Berney Elementary. Currently 110 students are enrolled with this number possibly growing as the school year continues.

Jordan noted the districts 2007-08 budget was based on 5700 Full-time Equivalent (FTE) students. He said by Fridays official count hell have a clear picture on the districts FTE count.

Jordan said he is encouraged by the early enrollment figures and will continue to closely monitor student counts.