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Schools

D-26 Weighs Declining Enrollment, Financial Options

Enrollment projections show further decline; BOE deals with nebulous numbers waiting for finalized teacher contract.

A 15-percent drop in enrollment through 2015 would mean fewer teachers would be needed at Cary Community Consolidated School District 26.

Enrollment is expected to drop to 2,370 students in 2015, about 440 fewer students than this year, according to a projection shown Monday night to the Board of Education.

“It’s not a surprise,” Supt. Brian Coleman said of the trend. “Younger families are not moving in and older families are not moving out.”

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Hiring five teachers next year – bringing the number of teachers to 150 – could mean decreasing the average class size to the “reasonable range” of 30 and below.

But the projected decline in enrollment over three years would mean just 137 teachers would be needed for the 2014-2015 school year to maintain the under-30 mark per classroom.

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The number of teachers, however, could return to 150 under one scenario if the Dist. 26 hires 13 teachers for restored “special” classes that were axed. That is if the school district can find more revenue. The “specials” are also known as foreign language, gym, art and music.

T. Ferrier, Dist. 26’s director of finance and operations, said the district would maintain a balanced budget and – for that to happen – needs to find $3.4 million in the next four years.

Next month the district will revise and finalize financial projections after a new teachers’ contract is finalized.

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