cub
REPORTER
December 16, 2011
Lawrence Central High School, Indianapolis, Indiana
Volume 63, Issue 6
Fewer coming enrolled* 1377 1527 withdrawn* 150 Meredith Varie meredithvariecubcub@gmail.com Between state legislative and district policy changes, the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township has, for the seventh consecutive year, experienced a decline in enrollment. Count day, Sept. 16, showed a net loss of 384 students between the 20102011 school year and the 2011-2012 school year, the greatest net loss in the past ten years. Count day, a statewide enrollment calculation day, determines more than the number of students enrolled at a given school; state funding is determined on a per student basis according to the number of students enrolled at a school on Sept. 16.
Each person represents 10 students who have withdrawn from MSDLT between June 1 and Sept. 9, 2011. Color indicates where they are now.
*Based on the number of withdrawn students June 1 to Sept. 9 and the enrolled students Aug. 10 to Sept. 9, 2011
= private schools
= charter schools
= working
= homeschooling
= IPS
= area public schools
= other
Cub graphic/Samantha Strong
more going
“We currently receive $5,589.65 per of 89 students at LC, while LN lost a student counted on the DOE-ME. So net 149 students. The middle schools for each student we decline, we lose the lost 128 students, and the elementary $5,589.65,” chief financial officer and school enrollment decreased by 70 students. treasurer Robin Phelps But beyond the official said. ...since (2004/05), count day that provides As a declining enrollwe have had fewer schools with funding, enment township, MSDLT loses greater amounts students enrolled in rollments and withdrawof money each year; acMSDLT... this means als occur throughout the school year; from June 1 cording to a preliminary fewer dollars...” to Sept. 9, 1,527 students count in Sept., the loss of Robin Phelps withdrew from LT. From students equated approxichief financial officer Aug. 10 to Sept. 9, 1,377 mately $1.7 million, Phelps said. This preliminary count considered students enrolled in LT. In part, the loss of students is a rethe loss of just over 300 students. “Each year since the 2004/05 school sult of recent legislative and district polyear, we have had fewer students en- icy changes. The 2011 Indiana General rolled in MSDLT. Because the General Assembly brought historic education Fund is funded mainly by student count, reform, including the new voucher prothis means fewer dollars for the General gram and revised charter school laws. Through the voucher program, families Fund,” Phelps said. In 2011, according to data collect- may receive public tax dollars to attend ed on Count Day, there was a net loss p r i v a t e -Please see Enrollment on page 7
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