MOST DISTRICTS SEE ENROLLMENT DROP, BUT SCOTT CITY SEES GAIN

Scott City School District has experienced one of the largest enrollment gains among area school districts this year. Enrollments at Jackson and Oak Ridge school districts also are up.

Most other area schools saw their enrollments drop this year.

Based upon official counts taken Wednesday, Scott City schools Superintendent Roger Tatum said enrollment in his district increased to 1,072 this year. The 5.3 percent increase follows a slight dip the previous year.

"We're not sure what to attribute it to, but we're up about 55 students this year," said Tatum. "We're happy with it." All Missouri schools are required to submit enrollment figures to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on the last Wednesdays in September and in January. The figures, called benchmark membership counts, are used to calculate funding they receive for state programs.

Enrollment at Oak Ridge schools increased by seven to 364, while Jackson schools continued a decade-long enrollment boom with an enrollment jump from 4,484 to 4,556.

Although Jackson's enrollment gained only 1.6 percent this year, the trend fits with the estimated 3 percent growth rate the district has averaged annually, said Dr. Rita Fisher, assistant superintendent of instruction at Jackson schools.

"We've averaged 3 to 5 percent, so this fits in with our projections," Fisher said. "By driving around the county, we're still seeing growth in a lot of areas. Right now we don't see an end to it anytime soon." Cape Girardeau School District continued to see a slight decline in students, dropping a little less than 1 percent to 4,036. The district's enrollment went into a skid four years ago and has continued the downward trend.

Dr. Dan Steska, superintendent of Cape Girardeau schools, said the enrollment drop in his district appears to be leveling off, and he doesn't anticipate any major changes after construction of a new high school is completed in two years. Steska said the growth in neighboring districts is likely due to an increased desire by residents to live outside of larger cities.

"The rural lifestyle might be gaining attraction," he said. "I think people, generally speaking, are a little more willing to travel a little bit to get to jobs." School officials said they were unsure what affect area private and parochial schools are having on their enrollments, although Fisher said the new kindergarten program that opened at St. Paul Lutheran School this year may have contributed to decreased growth in Jackson schools. The schools are a good option for parents seeking a religious component for their children, they said.

"They are good for that, and it's an important factor for some parents," Steska said. "We think the quality of our district is a drawing card that also attracts parents."

COUNTING THE KIDS

Following are the enrollments for school districts as of Wednesday afternoon. Benchmark counts are taken on the last Wednesdays of September and January and reported to the state.

Cape County

Cape Girardeau

2000: 4,036

1999: 4,063

Percentage decline: .7 percent

Jackson

2000: 4,556

1999: 4,484

Percentage gain: 1.6 percent

Delta

2000: 313

1999: 340