Hamilton Southeastern (HSE)Schools projected the number of kindergartners expected to be signed up for classes this fall at this point in the enrollment period, and so far the actual number of new kindergartners is 200 pupils below projections.
HSE Schools Chief Financial Officer Mike Reuter says there could be a flurry of parents enrolling their children at the last minute, but even with that. the numbers are likely to be below the projection.
If you need to sign your child up for kindergarten at HSE Schools, use this link for more information.
The enrollment numbers were discussed as part of a wide-ranging work session with school board members and administrators on what to do about the 30 portable classrooms being utilized for the coming school year to allow for smaller class sizes.
School administrators provided several options to board members, including doing nothing and continuing with the portable classrooms. Other options discussed were:
–Expanding Durbin Elementary by adding 16-18 classrooms. However, a sewer line would need to be extended, which would be expensive for the school system.
–One additional elementary school could be constructed.
–Additional classrooms could be constructed at all but 3 elementary school buildings.
Several board members said they wanted a new demographic study. The last study was presented to the board in 2014 with a ten-year enrollment projection that has been very close to accurate up to now.
Reuter says the largest enrollment in the upcoming school year is in the 7th grade.
School Superintendent Allen Bourff says the next step is the look at the financial picture for HSE Schools and fit that into any option the board may consider.
The board also received an update from Facilities Manager Harry Delks on projected maintenance needs for school building over the coming ten years. The most money would go the Hamilton Southeastern High School with $15.4 million over the ten years. Fishers Junior High would get $8.3 million, Fall Creek Junior High $7 million and Cumberland Road Elementary $6.7 million. The plan would spend $5 million on maintenance for the remainder of 2016 and $10 million per year from 2017 through 2025. Delks emphasized to board members that this plan is his best educated guess and it is a “living document.”