Superintendent Cara Casimero presented a preliminary October 1 enrollment snapshot to the Danbury Board of Education showing 11,430 students districtwide and indicating a modest decline from the previous school year.

Casimero told the board the October 1 snapshot is "not certified" and that the district's data team continues to reconcile records; she noted the figure had already changed by about 45 students since the slide was prepared. Casimero said typical registration surges occur before school opens and again in January and February, and the board would receive a final, certified number after the district completes state reporting.

Casimero and staff highlighted two categories showing notable movement: the district's English-learner (multilingual) share decreased from 37.6% last year to 36.5% in the current snapshot, and counts for students eligible for free and reduced-price meals were also down. Board members asked staff about grade-level impacts; Casimero replied decreases were "well distributed" but noted "younger grades" and ninth grade showed modest dips. Kelly (special education staff) said preschool special-education enrollment showed a slight dip but added there are additional students still being certified.

Casimero also presented enrollment by sending town for the district's alternative program (AIS), reporting 258 Danbury students enrolled there and smaller numbers from surrounding towns. Board members asked about capacity and the district's ability to enroll additional out-of-town students; staff said capacity varies by grade and that the district may be able to add approximately 30-40 students depending on grade-level seat availability.

The board received the report for information and asked staff to return with certified October 1 data once state submission is complete.