District reports certified enrollment down 170 students; board previews budget planning
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Summary
Superintendent Mike Degner told the board on Oct. 28 that certified enrollment fell by 170 students this year, exceeding the district's budgeted projection of a 40-student decline and prompting administrators to model more pessimistic budget scenarios.
Superintendent Mike Degner presented certified enrollment figures and Urban Education Network comparisons at the Oct. 28 board meeting and said the district is down 170 students this year, a larger decline than the administration's budget assumption of roughly 40 students.
Degner described several contributing factors: demographic trends and lower birth rates, flat English Learner (ELL) counts that previously provided growth, increased school choice/open enrollment dynamics and the state's expanded Education Savings Account (ESA) eligibility following the removal of an income cap. He noted that the district's open-enrollment pattern is unusual among UEN peers in that Iowa City gains students through open enrollment, and that when measured by students actually served ("butts in seats"), Iowa City ranks second in the state behind Des Moines.
The superintendent said budget planning will use updated projections and probably a more pessimistic enrollment assumption; he asked the board to consider outreach to the community about priorities the public values in case budget reductions become necessary. Directors asked for SSA (state supplemental aid) scenarios at multiple levels (including down scenarios) for next month's follow-up so the board can understand ramifications under varying state funding outcomes.
No action was taken; Degner said the district will return with updated projections and recommended budget adjustments during the budget-planning workshop.