Melfort and Unit Comprehensive Collegiate is one of the few NESD schools that saw a surplus in enrolment for 2019-20 (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff).

By Aaron Schulze

Enrollment Down

NESD enrolment down slightly, could result in funding loss of $130,000

Oct 22, 2019 | 4:48 PM

The North East School Division (NESD) faced a slight decrease in student enrolment for the 2019-20 academic year.

As of Sept. 30, total enrolment for the NESD sits at 4,884 students, which is down by 59 compared to the 4,943 students during the same date in 2018. The numbers were revealed during the NESD’s board of education meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

L.P. Miller Comprehensive Collegiate in Nipawin faced the largest decline of 29 students, while Melfort and Unit Comprehensive Collegiate had the largest increase of students with 25. Other noticeable decreases include Maude Burke Elementary School in Melfort and Tisdale Elementary School as they’re down 23 and 25 students respectively.

Don Rempel, NESD’s director of education, expected a small decrease in enrolment due to the unfortunate trend the northeast has seen.

“Maude Burke was a surprise to us because it’s had healthy enrolment and a healthy amount of families moving into the area, even if some families leave as well,” Rempel said. “Our projected enrolment is generally down a little bit year over year and this year our projected enrolment was to have fewer students. Our actual enrolment in September was even fewer students.”

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Some schools such as Wagner Elementary in Nipawin with 24 were able to bring in more students than in 2018, but it wasn’t enough to make up for the total decrease.

While some public schools have taken a hit on numbers, students learning at home became more popular.

Home schooling in the NESD is at 153 students for 2019-20, up by 11 from 2018. Rempel said the NESD still receives funding from the provincial government for home schooled students and parents or guardians are recognized and supported by the NESD.

Funding from the province is based on the actual enrolment by Sept. 30. Because of the 59 student decrease, Rempel said the NESD expects to receive nearly $130,000 less in provincial funding.

However, the NESD received an update on its financial status, and doesn’t expect a potential $130,000 drop in funding to interfere with the 2019-20 budget.

“Traditionally, we end our budget year not expending as much of our accumulated surplus as we anticipated,” Rempel said. “If our revenue declines by $130,000 over the course of this school year, it’s likely our budget can absorb that hit. Budgets are annual cycles, but there’s also the long view of things, and that amount of money can be absorbed within our operating budget in the current year and shouldn’t have impact on further operations.”

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow