Portage schools enrollment down by 250 amid pandemic
Portage Public Schools has lost about 250 students this fall compared to last year’s enrollment. The decrease is about 2.8% of its student population.
The decline in enrollment was not unexpected and the number could still change ahead of the state’s annual Count Day in October.
The district is one of a few in Kalamazoo County to continue with in-person instruction despite the pandemic. Middle and high schools are currently online only, but elementary students have the option to take classes in-person or online. Just over half of elementary students have taken the in-person option.
The decline in enrollment will affect district funding, but thanks to a new funding mechanism at the state level it should be minimal. Funding will be mostly based on last year’s enrollment numbers in a move meant to limit the effects of the pandemic on schools’ bottom lines.
You can read the full story on MLive.
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