Certified enrollment down for Decorah Community Schools

The certified enrollment for Decorah Community Schools is down 49.69 students for 2017 as of the October submission to the Iowa Department of Education. That leaves the certified enrollment at 1,634.91.  Factors influencing the lower enrollment include one of the smallest kindergarten enrollment in years, last year's graduating class being one of the largest in recent history, and fewer open enrollments and "move-ins" to the district.  Officials say that this is likely a blip and not a trend. However, that reduction in numbers will influence funding next year; state funding per student is about $6200.

As expected, on Monday night the  Decorah Community School Board approved the whole grade sharing agreement with North Winneshiek School for students grades 7-12 beginning the 2017 school year. This expands the agreement from grades 9-12.  Superintendent Mike Haluska said he anticipates that will bring about 20-25 additional students into the district. Decorah will get "on-time" funding for those students which will help offset the decreased funding noted above.