LMSD Presenting Enrollment Growth Report Sept. 25

ARDMORE, PA – Lower Merion School District has released results from its analysis on enrollment growth and how to address it recently. Officials will present a summary of the report at a Sept. 25 public meeting.

The report, "Tomorrow’s Students, Today’s Challenges: Assessing and Addressing LMSD’s Growing Enrollment," contains an overview and evaluation of District facilities as they relate to current use and future needs based upon updated building capacity information, enrollment projections and District analysis at all ten schools, according to the district. The report also features an analysis of responses to a June community survey on enrollment growth and the district's strategic plan.

A summary of the report will be presented at a Facilities Public Workshop meeting on Monday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m. Monday, Sept 25 in the board room at the Lower Merion School District Administration Building, 301 E. Montgomery Ave., Ardmore.

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“The District, as it plans for growth, is committed to involving the community in the process. While there is no perfect solution, we remain steadfast in our commitment to students while being aware of community concerns and local, state and national decisions that impact our actions,” Superintendent Robert Copeland said.

You can see the full report online here.

A follow up Facilities Public Workshop will be held on Monday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.

The district project an enrollment increase of nearly 1,000 students over the next six years and created the report to address the projection.

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"Members of the public have an opportunity to review the work that has been done to date, as well as the issues that have been evaluated as the District plans for growth. The comprehensive assessment examines the District’s history of enrollment growth, the factors that will impact growth and current conditions and considerations," School Board President Dr. Robin Vann Lynch said. "This information, as well as the District’s core values, which include maintaining current academic, co-curricular and extracurricular programming, class size targets and strategic plan implementation – all while being mindful of ongoing district fiscal constraints -- will figure prominently into all future decisions."

The district has placed a priority on including the community in the facilities planning process.

Since 2012, nearly 100 public meetings have been held to discuss enrollment and facilities, the district said.

In April, the district distributed a newsletter, "Tomorrow's Students, Today's Challenges: Planning for Growth and Achievement in Lower Merion School District," describing strategies and considerations for facilities planning during this era of significant enrollment increases.

Facilities meetings were held May 22 and June 14 to provide the community with additional opportunities to learn about the specific challenges each building is experiencing and to ask questions.

Additional enrollment information is available in the “Enrollment Planning” section of the District website and is updated regularly.

“As we consider enrollment growth and facilities issues K-12 at all ten schools, I urge community members to familiarize themselves with the information, as it will guide the District’s decision-making and the considerations needed from Lower Merion Township Commissioners in the upcoming months,” Lynch said.

Image via Lower Merion School District