Parkland School District Enrollment Has Stabilized

With student enrollment having stabilized, Parkland School District does not expect to have to add teacher or staff positions for the 2011-2012 school year, according to information presented at a school board meeting.

Assistant Superintendent Richard Sniscak, in his presentation to the board on Dec. 21, said the total number of students in its eight elementary schools, two middle schools and high school has been "fairly static." 

That's in contrast to the growth the district experienced as recently as five years ago, as new housing developments added to enrollments. The district opened the Fred J. Jaindl elementary school, its eight elementary school, last fall.

The district is one of the largest in the state. It educates about 9,400 students and employs 1,400 people.

According to Sniscak, the enrollments are as follow:

• At the elementary schools, a total of 3,933 students.
• At the middle schools, a total of 2,228 students.
• At the high school, 3,173 students.

Also, Sniscak said 34 employees have 35-plus years with the district and are eligible to retire, but that the district won't know until mid-January whether anyone plans to do so. Over the next five years, an additional 40 employees will have 35-plus years in public education.

The district is examining its enrollments and staffing as it prepares for the 2011-2012 budget. Officials are bracing for a difficult budget process because of uncertainties in state and federal funding and a local tax base affected by the economic downturn.