Maryland State Board of Education releases student enrollment data

WBAL-TV
Tim Wooten
January 14, 2016


BALTIMORE —Even though some Maryland school systems can boast about student growth, others are being forced to close buildings.

 

It's all based on new data released by the state Board of Education.

Every fall, school systems take a one-day snapshot of how many students show up for classes. It determines whether that particular district is losing or gaining students.

Statewide, enrollment is up 0.6 percent to a record 879,601 students. In our region, enrollment numbers are up in Howard, Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties. But that's not the case for Baltimore City, Harford County and Carroll County, where the district is set to close three schools this year.

"This enrollment projection was not unexpected," Carroll County School Superintendent Stephen Guthrie said.

Guthrie said the district has come up short more than 350 students and he expects the trend to continue.

"We've declined more rapidly than most, but it is a great concern to us not only because of the lack of students, but the lack of revenue," Guthrie said.

In spite of what the new enrollment numbers are showing, it's still hard to process for some Carroll County residents.

"I live out in Manchester and I feel like there's building out there and lots of families that are growing, so I am surprised," Carroll County resident Jackie Speights said.

"It does surprise me. I mean, with the influx of people coming in, so I would expect more kids to be around. It's not like it was when we were growing up. We had kids everywhere," Carroll County resident Glen Hawksford said.

It's been just the opposite in nearby Baltimore County. The district opened a new school in the fall and has another building on the drawing board. It's one of the many counties where school officials are keeping a very close watch on enrollment trends.

Get a closer look at statewide enrollment numbers below:

- 2015-2016 Student Publications (Maryland State Department of Education)
- Maryland Public School Enrollment report

READ MORE HERE