New system used for counting school students

By Denise Dick

denise_dick@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

A new method for counting students, based on enrollment for 180 days rather than only five days in October, will be used to determine school funding beginning this year.

“In Youngstown, I’m told we get more students later in the year, so we could benefit from the new system,” said Treasurer James Reinhard.

The changes are part of the new state budget bill, effective 2014-15.

“The Ohio Department of Education convened a group of school district representatives to advise on policies necessary to implement the new student count” and the new policies reflect a consensus of that group, according to an article from the Ohio Association of School Business Officials.

Under the old system, the funding was based on the average daily membership figured on the number of students enrolled the first week of October.

“We submitted that whenever we had it figured and adjustments had to be made” among schools, determining where students are enrolled, Reinhard said.

School funding, distributed to school districts twice monthly, was based on that figure.

In Youngstown, the trend has been that enrollment increases as the school year progresses.

Last year, for example, enrollment in the beginning of the school year about 700 students lower than at the end of the school year, school officials have said.

Under the new system, school districts must submit student enrollment by the end of October, March and June to the state.

“Instead of based on five days, it will be based on 180 days,” Reinhard said.

When districts will receive funding based on the new system hasn’t been determined. The funding received so far this year is based on the old system.