Howell schools will take new look at enrollment
BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer

HOWELL- In the face of a declining K-8 school enrollment, the Howell Board of Education has hired T&M Associates to conduct a demographic study of the school district as it plots a course for the future.

According to information provided by the school district, the K-8 enrollment in Howell schools has dropped from 7,386 pupils in 2003 to 7,276 pupils in 2004, to 7,243 pupils in 2005, before showing an increase to 7,289 pupils in 2006, and then a drop to 7,084 pupils as of Oct. 15, 2007.

Acting on a recommendation from its facilities committee, the board awarded two contracts to T&M Associates. A demographic study to be conducted by the firm will cost $3,500 and a feasibility study of a full-day kindergarten program will cost $1,200.

Board member Robert Antonaccio, who chairs the facilities committee, said, "We realized that we needed to do a study because our numbers have gone down."

He said the enrollment numbers are contrary to information that was contained in the most recent demographic study that was performed for the board.

"The last study showed that enrollment would increase and at this time we would expect to have 8,000 students,"Antonaccio said.

He said the most likely indicators as to why enrollment has dropped is the current climate of the housing market and the lingering effects of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

According toAntonaccio, T&MAssociates was chosen to conduct the study because of the firm's prior relationship within the school district and the municipality. These factors made the firm a favorable candidate, he said.

Afeasibility study of a full-day kindergarten program will indicate if that is something school administrators may wish to pursue, he said.

"Due to the budget and (flat) state aid (for a number of years) we have been unable to consider a full-day kindergarten," Antonaccio said.

Assistant Superintendent of Schools Karen Jones said the feasibility study of a full-day kindergarten program was not required, however, administrators are curious as to what impact a full-day kindergarten would have.

Antonaccio said these studies will help the district's leaders predict what will happen in the coming years and give administrators a sense of direction.