Oxford sees slight drop in student enrollment

Student enrollment slipped very slightly in the Oxford School District following student count day on Feb. 6.
Based on the preliminary totals from the Sept. 2007 count, total enrollment dropped by only two students to 4,342 this winter.
‘Typically, at the second count we do get a reduction in students,? said Nancy Kammer, Deputy Superintendent of Oxford Schools. ‘Usually, as we go through the process and verify absences and attendence and so forth, that may change somewhat.?
Although the district only lost two students, it gained quite a few at the various school levels.
Daniel Axford, Lakeville and Leonard elementary schools saw an enrollment increase, totalling 16 students between each of them, while Oxford Elementary saw no changes either way.
Clear Lake Elementary, Oxford High School and Crossroads for Youth saw decreases, while Oxford Middle School gained seven more students.
A change in enrollment will mean more or less money from the state. Currently, Oxford receives $7,451 per student in per-pupil funding.
Funds from the state are based 75 percent on the fall count day and 25 percent on the winter count day. Seventy-five percent of the next school year’s money comes from the fall count.
‘We’re encouraged that we’re still growing in Oxford when many of the school districts are losing enrollment,? Kammer said. ‘We look forward to continuing to grow our attendance.?