BY MATT MACKINDER
Clarkston News Staff Writer
After a delay due to snow, Clarskton Community Schools had its Student Count Day on Feb. 13.
“We do not have official numbers yet, but our preliminary counts are consistent with what we saw in the fall,” said Superintendent Shawn Ryan. “Current head counts from fall 2018 to spring 2019 indicate we are down five students to 7,227 (preliminary). It is normal to see a drop from the fall to spring count.”
Students not at school that day have a month to be counted, Ryan said.
“We won’t have solid numbers until closer to that 30-day return date of March 15, 2019,” he said.
Count Day is a key determinant of state funding, he said.
The spring count day is on the second Wednesday of February and counts for 10 percent of state funding. Fall counts occur on the first Wednesday in October and represent 90 percent of state funding, he said.
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School days canceled by this winter’s severe weather are adding up for Clarkston Community Schools.
Ryan noted most of the district’s buildings have had 11 snow days so far, while Clarkston High School, North Sashabaw Elementary, and Sashabaw Middle School are at 12 days due to building issues.
“Six days are allowed by the state, and an additional three may be granted with a waiver, which we will apply for,” said Ryan. “We can’t say for certain that there won’t be any more school closings due to weather, and therefore, can’t speculate on what this means for the school calendar.”