A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to an in-depth presentation on the district’s enrollment trends, led by a presenter who provided comprehensive data and analysis. The presenter highlighted a fluctuating student population over the past 17 to 18 years, with the district’s Average Daily Membership (ADM) ranging between 3,100 and 3,500 students since the 2006-2007 school year. More recently, a decline in enrollment was observed, particularly in elementary grades, attributed to smaller incoming classes. This trend poses a long-term challenge for maintaining stable enrollment numbers.

The district’s ADM was projected to end the year with approximately 3,098 students. While this figure was corroborated by financial advisers using alternate models, there remains uncertainty about final enrollment numbers. The board was cautioned that the typical trend shows a loss in ADM by the year’s end compared to the initial October 1 count.

An observable trend since 2020 is the increased preference for online schooling options, a shift partly attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The local online provider in Albert Lea was recognized as a favorable option, yet several students—18% of those who open-enrolled out of the district—chose online education elsewhere. This prompted discussions about investigating the reasons behind families leaving the district and enhancing a campaign aimed at encouraging returning students, complemented by a survey to gather insights.

Demographic changes were another focal point, with notable shifts in race and ethnicity statistics from 2014 to 2024. The American Indian student population increased from 0.12% to 1.3%, the Asian population rose from 2.37% to 11.3%, and the Hispanic or Latino students grew from 19.64% to 24.2%. Meanwhile, the white student population decreased from 73.51% to 57%. This growing diversity within the district underscored the need for support structures to accommodate these changes.

Further analysis revealed an increase in the English learner population, which rose from 7.92% to 11.6%, alongside a slight increase in the special education population. The homeless student population saw a notable rise from four to 29. Discussions touched upon various funding strategies to address rising costs, including the potential use of compensatory funding.

Broader trends in Freeborn County were also examined, with a natural population decrease noted over three years due to more deaths than births. The growing foreign-born resident population aligned with the demographic changes seen within the school system. Addressing housing shortages was highlighted as an imperative for supporting community growth, with a projection for at least 500 new housing units needed over the next five years.

The board explored the connection between housing availability and student population, referencing a study by demographer Hazel Reinhard. The intention to conduct a community demographic analysis every four years was reaffirmed, with the next study scheduled for 2027.

Current enrollment figures were detailed for various elementary schools: Helverson Elementary with 289 students, Hawthorne Elementary with 363 students, Lakeview with 418 students, and Si Elementary with 282 students. The challenges of declining class sizes were noted, especially as elementary enrollment was projected to fall below 1,200 students, down from approximately 1,350.

Financial implications of declining enrollment were discussed, as revenue is based on a per-pupil formula. The board was reminded of their financial responsibilities and the potential risk to the district’s strong fund balance if adjustments were not made. A desire for a deeper understanding of migration patterns was expressed, with requests for a breakdown of open enrollment data to better understand student movement in and out of the district.