Despite Mandates Being Lifted, Public School Enrollment Still Down

Covid is becoming a thing of the past. Masks are no longer necessary in most businesses. The government no longer pushes injections that were meant to stop the virus. Even though schools are reopened, enrollment is down. Could this be a local issue? Let’s look at some facts.

Where Is School Enrollment Down?

Over 100 jobs are being eliminated by a school district in Kansas City. Seven schools are closing in Oakland, California. There will be 140 job cuts in the Olathe, Kansas public school system. The fall of 2021 saw Houston, Texas lose more than 22,000 students ^[1]. Of those still enrolled, only half have come back. As one can see, these enrollment issues are nationwide, not exclusive to Missouri alone.

Where Are These Students?

These students are being home-schooled or private schooled. As a result of the CRT movement, parents are increasingly involved in their children’s education. Transgenderism and false equity issues add to the flame. As a result of the virus, schools closed, so parents were instructed to home school their children. The parents were surprised at the little amount of learning their child was expected to accomplish while he or she was taking online classes. With the rise in home education, more options became available. Every subject was available in a teachable format. Consequently, both children and their parents excelled.

What Is The Problem?

The problems arise when public schools want to spend the same amount of money on fewer students. Teachers, librarians, janitors, bus drivers all need to get paid. With fewer students attending the public schools, less funding goes to the school system. While the COVID virus was encircling the country, the U.S. government issued helpful emergency provisions to schools and businesses to continue, adding resources as necessary.

What Are The Answers?

The superintendent of the Houston, Texas schools, Millard House, is asking the departments to cut $60 million from next year’s budget. Oakland’s answer to financial woes is to close schools. However, for them, the ACLU is filing a complaint stating they are closing too many schools for black students.

Public schools cannot operate the same way they had pre-pandemic. Although trying to offer each student the best education possible, a limited budget speaks loudly. As many schools break for the summer, financial issues will remain in their minds as they contemplate how to make ends meet in the fall.