Knoxville’s certified enrollment numbers are looking to be up 16 students compared to last year. Although the numbers are tentative, Superintendent Randy Flack reported an estimate of 1,961 students counted for the district this month, compared to 1,945 students in August 2008.

One of the primary factors in a school budget is enrollment. With state-funding estimates at around $5,700 per student, 16 students could mean another $91,200 for the district. The tentative numbers were estimated after calculating open-enrolled students attending school in and out of the district. The official numbers will be certified on the district-wide “count day” October 1st.

However, Flack says the numbers, although an increase, will still be the second-lowest in the past 10 to 12 years. There’s also larger classes in the high school than in the elementary, and Flack says overall enrollment might still decline slightly in coming years.

Following 2009-2010 budget-reduction talks last spring, Flack says an advisory committee is being formed from community, school board, and administration members to advise ways the district could provide quality programs with district restructuring and fewer facilities. However, Flack stressed the committee has not yet been formed and future discussion will take place at a later date.

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