A count of students from the first day of school showed an initial uptick in those attending the Pella Community School District this academic year.

A total of 2391 students were registered on August 23rd, according to Superintendent Greg Ebeling. He says budget reductions that will result in north of $1 million in cuts over the previous and current fiscal year were based on projections of declining enrollment — but cautions the count they have is not the certified amount that impacts the general fund budget. Ebeling says they will certify that number of resident-based students on October 1st, and then determine how many dual-enrolled or open-enrolled students are factored in by December for future planning purposes.

The majority of student population growth is occurring at Pella Middle School and Pella High School, according to the data shared by district administration at this week’s Pella School Board meeting.

Hear more about the Pella Community School District on Thursday’s Let’s Talk Pella.