The Newton School District has experienced another drop in certified enrollment and decreased State Aid. October 1st was the official certified enrollment date for schools across the state. That count was certified Tuesday. Newton Superintendent Tom Messenger says the district’s declining enrollment trend is continuing, so more state funding will be lost.  

“We are going to be down over 50 kids. State Aid is over $7,500 per student and every kid counts. That’s how we set our budget every year, based on enrollment.”

The Newton School District has been losing enrollment for several years. The decline prompted the school board last year to support the closing of two elementary buildings, Emerson Hough and Woodrow Wilson. The two other elementary schools, Thomas Jefferson and Aurora Heights, are getting renovations and additions so they can each accommodate up to 500 elementary students. The transition is to be completed by the fall of 2026. Newton School Superintendent Tom Messenger is the guest on today’s Let’s Talk Newton.