Projections Show Growth in Enrollment, Analysis Finds

In their study of whether to close an elementary school, Katonah-Lewisboro School District officials are not considering the impact of home sales on elementary enrollment.   But concerned school community members are considering that impact. And armed with new information, they are considering how a school closure could lead to disastrous consequences. 

That's a risk we don't think the district should take.

A new analysis by a community member, K-L School District: Enrollment Data, Demographics & Enrollment Projections, finds:

• The current enrollment level is not uncharted territory - it is roughly equal to enrollment levels from 1990s

• The current projected enrollment does not take in to account net student inflows from existing home sales

• Projected enrollment, adjusted for an average level of existing home sales, suggests enrollment will grow again in the future

• Closing an elementary school has a minimal impact on projected per pupil operating expenses

• The current budget & balance sheet of KLDS is healthy

Conclusions from the analysis include:

• The current student enrollment level is within the normal historical range

• Given annual savings of $1.7M, the incremental cost to defer a decision on closing one or two elementary schools for an extra two years is $3.4M

• This amount appears to be inconsequential to the overall budget and current financial situation

• The future stability of KLDS enrollment depends on existing home sales to young families

• Closing a school may make the area less attractive to prospective young family buyers

For more information, visit www.saveKLschools.org.