New military families in D-20 boost school enrollment

Academy School District 20 gained about 550 students this year, according to preliminary enrollment figures.

Officials attribute the growth to increased enrollment at the Academy Online High School and the home-school supplemental program. The online school has 118 students, double last year’s enrollment, D-20 spokeswoman Nanette Anderson said.

But the biggest factor, Superintendent Mark Hatchell told the D-20 board this week, is an influx of military families. Hatchell said 94 new Army families are in housing at the Air Force Academy, and others have moved into district neighborhoods.

The influx means more per pupil dollars for the district from the state, which is good news in a year when K-12 education is likely to take a significant state budget hit. The governor last week proposed a $260 million cut to the state’s K-12 education budget for next year.

The new students mean D-20’s enrollment is up about 2.5 percent over last year, when the state count showed 21,917 students in the district.

The board also heard a preliminary report from its auditors, who said there were no significant deficiencies in the district’s annual audit, and no significant adjustments were proposed. A full report will be presented at the Dec. 10 board meeting.

In other action Thursday, the board said farewell to President Ann Elrod and welcomed newly elected director Catherine Bullock. Elrod served two terms on the board, making her ineligible for re-election.

Bullock and re-elected incumbents Doug Lundberg and Linda Van Matre were sworn into office. Lundberg was elected board president, Van Matre was chosen as vice president and Vicki Taylor was named treasurer.
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