On Wednesday, May 7, Superintendent Jody Monroe announced that the district would perform a six-month evaluation of enrollment and attendance zones at the elementary schools. The announcement comes amid enrollment changes that have affected the balanced distribution of students among the five schools (Eagle, Elsmere, Glenmont, Hamagrael and Slingerlands). Superintendent Monroe recommended the formal review during a presentation on elementary enrollment trends to the Board of Education, and suggested that some changes to current K-5 enrollment zones may be needed beginning in 2026-27.
“Some of our elementary schools are becoming underutilized while others are at or near capacity,” said Superintendent Monroe. “To balance the five elementary schools, we must look closely at what is driving these changes and examine options that create future flexibility for K-5 placement. Doing so would ensure we are using our resources efficiently and providing equitable access to instructional programs and quality support for all students.”
Despite an overall decline in K-5 enrollment, there have been notable increases in student populations at Eagle and Glenmont, Monroe said. Elsmere, Hamagrael, and Slingerlands have seen gradual but consistent enrollment losses over several years. Since the 2015-16 school year, total enrollment in grades K-5 has dropped by 4.2% districtwide. However, Eagle Elementary and Glenmont Elementary have seen increases of 5.3% and 9.5%, respectively, during the same ten-year period. In contrast, Elsmere, Hamagrael, and Slingerlands have experienced declines of 15.2%, 10.7%, and 13.5%, respectively.
Superintendent Monroe said that classroom use in each building has increased as the district has prioritized smaller class sizes, further impacting the schools where enrollment is growing. Since the pandemic, classrooms in grades K-5 have 19-20 students on average.
A copy of the May 7 Elementary Enrollment Trends presentation can be viewed here.
As part of the presentation, Monroe recommended that the district hire a private consultant to lead data analysis and the development of a community-focused plan for balancing enrollment in the five schools.
A committee of stakeholders, including administrators, teachers, and parents, will work with the consultant to analyze enrollment data and projections, assess current attendance zones, consider the impact of new or proposed housing developments, explore potential flex zones, and evaluate transportation routes. Any proposed changes to elementary enrollment zones would be presented to the Board of Education for consideration. If there were to be any changes, those changes would not become effective until the 2026-27 school year.
“If the committee finds that the trends we are seeing are likely to continue, there will be a need to make adjustments,” said Superintendent Monroe. “Having an expert lead this work will be important and the district will begin the process of interviewing consultants in the coming weeks.”
Superintendent Monroe said she expects the committee could have its initial meeting as early as June and would likely conclude its work by the end of 2025.
“Enrollment is the key to decision making in the district,” said Monroe. “Budget decisions, staffing, capital expenditures are all determined by student enrollment. The work of this committee will be important, not just for our schools but for student success.”