news-record.com

After 10 days of class, school officials say enrollment is nearly 1,000 students below projected numbers. There are 71,471 students attending the county school system, according to a survey conducted today.

This year's 10-day total is almost 300 students more than last year's 10-day total.

Officials will survey the schools again at the 20-day mark. Totals are expected to fluctuate.

Board of education officials are expected to discuss moving some faculty and staff to address enrollment demands during their meeting Thursday night.

Dudley High School leads the system in schools with enrollment over the projected number. Today's survey put enrollment at 1,518 students, 96 more than estimated.

But many schools are below anticipated enrollment including Jesse Wharton Elementary reporting enrollment at 871 students, 91 fewer than expected and Ragsdale High School reporting 1,495 students, 95 fewer than expected. With an enrollment of 135 fewer students than projected, Northeast Middle School has the largest discrepancy - fewer or more students - of any school with enrollment reported at 837 students.

Northwest High School reported the largest enrollment with 2,108 students reported in attendance.

Projected enrollment is based in part on birth rates for the county, previous enrollment numbers and other data.