Santa Cruz County public schools estimate low enrollment in the next 10 years
WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV): A report from the California Department of Finance is projecting a drop in enrollment in public schools by 17% in the next 10 years in Santa Cruz County.
The California Department of Finance graph shows the 2023-2024 fiscal year there is more than 37,000 students enrolled in public schools in Santa Cruz County and the numbers will slowly keeps diminishing in the years to come.
"We're experiencing an annual drop of about 2% in santa cruz county." said Dr. Faris Sabbah, Superintendent of Santa Cruz County schools.
Dr. Sabbah said the drop of enrollment varies within each district.
"It's important to note that this drop is not an equal across the county," said Dr. Sabbah. "There are some school districts experiencing drops at higher levels than others, and that tells us, some families are moving to one part of the county into another part of the county."
One district that is grappling with the drop of enrollment is the largest school district in the county, Pajaro Valley Unified. Interim Superintendent, Murry Schekman said when he left the district in 2015 student enrollment was a little over 21,000.
When he came back last year, it was a little over 15,000.
"That's a 26% drop." said Interim Superintendent, Schekman.
Schekman said housing is huge factor.
"The primary reason is the cost of homes," said Interim Superintendent Schekman, "People can find a job but to be able to buy a home? a teacher for example by him or herself could not buy a home."
Interim Superintendent Sckekman said they've also lost students to charter and private schools and right now, they're working to encourage families to enroll their children to public schools.
"Hiring the best teachers and doing great work in the class," said Interim Superintendent Schekman. "Focusing on our statewide test and seeing those scores go up, that's how our enrollment, that's how we can get families to sign up and enroll who are possibly choosing not."
School officials said they're also looking into having more housing for employees.
"I think it's important to note that there is new housing developed across the county." said Superintendent of Santa Cruz County schools, Dr. Sabbah.
Dr. Sabbah said many of that is low income housing and he also said some districts are looking into to develop employee housing. On February 29 the district has a board study session on declining enrollment, they will be bringing in experts from other districts that have been dealing with declining enrollment for years.
