Wisconsin public-school enrollment drops across 68 of 72 counties

Public-school enrollment has dropped this academic year across Wisconsin, continuing “a decades-long trend” and threatening district budgets.

“According to a Wisconsin Policy Forum Report released in July, by percentages the state’s PreK through 12th grade student enrollment has decreased more than the nation’s as whole in the 21st century — though the gap between Wisconsin and national averages has narrowed since 2020,” Wisconsin Public Radio observed.

Sixty-eight of 72 counties have recorded enrollment declines in the latest figures from the state’s Department of Instruction, leading to a net loss of 14,087 students.

“I think the factors include lower birth rates and more choices for students,” said Mike Johnson, superintendent of the Eau Claire Area School District (ECASD).

The district, which had 10,533 students this year compared to 12,523 students in 2019, will get less funding since enrollment helps determine the amount of state support, according to the article.

“Every year I’ve been superintendent we’ve dropped enrollment,” Johnson said. “In Wisconsin, students equal revenue and we have to be very cognizant every year of our projections.”

Meanwhile, districts are struggling to find teachers to reach the declining number of students. As previously reported by The Lion, emergency teacher licensing has increased by 20% since 2022.

Teachers with emergency licenses typically fall into two categories: those without formal education training, and those who have some training but are taking on roles “for which they are not yet licensed,” according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum.

“The general public should understand that teachers are increasingly less likely to be lifelong career educators who were trained in a school of education, and are more likely second-career educators or other nontraditionally trained individuals,” the forum explained.

‘A flexible, personalized environment’

However, three counties bucked the trend of downward enrollment – particularly Dane County, which grew by 198 students, the news article reported.

“The jump came from the McFarland School District, which added 678 students overall, mostly in its virtual high school program,” Corrine Hess wrote for the radio station.

The virtual school is part of Wisconsin Virtual Academies, which argues more families in the Badger State are choosing alternative educational options.

“We offer a flexible, personalized environment where students can adapt to extenuating circumstances,” said Sara Cutler, the program’s executive director. “We are proud to offer equitable access to a high-quality, future-focused education that meets students exactly where they are.”