By Matt Gleckman

According to the most recent data, collected Friday, September 17, enrollment within the Montezuma-Cortez Re-1 school district dropped from 3,511 students to 3,373, a decline of 138 pupils.

Despite an apparent increase in first-grade students, Bill Thompson, Re-1 superintendent, stated that the total enrollment numbers began to drop last year, although he is not sure what is causing the loss.

"A few of the kids from last year had parents who worked on the pipeline project and when the job was completed many of the students moved away," said Thompson. "I don’t think this can account for the entire loss, though."

"Although the numbers show a drop of 138 students, those figures are a little deceiving since many of those students are part time," Thompson elaborated at Tuesday’s school board meeting. "The actual loss of funding is equal to roughly 100 full-time-equivalent (FTE) students."

The school district, which receives $4,789 in government funding per student, will suffer a loss of approximately $478,900 as a result of this drop in enrollment.

Because of the particularly large first-grade classes, an unusual problem has developed. Lack of students and funding has caused the school to watch the budget spending carefully, yet first graders are in need of additional classroom space and teaching personnel. This is especially true at Downey Elementary, where first grade enrollment has grown to 33 students.

In an attempt to save on additional costs, Downey’s library will be moved to the basement, leaving space for another classroom, an idea that was supported by Thompson and approved by the school board. Other options included buying a used portable building for $27,000-$30,00, buying a new portable for $40,000, or adding two classrooms to the school for $180,000.

Thompson said that there is enough money left over in the district’s beginning fund to cover the loss in per-capita funding for this year. Enrollment, however, is something that is going to have to be closely monitored over the next couple years. If drops in enrollment like this continue, school programs and personnel could be affected.

Jim Riffey, Re-1 business manager, explained that because of an influx of government money late last year, very little in the budget should be affected by this drop.

"Every year, the government reimburses the school for students who live on reservation or government land and whose parents don’t pay property taxes," said Riffey.

"It was the teachers’ hope that if the funds reached a certain level, the money could be used to provide raises. Now, however, we may need to use the carry over to cover school expenses."