5 takeaways from USD 418 school board meeting
Sobering enrollment data

From Monday nights meeting:
1. Enrollment Projected to Continue Steep Decline
A demographic study presented to the USD 418 Board of Education on Monday projects a continued decline in student enrollment over the next decade. The district, which had 2,477 students in the 2018-19 school year, has already dropped to 2,112 and is projected to fall to around 2,000 by the 2029-30 school year. The report attributes the trend to several factors, including a lower birth rate, an aging population staying in their homes longer, and a net loss from students migrating out of the district. Officials noted this is not unique to McPherson, but part of a statewide and national trend, affecting even large suburban districts.
A surprising takeaway from the demographic report was the declining "yield rate" from local housing. This means that for every 100 single-family homes in McPherson, fewer students are being generated than in the past. In the 2015-16 school year, 100 single-family homes produced 38 students; that number has now fallen to 33. The demographer concluded this is due to an aging community whose children have graduated, as well as younger families having fewer children. Even as new housing units are built, the lower yield rate means they are not expected to have a substantial positive impact on district enrollment; in fact, the demographer noted it would take double the current pace of building to begin offsetting the decline.
2. District Faces $452,000 Budget Deficit
McPherson Public Schools will begin the fiscal year with a projected deficit of $452,000, a direct result of declining enrollment and rising costs. The loss of roughly 100 students from the previous year will result in a $300,000 reduction in the general fund and a $150,000 loss in the supplemental general fund. Despite proactive savings of approximately $740,000 achieved through absorbing staff positions and operational adjustments, these cuts were not enough to offset the revenue loss combined with a $130,000 increase in property insurance and a significant $614,000 rise in special education costs. The administration noted this is the first time in recent memory they have started a year by briefing the board on a deficit, highlighting the financial urgency.
3. Staffing and Budgets Face Scrutiny Amid Cuts
With 80% of the district’s budget dedicated to personnel, the board acknowledged that addressing the financial shortfall will require looking at everything, including staffing. The administration has already absorbed some positions to generate savings for the upcoming year. Board members also initiated a call to scrutinize all operational spending, from building-level budgets to travel for conferences, tasking administrators to "really hone in on necessities". While emphasizing the desire to remain competitive with wages, the board faces the difficult task of balancing budget realities with the needs of students and staff.
4. Report Reveals "Underutilized" School Buildings
The district’s school buildings are significantly underutilized and will become even more so as enrollment declines, according to a functional capacity study. Currently, the district-wide building utilization is under 77%, well below the "ideal" range of 85-90%. The high school is the most underused facility at just 63.2% of its functional capacity. Projections indicate that by the 2029-30 school year, overall utilization is expected to drop below 70%. The district currently has space for over 3,100 students but is projected to house only about 2,000 within five years, prompting board members to state that the district may have "too many buildings".
5. Future of School Facilities on the Table
The stark reality of declining enrollment and under-used buildings led to a frank discussion about the future of the district’s facilities. With building capacity for over 3,100 students and a projected enrollment of just 2,000, board member Bill Grove stated, “We've got to deal with that and that means we have too many buildings in my opinion.” The conversation indicated that all options are on the table, including repurposing buildings for new programs or consolidating schools. This discussion will be a central part of a new facility study, with architects scheduled to be on campuses next week to begin their assessments.
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