Certified Enrollment

October 1 is the official 'Count Day' in schools across the state where we get our first glimpse of enrollment and begin to solve for base funding for the fiscal year set to begin on July 1 (FY 2028). However, during the last legislative session, a second 'Count Day' was added, which will happen on January 15. These two numbers will be averaged, and that number will become the base number in the finance formula. The reason this second count day was added, at least according to the legislature was to ensure more precise funding. The reality for Hudson though, and for many schools like us is that it will result in a decrease in enrollment, and by proxy funding. Particularly when considering the fact that first semester ends with the calendar year and those seniors who graduate at mid-term will not be on the second count.

Notwithstanding that fact, our certified enrollment is down this year by 10.14 students (that's before we factor in those handful of students who are graduating at midterm). At roughly $8,200 per student, that is roughly $91,000 in funding we'll need to address in the next budget cycle. Truth be told, this was unexpected. When asked to speculate, the primary theory rests largely on economic reasons. Anecdotally, there are houses currently on the market in Hudson that, a few years ago simply would not be. Coupled with the rising costs of consumer goods, increases in gasoline, and ubiquitous school choice options, it probably shouldn't be too surprising. Nonetheless, the next budget cycle will undoubtedly require some adjustments. 

However, in the final analysis it is far too soon to be contemplating the FY 2028 budget. Remember, certified enrollment considers resident students only: not open enrolled. When considering the overall number of students served, it is essentially a 'wash'. Yet the reason we perseverate so much on certified enrollment is that it is much more stable. Open enrolled students tend to wax and wane throughout the school year, and as such the funding is a bit more fluid. So then, when considering preschool through twelfth grade enrollment, the district is currently serving 924 students, which is the same as last year. Kindergarten through twelfth grade enrollment on October 1 was 874 students, which is below expectations and 3 fewer than one year ago. 

Again, certified enrollment describes students with a physical address of Hudson and includes students who attend school in Hudson or open enroll to another public-school district. Our certified number is down 10.14 students from last year. The basic calculation is the number of resident students attending in the local district, plus the number of resident students attending another public-school district. The BEDS count, on the other hand considers students who are served in the school district. The basic calculation here is resident students attending our school district, plus those who are open enrolled into Hudson. In this case, there is a net decrease of 2.84 students over last year from 880.74 to 877.90. This result was unexpected.

The number of students open enrolling out of Hudson has also increased from 71.30 to 78.30 with most choosing Cedar Falls (34). The second spot belongs to Gladbrook-Reinbeck, with (12), followed by (11) participating in an online option and (11) in Waterloo. The remaining OE out students are attending Dike-New Hartford, Union, or Iowa Falls.

There are 198 students open enrolling into Hudson, compared to 184 from a year ago. Waterloo continues to lead, with (122) students open enrolling into Hudson, up from (117) a year ago. Our data suggests (20) students taking advantage of the ESA program, down from (21) from a year ago. The primary takeaway is that a net positive of 81 students (those open enrolled in minus those open enrolled out) is a very good sign for the district.  

We had 23 students who were enrolled last year but have subsequently transferred out or moved to another school district. This compares to 41 students who moved out last year and would suggest a more transient population of learners.

Elementary grade levels remain the largest, with 4 sections per grade level from grades K-4. As the district plans for the 2027-2028 school year, it would be wise to staff the school appropriately to match enrollment. In so doing, opportunities to move some of the smaller 4 section elementary grade levels to 3 sections should be considered. Previous projections did not anticipate this turn in enrollment, but the good news is there is time to make course corrections prior to creating fiscal stress on the district.

Enrollment projections are calculated based on a cohort methodology that uses a five-year rolling average to determine kindergarten size. Over the last 5 years, the kindergarten has averaged 77 students; while in the last 10 years it has averaged 67. With this methodology, estimates from prior years are left static since there is no algorithm to accurately predict transfers in or out of the district. If these projections were come to fruition, we will reach our high-water mark of 962 in 2031-2032. Even so, it is entirely reasonable, and could be argued that the kindergarten projections are overstated.  

To read more about our enrollment and see future trends, please visit the 'About Us' page of our website.