Enrollment data presented
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

The first figures that will help decide if schools will be closed in Conejo Valley Unified surprised no one: Enrollment in elementary schools is dropping.

Jeff Baarstad, assistant superintendent, business services, presented the numbers at a CVUSD school board meeting late last month.

The data broke down enrollment in elementary, middle and high schools over a span of five years- - 2005 to 2010. Elementary enrollment dropped from 10,154 to 9,559 in fall 2006. According to information from principals, that number will drop to 9,169 in the fall.

"That's around 1,000 elementary school kids in just two years," Baarstad said. "That's two schools' (worth). The following years aren't nearly as significant."

Enrollment is projected to decrease another 135 in 2008, 77 in 2009 and 151 in 2010.

"In general," Baarstad said, "elementary schools are declining, but there are some schools that aren't reflecting that. For example, Banyan is dropping, but it's not all even. Dos Vientos and Lang Ranch are staying robust."

This year, middle school enrollment increased by 178, and high school enrollment went up by 236. Next year, the numbers are slated to increase 80 and 49, respectively. In the following years, projections show middle and high school populations beginning to decrease.

The total numbers are a compromise of two projections. One takes into account planned future development while the other doesn't. The two numbers are averaged. Total school enrollments look to decrease 217 in 2007, 393 in 2008, 343 in 2009 and 308 in 2010.

Baarstad said the numbers could be much worse but are moderated by 30 percent because of the district's choice to allow some out-of-district transfers.